Week 8 | Nanotech + Art |

This week's lectures focus on nanotechnology, and this is a completely new field for me. When I was viewing the third lecture, Dr. Gimzewski introduced many examples of nanotechnology and art in ancient time, and I was amazed by how the nanoparticles take such a special role in creating art.

Lycurgus cup

The first art is the Lycurgus cup in British. The image above shows two cups with different color, and they are actually one cup. Using the nano-size gold particles, the cup looks green under daylight and looks red when illuminated from inside. This piece reminded me of the cup in the modern time that will change color under the different temperature of the water.

Another example of using nanoparticles is the beautiful stained glass. When you choosing the shape and colors of nanoparticles and arranged them, the nanoparticles can make the glass have the marvelous and shinning quality that can not be achieved by the regular pigment.

Stained Glass

Then he summarized the properties of nanoparticles and the difference with normal scale. Due to all these special qualities of nanoscale particles, they can have all the beneficial effects. For example, the silver nanoparticles can apply in our body wear like socks and they are antimicrobial and nanoparticles can even destroy bacteria.

 Comparing chart

There are countless applications of nanoparticles in our lives: Medince, manufacturing, environment, to keep bacteria away, to keep food fresh in packaging bags, refrigerator, and all others. 

Applications

Scientists also adopt the nanostructure in gecko and lotus to replicate the property of adhesive and water-proving. The lotus leaf effect is using the nanostructure on the lotus leaf to make water running away from the leaf, which is the hydrophobic effect.

You can see from the bumps in the nanostructure changes the wetting of water, so water will just run off from the surface. Scientists use this property to develop self-cleaning fabrics and containment proof clothing.

Self-cleaning cloth

So apparently Nanotechnology provided scientist and artists a new field to explore their talent and thoughts, and there are more nanoproducts and applications emerge. Although there are doubts and potential harm, we have to admit that nanotechnology became an important part of the manufacture and artistic field.

Works Cited

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>.

“NANO - Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) Exhibition.” NISE Network, www.nisenet.org/catalog/nano-los-angeles-county-museum-art-lacma-exhibition.

Mbonyiryivuze, Agnes, et al. “Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Biosynthesis for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Application: Review.” Physics and Materials Chemistry, Science and Education Publishing, 25 Aug. 2015, pubs.sciepub.com/pmc/3/1/3/.

Gimzewski, Jim. “Nanotech for Artists.” YouTube, YouTube, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=7.

“Magic Color Changing Mug.” BARGAINS CART, bargainscart.com/product/magic-color-changing-mug/.

The New York Times; Images courtesy of the Stained Glass Museum, Britain. “The First Nanotechnologists.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 21 Feb. 2005, archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2005/02/21/science/20050222_NANO1_GRAPHIC.html.