Week 8: Nanotech and Art

Scale of Nanoparticles

Nanotechnology is a groundbreaking new science that is revolutionizing many public sectors. Prior to encountering this week's material, the only thing I knew about nanotech is that it dealt with very small particles. I  did not know much about the applications of nanotechnology, and how quickly its influence is growing. A typical nanoparticle is about 1/100,000 the size of the width of a human hair (EFSA). With particles this small, there are so many possibilities for manipulating them. Additionally, when you make pre-existing molecules smaller so that they are on the nano scale, it can actually change them in many ways. 

When nanosized, inert material can become a catalyst, and even stable material can become combustible. It can also change the appearance of material, such as going from opaque to transparent. This happens when nanosizing zinc oxide, a material in sunscreen (Gimzewski). On its smaller scale, it appears clear instead of white. Artists have used these same principles throughout history, such as the Romans using nano-sized gold particles that take on two different colors depending on if light is shining through it. 

1600 Year old Roman Nanotechnology

In present day, artists are using nanotechnology to create molecular sculptures landscapes, nano imagery, and much more. Nanosizing particles has also been an important advantage for art conservation. What technological or artistic advancements will nanotechnology create in the next 100 years? 

David R. Newton's "Nanotechnology" 

References

 

1. “1,600-Year-Old Goblet Shows Romans Used Nanotechnology.” The Epoch Times, www.theepochtimes.com/article/1600-year-old-goblet-shows-that-the-romans-used-nanotechnology-807475. 

2. Apte, Poornima. “5 Ways Nanotech Affects Everyday Life - ASME.” Www.asme.org, 20 June 2023, www.asme.org/topics-resources/content/5-ways-nanotech-affects-everyday-life.

3. EFSAchannel. “What Is Nanotechnology?” YouTube, 4 July 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQhhcgn8YZo. 

4. Gimzewski, James. "Introduction to Nanotechnology for Artists." Lecture video via Bruin Learn. 

5. https://plus.google.com/+Nanoart21Org. “NanoArt: Nanotechnology and Art.” Nanoart.org, 1 Apr. 2017, nanoart.org/nanoart-nanotechnology-art/.

Images

1. 1,600-Year-Old Goblet Shows Romans Used Nanotechnology.” The Epoch Times,

     www.theepochtimes.com/article/1600-year-old-goblet-shows-that-the-romans-used-nanotechnology-

    807475. 

2. Jarvie, Helen. “Nanoparticle | Definition, Size Range, & Applications.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/science/nanoparticle. 

3. Newton, David R. “Nanotechnology | Art UK.” Artuk.org, artuk.org/discover/artworks/nanotechnology-179904.