Week 8: NanoTech + Art

Nanotechnology deals with a realm completely outside of natural perception and intuition. Our understanding of physics for explaining the behavior of matter at the large scale differs from the laws of physics that governs matter at the nanometer scale. Since nanotechnology deals with such an abstract realm, the imagination of artists is required to help visualize and understand what is occurring at the "bottom." Many visualizations of the nanometer realm are abstractions based on models created from proven theories. The inventions of the scanning tunneling microscope and atomic force microscope have allowed us to accurately visualize matter at the atomic scale. Below is a scanning tunneling microscope image of graphite.

STM image of graphite

The ability to visualize and manipulate matter at the atomic scale gave artists a new medium for expression. Below are two pieces of nano art.

Stadium Corral by Crommie, Luz, and Eigler

Media: Iron on Copper

Carbon Monoxide Man by Zeppenfeld and Eigler

Media: Carbon Monoxide on Platinum

What caught my attention in this week's lecture was the ability to alter a substance's color by manipulating the size of its nanoparticles. The same material can have different properties at the nanometer scale from their properties at the conventional scale. The knowledge of this fact opens many doors for the applications of nanotechnology. I was unaware of and surprised by nanotechnology's prevalence in industry and my own everyday life. One common application is the use of silver nanoparticles' antibacterial properties in modern sportswear.

Socks with silver nanoparticles for killing odor-causing bacteria

Nanotechnology has also been applied in numerous other fields including but not limited to medicine, electronics, foods, fuels, space, and textiles. Nanotechnology is a young field and its potential has not been determined yet, allowing artists and scientists alike to dream of new discoveries, theories, and inventions.

Works Cited

 Feynman, Richard. "Plenty of Room at the Bottom." American Physical Society Annual Meeting. American Physical Society. California Institute of Technology, Pasadena. 29 Dec. 1959. Lecture.

Gimzewski, Jim, and Victoria Vesna. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm>.

 Jackson, Alan. "TEACHER’S GUIDE ATOMIC SCALE MICROSCOPY/POWERS OF TEN." Teacher's Guide to Atomic Scale Microscopy and Powers of Ten. Web. 24 May 2015.

 "MADE IN IBM LABS: The World's Tiniest Art on Display." IBM News Room. IBM. Web. 24 May 2015.

 "Nanotechnology Applications: A Variety of Uses." Nanotechnology Applications. Hawk's Perch Technical Writing, LLC. Web. 24 May 2015.

 "What Is Nanotechnology?" What Is Nanotechnology? United States National Nanotechnology Initiative. Web. 24 May 2015.