Week 8: Nanotech & Art

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This week’s topic was extremely interesting to me and I think Professor Gimzewski did a great job of introducing us to the world of nanotechnology. After watching the videos for this week and doing some quick research, I came to understand (and accept) that “Nanotechnology is an interdisciplinary field so you really have to have the scientists from different disciplines working together to get something really novel” (Margit, 2021).

I have heard of nanotechnology in medicine and its importance in developing treatments for various patients. For example, “Nanorobots can be ingested or injected and deliver themselves to the disease site, take pictures and send them to the doctor or patient” (Galand, 2022). These types of things used to be considered science fiction; but now, this is a reality.

Video 1: Dr. Ben Miles on nanobots and medicine.
Credit: Dr Ben Miles on YouTube

When it comes to art, I was fascinated by Dr. Gimzewski’s demonstration of his student producing the word “UCLA” by moving carbon monoxide molecules around. Looking at the UCLA molecule artwork reminded me of an animation by IBM in which they move atoms around to form each animation frame. The following video showcases the abovementioned animation by IBM.

Video 2: The world's smallest animation made using atoms.
Credit: IBM on YouTube

I was stunned to learn that “NanoArt” is an established term currently used in the industry. NanoArt is “artwork done on an atomic and molecular scale” (Grundhauser, 2015). While looking for examples of NanoArt, I came across the smallest sculpture in human history titled “Trust”. This piece depicts a naked woman about 80 microns by 100 microns in size. This amazing piece of art is “so small that they can only be viewed through an electron microscope” (Griffin, 2014). It is truly amazing how far our technology has advanced.

Image 1: The sculpture "Trust" standing on a strand of human hair.
Credit: Independent UK

It appears that nanotechnology is an exciting field that is advancing in many directions. After all, “In the past few decades, nanotech has found a steadily growing number of applications in everything from computing to textiles” (Buntz, 2014). I am excited to see what nanotechnology has in store for us for the future.


References:

Buntz, Brian. “10 Nanotech Breakthroughs You Should Know about (Updated).” Www.mddionline.com, 18 Feb. 2014, www.mddionline.com/rd/10-nanotech-breakthroughs-you-should-know-about-updated-.

Dr Ben Miles. “How Nano Robots Will Change Medicine Forever | NanoSyrinx.” YouTube, 13 Nov. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t1SDA2Jqak&ab_channel=DrBenMiles. Accessed 26 May 2024.

Galand, Antoine. “Council Post: Three Ways Nanotechnology Is Changing the Healthcare Industry.” Forbes, 20 July 2022, www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/07/20/three-ways-nanotechnology-is-changing-the-healthcare-industry/?sh=283c9edc5be8. Accessed 26 May 2024.

Griffin, Andrew. “The Smallest Sculptures Ever Made: Nano-Scale Creations Are Dwarfed by Even a Human Hair | the Independent.” The Independent, 17 Nov. 2014, www.independent.co.uk/tech/the-smallest-sculptures-ever-made-nanoscale-creations-are-dwarfed-by-even-a-human-hair-9865604.html. Accessed 26 May 2024.

Grundhauser, Eric. “How to Create “NanoArt” Masterpieces by Manipulating Molecules.” Atlas Obscura, 2 Sept. 2015, www.atlasobscura.com/articles/how-to-create-nanoart-masterpieces-by-manipulating-molecules.

IBM. “A Boy and His Atom: The World’s Smallest Movie.” YouTube, 30 Apr. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSCX78-8-q0&ab_channel=IBM.

Margit, Maya. “Nanotechnology and Art Collide in Mind-Bending New Israeli Museum (VIDEO REPORT) - the Media Line.” The Media Line, 11 July 2021, themedialine.org/life-lines/nanotechnology-and-art-collide-in-mind-bending-new-israeli-museum/. Accessed 26 May 2024.

“Nanotech Jim Pt2.” YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEp6t0v-v9c&ab_channel=UCOnline.

Comments

  1. Tristan NgoMay 26, 2024 at 7:26 PM

    Hi Amin, I enjoyed reading your blog and your insight into how nanotechnology has become an interdisciplinary field that finds its uses in many fields. One of those fields that I found the most interesting was the medical field and how these nanorobots can go inside humans and provide valuable information about the disease. I also agree that nanoart such as the sculpture "Trust" really highlights the intersection between art and nanotechnology.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Gillian ChengMay 26, 2024 at 9:17 PM

    Hi Amin,

    I also found it fascinating how nanotechnology can be used as a tool to cure diseases. Particularly, I agree with what you said about how what was science fiction is now reality. It makes me think about how the cooperation between art and science can make the impossible possible. However, it also makes me wonder about the effects nanotechnology will have on our future, whether it be a benefit or detriment to our society.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sean VuMay 26, 2024 at 11:27 PM

    Hi Amin,

    I like your connection between nanotechnology and medicine. I wrote about something similar that we read about called the PillCam which is a miniature camera that is meant to be ingested. I think nanotechnology has the capacity to revolutionize the medical field and push the boundaries of invasive treatment to allow us to treat diseases that require much more granularity then we have today. This was a cool connection that I thought was applicable to your article!

    ReplyDelete

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