Nanotech and Art

This week’s topic of nanotechnology has been my favorite in terms of the science aspect and its application. As mentioned in lecture nanotechnology can be found in every aspect of our life, from the clothes that we wear to the food that we consume. The most important message I received from the lectures and readings is the fact that nanotechnology has broaden the areas in which one can explore and discover. It’s a new field for scientists to discover and a new medium for artists to work with. The Leonardo Space Art Project Working group invokes us to go outside the box (Levrier 1996). The individuals within this project remind us that we need to broaden areas in which we work in and they are pushing the boundaries to space.

Nanotechnology is improving many areas of life and one of them being the medical field. We have learned that nanodrugs have decreased the toxicity of certain drugs making them useful once again. Nanoparticles are making blood clots visible by identifying a protein called fibrin which is commonly associated with blood clots (Nanowiki 2011). Additionally new nano-based tools are being created in order combat various diseases (Nano wiki 2011).

One of the most interesting topics within the nanotech field is taking nature, animals and plants, and mimicking their properties and recreating them through nanotechnology. The example brought up was the lotus flower and recreating the run off of water onto other daily objects we use such as mirrors. Nanoparticles are found in other animals such as snakes which make them slippery. The ability to use properties of nature and recreate them in everyday objects can be endless. 

Citation:

Fischer, Jonas. "Heat Treating with Nanoparticles Has Arrived - The Heat Is On." The Heat Is On. 20 June 2014. Web. 21 May 2015. < http://www.bakerfurnace.com/blog/heat-treating-nanoparticles-arrived/>.

Levrier, Guy. "Leonardo Space Art Project Visioneers." Leonardo Space Art Project Visioneers. MIT Press. Web. 21 May 2015.< http://spaceart.org/leonardo/vision.html>.

"Financing a Space Business - GeekWire." GeekWire. Web. 21 May 2015.<http://www.geekwire.com/calendar-event/financing-a-space-business/>.

"June 2015." Discover Magazine. Discover, 29 Mar. 2012. Web. 21 May 2015.<http://discovermagazine.com/galleries/zen-photo/a/amazing-animal-nanostructures>.

"New Nanoparticles Make Blood Clots Visible." NanoWiki. 7 Feb. 2011. Web. 21 May 2015.<http://nanowiki.info/#%5B%5BNew%20nanoparticles%20make%20blood%20clots%20visible%5D%5D> .

"Programmable Bio-Nano-Chip as Medical Diagnostic Tool." NanoWiki. 2011. Web. 21 May 2015.<http://nanowiki.info/#%5B%5BProgrammable%20Bio-Nano-Chip%20as%20Medical%20Diagnostic%20Tool%5D%5D>.