Week 8 Blog
Nanotech and Art
Nanotechnology
In today's time, science and technology has become about what we can make happen in as little space as possible. Nanotechnology is basically the idea that scientists can fit technology into a space as small as 1 to 100 nanometers, which for the human mind is almost unimaginable. “A sheet of newspaper is about 100,000 nanometers thick (Nano). This fact really does show that the nanometer is a unit of space that cannot be comprehended in ordinary everyday life terms. For nanotechnology to work, scientists had to reinvent how science works and it has really pushed science over the edge in the past century (Vesna).
It is interesting to explore the reasons why making things smaller leads to bigger things. In the movie Making Stuff, the narrator pulled apart a camera. The so-called brain of the camera was extremely small compared to the rest of the device, but it was the reason that the camera was able to work the way that it did (PBS). The small size allows for the camera to ultimately drop in cost and for the camera to work more efficiently.
Camera, Inside, Mechanics
Artists find ways to use nanotechnology and have become pioneers in the field. ““The unique works developed for art in the age of nanotechnology operate at the intersection of art, science and technology, demonstrating innovative examples of contemporary art and scientific collaboration” (Anonymous). Boo Chapple, an artist working on nanotechnology, made speakers out of bones. He wanted to work on something “occurring beyond our human capacity to sense, and to amplify these interactions in such a way that they are able to be effectively experienced at the human scale” (Anonymous). Researchers of nanotechnology can learn from Chapple because he used nanotechnology to give insight into what is happening.
Nanotechnology can serve extremely meaningful purpose, sometimes being the difference between life and death. Nanoparticles were created to make blood clots on wounds to make sure that it reduces the blood lost in injury (Cottingham). At the end of the day, the real reason for science is to improve the living experience of human beings, and to help those human beings to live life more safely and happily. Nanotechnology is a great example of that.
Nanoparticles Can Save Lives By Controlling Serious Blood Loss.
References:
Anonymous. "Art in the age of nanotechnology." Art.Base. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2018.
Cottingham, Katie . "Nanoparticles that speed blood clotting may someday save lives." American Chemical Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2018.
“Camera, Inside, Mechanics.” Family Love Rainbow · Free Vector Graphic on Pixabay, pixabay.com/en/camera-inside-
Nano. "What is Nanotechnology?" What is Nanotechnology? | Nano. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2018.
“Nanoparticles Can Save Lives By Controlling Serious Blood Loss.” Medindia, Medindia.net, 26 Aug. 2016, Web. 27 May 2018.
“Nanotechnology.” TRANSHUMANISM NEWS, 13 Oct. 2015, transhumanismnews.wordpress.
PBS. "Making Stuff." PBS. Public Broadcasting Service, n.d. Web. 27 May 2018.
Vesna, Victoria . "Nanotechnology + Art ." 27 May. 2018. Lecture.
It is really amazing to think about the infinite amount of applications for nanotechnology. Not only can it be used for scientific purposes, but also in artwork. Not only do cameras run on what seems like such a small so-called brain, but most devices work the same way. Newer phone and laptops run on seemingly small computer chips that take up less than 5% of the computers inner hardware; yet, they are the main reason the devices work. Nanotechnology is truly astonishing.
ReplyDeleteI agree that nanotechnology has really forced scientists to rethink a lot of what was thought in the past. We're living in a very cool time in that we're able to see how this technology progresses. I liked your example about cameras. Good post.
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