Week 8: Nanotechnology + Art

            Nanotechnology refers to the field of science and technology which deals with the control of matter at the atomic level, the scale of individual atoms and molecules. It involves the design and application of systems with properties that apply to and function at the scale of the nanometer for the purpose of constructing high performance items (CRN). This definition however, proves to be rather simple. Nanotechnology essentially serves as a bridge between scientists and artists to help bridge their work. By taking the form of pictures, animations, and paintings, nanotechnology utilizes atomic material to create unique visuals that challenge, explore, and expand our views of the material world. 

SciTechDaily. Nanotechnology Enables 3D Visualization of Crucial RNA Structures, 2022. 

            Nanotechnology has applications in improving animal, agriculture, nutritional, medicinal, and pharmaceutical sciences (Nasrollahzadeh et el., 2019). Brown has demonstrated to us that nanoscale imaging experimentation has allowed researchers to optimize vast and complex data sets through the attention to detail (Brown et al., 2020). Because the world is filled with Big Data, a collection of data that is huge in volume which grows exponentially over time, analyzing this amount of data would be impossible without the use of nanotechnology (guru99). The artistic imaging techniques of nanotechnology allow us to view and understand this type of data. 

Medical Device Network. Nanotechnology in Medicine, 2020.

            Possibly one of the most fascinating and impressive artistic applications of nanotechnology comes from Elon Musk. In his startup, Neuralink, he aims to provide a brain-developing chip that uses nanotechnology to allow paralyzed individuals to control phones and computers (Lopatto, 2019). Other Neuralink applications include a monkey that was trained to play Pong simply with the Neuralink implant which connects its thoughts to a machine (Neuralink, 2021). Although revolutionary, this does raise many ethical concerns and implications regarding the use of this invasive technology, its reliability, and safety. 

BBC. Elon Musk's Neuralink Shows Monkey Playing Pong With Mind, 2021.

            Nanotechnology can be used in the creation of art, as well as the conservation of art. The materials that artists use to create their artwork are subject to erosion and disintegration. The NanoForArt project started by artists around the world uses nanotechnology to engineer safer conservation products for art created using traditional materials such as oil. 

            The use of nanotechnology never ceases to amaze me, as it strives for abstract concepts, constant innovation, and immense creativity. 

Sources. 

        1. Brown, K. A., Brittman, S., Maccaferri, N., Jariwala, D., & Celano, U. (2020). Machine Learning in Nanoscience: Big Data at Small Scales. Nano Letters, 20(1), 2–10. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b04090

        2. Lopatto, E. (2019, July 16). Elon Musk unveils Neuralink’s plans for brain-reading ‘threads’ and a robot to insert them. The Verge. https://www.theverge.com/2019/7/16/20697123/elon-musk-neuralink-brain-reading-thread-robot

        3. Nasrollahzadeh, M., Sajadi, S. M., Sajjadi, M., & Issaabadi, Z. (2019). Chapter 4—Applications of Nanotechnology in Daily Life. In M. Nasrollahzadeh, S. M. Sajadi, M. Sajjadi, Z. Issaabadi, & M. Atarod (Eds.), Interface Science and Technology (Vol. 28, pp. 113–143). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-813586-0.00004-3

        4. Neuralink. (2021, April 8). Monkey MindPong. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsCul1sp4hQ

        5. What is BIG DATA? Introduction, Types, Characteristics, Example. (n.d.). from https://www.guru99.com/what-is-big-data.html

        6. “What Is Nanotechnology?” What Is Nanotechnology? N.p., n.d. Web <http://crnano.org/whatis.htm>.