Week 8: Nanotech + Art

Quantum Dot display technology

This week's unit demonstrated not only the countless ways in which nanotechnology already affects our daily lives, but also the ways in which it could improve our lives. I found it particularly interesting that nanotechnology applies to all of the concepts and fields we’ve discussed in previous units, everything from medicine, and neuroscience, to mathematics and robotics. As Dr. Gimzewski discussed in his lectures, nanoparticles could revolutionize medicine because of their ability to selectively penetrate and target certain cells and chemical receptors in the body. I found the ‘quantum dots’ he discussed to be particularly fascinating. Not only could these revolutionize the fabrication of cosmetics, and reduce the use of harmful chemicals in those products, but they could also change the way in which we mix and create colors in an art context. Quantum dots are already being implemented in the newest kinds of TV’s and displays and could potentially allow us to tap into a new level of manipulation of color for painters, photographers, or any kind of artist who works with an electronic display in the creation of their work. 

Some of the applications of nanotech

In their paper on nanoscience, Gimzewski and Vesna propose an interesting idea about nanoscience and its relationship to other fields: “Nanoscience not only requires input from practically every scientific discipline, but it also needs direct and intense collaboration with the humanities and the arts.” (Gimzewski & Vesna 2003). Nanoscience is definitely rooted in the discoveries of physics, chemistry, and most other forms of physical sciences that predate its inception. But I think this statment is suggesting a need for collaboration with arts because this is how nanoscience will be directed in its application. While chemistry and physics may help us learn about how to develop new nanoparticles, or offer clues to some of their functions, it is the arts and culture of humanity that will help us find the best ways in which these technologies can be applied. 

Nanoscience can be seen as an amalgamation of many scientific fields focused purely on scale. Dr. Gimzewski’s lecture showed us many ways in which manipulating the scale of different elements and compounds can completely change their properties. I find it interesting that scale is also a pivotal component in art. This offers a strong parallel between what nanoscience is focused on achieving and what artists have been manipulating in their creations for thousands of years. The earliest examples of nanotechnology in the Roman’s use of gold nanoparticles is a great example of this. It is inspiring both artistically and intellectually just how significant the manipulation of scale can be.

Nanoscience is focused on scale

References: 

Alexis, Frank, et al. "New frontiers in nanotechnology for cancer treatment." Urologic Oncology: Seminars and Original Investigations. Vol. 26. No. 1. Elsevier, 2008.

Dabbousi, B. O., et al. "(CdSe) ZnS core-shell quantum dots: synthesis and characterization of a size series of highly luminescent nanocrystallites." The Journal of Physical Chemistry B 101.46 (1997): 9463-9475.

Gimzewski, Jim, and Victoria Vesna. "The Nanoneme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact and Fiction in the Construction of a New Science." Technoetic Arts Technoetic Arts 1.1 (2003): 7-24. Web.

"What Are Quantum Dots, and Why Do I Want Them in My TV?" Wired.com. Conde Nast Digital, n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.

Wiechers, Johann W. "Cosmetics & Toiletries." Skin Penetration by Quantum Dots. N.p., 9 Dec. 2008. Web. 27 May 2015.