Week 8: Nanotechnology + Art

One of the most striking and different aspects of nanotechnology is its lack of visibility. Nano is Greek for dwarf; one nanometer is 10-9 meters. Nanometers represent the portion of life that is not seen.

According, to the Visual Teaching Alliance, approximately 65% of the population are visible learners. Nanotechnology, I believe, is used to bridge the gap between the seen and unseen so that people can understand and give meaning to objects.

IBM's Carbon Nanotube 

This is seen in the field of chemistry: carbon nanotubes are used to represent the invisible field of the atoms. In reality, they are more of a cloud of electron particles. Yet it is this representation -- this work of art -- allows scientists to understand and view it better, and ultimately, use it for good.

Sommerer and Miggoneau's project 

This is furthermore seen in the work of Christa Sommerer and Laurent Miggoneau. They are trying to make the nano-world reachable by touch. A person sticks their hand into a highly technical box that uses wireless magnetic force-feedback, which allows the person to actually touch the invisible nanotechnology. This in turn creates an ever changing invisible sculpture. Since the world is predominantly filled with visual learners, it challenges scientists and artists to be allow everyday participants to view and experience nanotechnology in a way that still feels relevant and familiar.

These results are additionally advanced by examining nanostructures. Scientists are particularly fascinated with the gecko’s feet. They have over a billion tiny hairs on the bottom that are approximately 200 nanometers in both size and width. They allow the gecko to stick themselves to a ceiling without falling off. By researching this, scientists are hoping to magnify the result so that humans could use this ability as well.

Adhesion of gecko's feet (Courtesy of Nat Geo) 

The difficulty lies nanotechnology’s extremely miniscule size, but as Richard Feynman points out “There’s plenty of room at the bottom.” Scientists are exploring new aspects of technology due to the unique nature of nanotechnology, and are in turn, on their way to creating radical inventions. These inventions are significantly furthered by the visual representations of nanotechnology, or the art. The visualization of chemical fields or the picture of the adhesion of geckos has enabled scientists to study, learn, and develop.

Sources:

"Art in the age of nanotechnology." Art.Base. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2017.

  

Hodgkins, Kelly. "Moore's Law back on track with IBM carbon nanotube breakthrough." Digital Trends. N.p., 01 Oct. 2015. Web. 28 May 2017.

"Nanowerk Emerging Technology News." Nanowerk Nanotechnology portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2017.

"| Professional Development for Primary, Secondary & University Educators/Administrators." | Professional Development for Primary, Secondary & University Educators/Administrators. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2017.

Sirucek, Stefan. "How Geckos Turn Their Stickiness On and Off." National Geographic Society (blogs). N.p., 12 Aug. 2014. Web. 27 May 2017.

Uconlineprogram. "Nanotech Jim pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 27 May 2017.

Uconlineprogram. "Nanotech Jim pt3." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 27 May 2017.