Week 8 Post

The first thing that popped out at me when beginning to discuss nanotechnology and art is just how small the scale that nanotechnology is working on. Dr. Gimzewski explained the scale using examples such as a tennis ball, which is approximately 100,000,000 nanometers across. So when nanotechnology is referred to, this science is clearly not visible to the human eye.

One very cool example of the combination of art and nanotechnology is the example of nanoparticles in ancient materials. “Roman artists found a way to introduce nano sized gold particles,” (Gimzewski) which had properties different from the gold that we have come to know. This use of gold in Roman pottery 400 A.C. was green in sunlight, but turned red when illuminated from the inside out. Contrary to the belief that nanotechnology is new to the present time, the romans discovered a way to use this tech a long time ago.

Another example that I was unaware of and probably pertains to my life in a big way is the use of silver nanoparticles. Dr. Gimzewski explained “silver nanoparticles have a antimicrobial effect,” so they’re used in a lot of sports equipment such as socks and underwear and can be worn for a long time and never smell. These nanoparticles can penetrate the bacterium and destroy them, making them useful for other things such as stay fresh bags and food packaging, and even major companies such as Samsung are using these particles in their refrigerators.

            I find it very interesting that there is an entire world not visible to the human eye that surrounds us everyday. At the pace that nanotech is advancing, it may very well be an integral part of our society, soon, in fields such as electronics and medicine. I also found it interesting that our ancestors discovered these nano particles such a long time ago and integrated them into their artwork.

"Activist Post." : The Arrival of Nanotech Medicine and What It Means for Health and Privacy. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.activistpost.com/2012/01/arrival-of-nanotech-medicine-and-what.html>.

"Nanotech Jim Pt1." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE>.

"Nanotech Jim Pt2." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEp6t0v-v9c>.

"Nanotech Jim Pt3." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0HCNiU_108>.

"Smithsonian.com." Smithsonian Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013. <http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/This-1600-Year-Old-Goblet-Shows-that-the-Romans-Were-Nanotechnology-Pioneers-220563661.html>.