Week 8 NanoTech + Art

Among all the topics we have discussed so far, I am most unfamiliar with nanotechnology. Because my major is not related to it and there are many jargons in articles regarding nanotechnology, I do not even have a basic idea of what nanotechnology is except that it involves particles at the scale of 1 to 100 nanometers. Therefore, this week’s lesson really informed me in terms of the long history, the amazing findings, and the wide application of nanotechnology.

First of all, I would have never imagined that nanoparticles were used as early as 400 B.C. to give a cup special coloration. Nanoparticles were also used in plates produced in 15th to 16th century and in stained glass that decorates churches. Although the science on nanoparticles may not be as advanced at that time, smart artisans already started using nanoparticles as pioneers of science.



The cup with special coloration by nanoparticles

In addition, nanotechnology has enabled many inspiring findings, and one of them that particularly interests me is how substances change their qualities dramatically under the nanoscale. For example, materials such as gold that are inert under normal conditions can become catalyst viewed from the nanoscale. Isolators turn into conductors, and stable materials combustible. All these amazing properties not only inform scientists of a world that operates not under the gravity law but under thermodynamics and surface tension, but also enable the invention of inexpensive, non-toxic materials such as explosives made of combustible nanoparticles.

In terms of its application, nanotechnology has permeated our lives. Silver nanoparticles that are anti-microbe are widely used in sportswear, socks, and food preservation. However, these nanoparticles can get into the sewage and pollute the ocean, which has caused concern in recent years. This kind of downsides of nanotechnology may be magnified by the inaccurate, horrifying portrait of nanotechnology in media such as the book Prey by Michael Crichton. As Gimzewski and Vesna argue in this week’s reading, these representations blur the public’s perception of this new science and instill fear that might impede the growth of acceptance of nanotechnology. However, they can never stop nanotechnology from developing into a science that would change the future of human beings.



A simulation of how silver nanoparticles damage bacteria




The cover of Prey


Works Cited

Gimzewski, James. “Nanotech Jim pt3” Uploaded by uconlineprogram, 21 May 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0HCNiU_108#action=share.

Gimzewski, James, and Victoria Vesna. "The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact & fiction in the construction of a new science." The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of fact & fiction in the construction of a new science. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2017. <http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm>.

N.d. British Museum. Web. 27 May 2017. <https://britishmuseum.tumblr.com/post/120689869617/the-lycurgus-cup>.

N.d. Web. 27 May 2017. <http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/83763.Prey>.


The picture is shown the mechanism of The Antibacterial of Silver ions. N.d. TruCare Nano Silver Toothpaste [REVIEW]. Web. 27 May 2017. <http://niyen1991.blogspot.com/2013/11/trucare-nanosilver-toothpaste-review.html>.

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