Nanotechnology, the manipulation of technology at the molecular level, is the future of industry and society, in areas of science, such as health, energy, and technology, and in areas of art. It is amazing what can be used, even moreso engineered, that happens to be the size of a nanometer. Described in lecture were many amazing examples of how nanotechnology works and how it applies and relates to society today. Two hundred and sixty million pages of the Encyclopedia Britannica were written on a
pinhead by engraving beams of electrons under a microscope - each letter was smaller than the size of one atom. Pottery has been discovered to contain copper and silver nanoparticles, which give the art pieces their shine
effect. The type and size of nanoparticles also give glass mosaic windows their vibrant
colors that regular media cannot create. Self cleaning fabrics do not get dirty even when something falls on them. Similarly, self cleaning glass contains nanoparticles - as dirt sticks to glass, sunlight reacts with the nanoparticles, which the particles then break down the dirt particles on the surface of the glass, and can be washed off just with water since the glass is hydrophobic.
Nanotechnology appears naturally in nature and organisms as well. Gecko feet have an adaptation that can support the whole weight of the gecko with suction that does not require the use of liquids or surface tension. Companies are currently trying to form new adhesives that mimic the suctioned feet of a gecko for the convenience of humans. Nanophotonics of morpho butterflies make the tops of their wings appear blue as light hits them, when in actuality, the wings are black. I have seen this species myself in Costa Rica, where their wings beautifully glisten blue, and under their wings is a camouflage patterned brown.
I am sure that you have heard of the phrase, "diamonds are a girl’s best friend," although now it can have a new meaning behind it than the traditional classic art piece of jewelry. One of carbon's allotropes is a strong, tetrahedral molecule that forms at high temperatures that creates the diamond. Fluorescent nanodiamond particles can monitor biochemical processes to cancer cells in real-time, and also have a use in future dental work of bone decay.
More Relevant Links:
http://www.academia.edu/560444/Photonic_crystal_micro-and_nanostructures_in_iridescent_butterfly_wings
http://www.nano.gov/
http://www.nanotech-now.com/nanotechnology-art-gallery.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131023101054.htm
Works Cited:
Olney, Jennifer. "Stanford Redefines What It Means to Be Small." ABC7. N.p., 14 Apr. 2009. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/drive_to_discover&id=6755677>.
Nanotechnology appears naturally in nature and organisms as well. Gecko feet have an adaptation that can support the whole weight of the gecko with suction that does not require the use of liquids or surface tension. Companies are currently trying to form new adhesives that mimic the suctioned feet of a gecko for the convenience of humans. Nanophotonics of morpho butterflies make the tops of their wings appear blue as light hits them, when in actuality, the wings are black. I have seen this species myself in Costa Rica, where their wings beautifully glisten blue, and under their wings is a camouflage patterned brown.
I am sure that you have heard of the phrase, "diamonds are a girl’s best friend," although now it can have a new meaning behind it than the traditional classic art piece of jewelry. One of carbon's allotropes is a strong, tetrahedral molecule that forms at high temperatures that creates the diamond. Fluorescent nanodiamond particles can monitor biochemical processes to cancer cells in real-time, and also have a use in future dental work of bone decay.More Relevant Links:
http://www.academia.edu/560444/Photonic_crystal_micro-and_nanostructures_in_iridescent_butterfly_wings
http://www.nano.gov/
http://www.nanotech-now.com/nanotechnology-art-gallery.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131023101054.htm
Works Cited:
Olney, Jennifer. "Stanford Redefines What It Means to Be Small." ABC7. N.p., 14 Apr. 2009. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/drive_to_discover&id=6755677>.
Nanotech Jim Pt1. Jim Gimzewski. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
Nanotech Jim Pt2. Jim Gimzewski. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
Nanotech Jim Pt3. Jim Gimzewski. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
Nanotech Jim Pt4. Jim Gimzewski. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
Nanotech Jim Pt5. Jim Gimzewski. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 19 Nov. 2013.
"What
Is Nanotechnology?" Center for Responsible Nanotechnology. World
Care, n.d. Web. 21 Nov. 2013. <http://crnano.org/whatis.htm>.
Images:
Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <https://followingthebliss.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/gecko-adhesive-explained-biomimetic-millisystems-lab-uc-berkeley.jpg>.
Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://wallpapers.wallpapersdepo.net/free-wallpapers/3194/Morpho-Butterfly-in-Flight-Costa-Rica.jpg>.
Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://www.dentalimplantcr.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/dental-implants-of-nanodiamonds.jpg>.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHi Bianca,
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post and easy read blog! I really liked how you incorporated the lectures so well. You definitely hit the topic about nanotechonology and art in almost every sentence. Nanotechnology is not a recent thing since we know from history that ancient pottery used nanoparticles within their artwork. But it is becoming more prevalent in our lives such as the self-cleaning glass and how companies are trying to mimic the geckos feet sticking effect. You have shown that nano- is not a part of nature but it can be manipulated into products for our modern world. How would you say that nanotechnology influenced your life? Has it even at all? Is nanotechnology necessary for life improvements?
I thought you blog post this week was interesting, I particularly liked how you were able to connect different parts of lecture with your own personal experiences or commonly known sayings. I've seen butterflies as well, but I've never taken the time to really think of the biological reasons they appear the way they do. Additionally, I enjoyed learning more about the new use of diamonds, specifically nanodiamond particles. I realize in lecture that we covered gold and silver nanoparticles, but I didn't know diamond ones would have any particular uses, let alone cancer-related ones.
ReplyDelete