Week 8: NanoTech + Art

Nanotechnology has ushered forth new avenues in the realm of science. This new form of technology manipulates atomic matter in order to create and foster brand new engineered properties and applications. Hence, this important paradigm shift in innovation is ever changing and adaptable, meaning it may also establish an interconnectedness towards art as well. 

Nanotechnology 

Dr.Gimzewski from this week’s lecture describes experimental developments that truly kick started the impact of Nanotechnology; the scanning tunneling microscope by Binning and Rohrer is able to gage the surface of an object through feeling it at an atomic level/basis. This ability better allows for a more precise microscopic view; it was first noticed in relation to the silicon 7x7 reconstruction. This finding is attributed to the geometric intricacies that are infused within this silicon model that only the scanning mechanism could actually interpret/depict. As long as the surface is electrical-conducting, this niche tool is also able to dissolve air and liquids, while many scopes can only break down vacuums.

Scanning Tunneling Microscope

Art serves as a means of connection and communication; it can transcend language barriers and is important towards cultural and historical progression. In this way, Nanotechnology can serve as a method of art preservation and continue the cycle of growth that art pervades.

Nano-droplets known as micelles are used to extract dirt and built up muck from walls or paintings. These particles are simple to clean due to their considerably high surface area of nano-solvent which makes their interaction with the surfaces high or more active. This form of conservation was initially used in Italy in the Brancacci Chapel. Hydrocarbon oil, called surfactants, are able to minimize the surface tension seen amongst liquids and effectively disintegrate the filth to become trapped in the oil of nanoparticles. In chemistry, this is comparable to “like solvents dissolve like solvents”.

As a result, this interconnectedness between art and nanotechnology provides a new frontier for advancement and learning.

​​Cappella Brancacci

 

Lastly, this week's lecture material is what most influenced my understanding of Nanotechnology + Art. 

References

 (3 Images + 5 Sources):

Physics, M. (2015). Scanning Tunneling Microscope. Quantum Physics & Lasers (A Level). Mini Physics . Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://www.miniphysics.com/scanning-tunneling-microscope.html.

Sailko. (2009). Cappella brancacci . Wikimedia Commons. MediaWiki. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cappella_brancacci_00.JPG.

Sunipapramanik. (2017, May 12). Art Conservation and Nanotechnology: A wonderful confluence of arts and sciences. Sustainable Nano. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://sustainable-nano.com/2017/05/12/art-conservation-and-nanotechnology/

UC Online. (2012). Nanotech for Artists Part 1 - Dr. Gimzewski. Youtube.com. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7jM6-iqzzE&t=895s.

UC Online. (2012). Nanotech for Artists Part 2 - Dr. Gimzewski. Youtube.com. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEp6t0v-v9c&t=767s.

UC Online. (2012). Nanotech for Artists Part 6 - Dr. Gimzewski. YouTube. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKlViSKkPd0&list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&t=309s.

United States National Nanotechnology Initiative. (n.d.). What it is and how it works. National Nanotechnology Initiative. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://www.nano.gov/nanotech-101/what

Yan, A. (2021). Nanotechnology. NANOTECHNOLOGY IN MEDICINE. Fusion Insider. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://www.fusioninsider.org/home/nanotechnology-in-medicine.