Week8: Nanotech+Art

Manipulating and controlling matter “at the scale of atoms and molecules”, nanotechnology has the potential to change the world in many aspects (Gimzewski & Vesna). As a form of information technology, the field of nanotechnology is growing in an exponential manner in spite of emerging only a few decades ago (Kurzweil). As a matter of fact, nanotechnology has been integrating into the modern society extremely rapidly. Take a look at what we are using everyday, our smart phones, laptops, and tablets. They are all results of the collaboration of nanotechnology and art.

http://www.kurzweilai.net/photos

Ray Kurzweil

An increasing number of art pieces are being produced with nanotechnology. “Transjuicer” by Boo Chapple is one great example introduced in the article “Art in the Age of Nanotechnology.” Working with “the piezoelectric nature of the bone matrix,” Boo Chapple caused bone to vibrate in order to generate audible sound. Trying to go beyond the human capacity to sense,” he made bone audio speakers at the nano scale.

http://io9.com/5871752/weird-art-project-turns-bones-into-speakers

Transjuicer

Preventing water from soaking in the superhydrophobic surface, Lotus leaf effect allows water to pick up and carry away dirt when moving across the leaf. Scientists and artists alike use this property to create human-made products that mimic the self-cleaning mechanism of the lotus plants of these natural surfaces. Everyday self-cleaning products including paints, glass, textiles, fabrics are being made to reduce the need for chemical detergents and labor input. Similarly, nanotechnology is also being applied to a variety of fields including agriculture and manufacturing industry. Without any doubt, nanotechnology is going to develop more and more rapidly and become an indispensable part of people’s everyday life.

Sources

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 May 2015. <http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm>.

 "A University for the Coming Singularity." Ray Kurzweil:. Web. 23 May 2015. <http://www.ted.com/talks/ray_kurzweil_announces_singularity_university>

"Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Art.base. Web. 22 May 2015. <https://art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology>

"Lesson: Superhydrophobicity — The Lotus Effect." Superhydrophobicity — The Lotus Effect. Web. 22 May 2015.<https://www.teachengineering.org/view_lesson.php?url=collection/duk_/lessons/duk_surfacetensionunit_lessons/duk_surfacetensionunit_less4.xml>

 "Surface Allows Self-cleaning: Sacred Lotus." - AskNature. Web. 21 May 2015.   <http://www.asknature.org/strategy/714e970954253ace485abf1cee376ad8#.VWA3_VlViko>