Nanotech + Art

This week's lecture starts with the definition of nanotechnology, and this term was first used by the Tokyo University of Science in 1974. Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale. It is also referred to the particular technological goal of precisely manipulating atoms and molecules for fabrication of macroscale products, also now referred to as molecular nanotechnology. And the "power" is used in logarithm to describe the size of molecules, such as cells, bacteria and antibodies. Nanotechnology also integrates physics and mathematics elements. This technology reminds me of 'Criminal Minds.' At the crime scene,The most advanced applications are those related to fingerprints. Substituting materials used to develop fingerprints (such as carbon black, aluminium flake, and gentian violet) with much smaller nanoparticles increases by orders of magnitude the sensitivity of the forensic search. This makes it easier to detect old or faint fingerprints, and those left on difficult surfaces, such as adhesive or textured ones. Nanoparticles bind with the fingerprint's pattern and make it visible. A typical strategy is engineering fluorescent nanoparticle to make the development easier.

The next concept introduced in the lecture is nanoparticles, which are particles that have diameters between 100 and 1 nanometers. The color of the Lycurgus cup varies when there is light or no light, and this is due to the effect of nanoparticles. According to my recent readings about medical field, Researchers at Rice University have demonstrated that cerium oxide nanoparticles act as an antioxidant to remove oxygen free radicals that are present in a patient's bloodstream following a traumatic injury. The nanoparticles absorb the oxygen free radicals and then release the oxygen in a less dangerous state, freeing up the nanoparticle to absorb more free radicals. Moreover, Researchers at MIT using nanoparticles to deliver vaccine.The nanoparticles protect the vaccine, allowing the vaccine time to trigger a stronger immune response.

It seems like nanoparticles also play a great role in medicine. Nanomedicine ranges from the medical applications of nanomaterials biosensors, and even possible future applications of molecular nanotechnology. The primary function is to interface them with biological molecules or structures. Our school-UCLA has a well known department called David Geffen School of Medicine that specializes in the development of nanomedicine. The Division of NanoMedicine will serve as an information base about the utility of Nanoscience to the practice of Medicine. This technology allows scientists to manipulate, create, objects at the atomic scale and move individual atoms with precision. But since nanotechnology is new, which means that there is a limited amount of relevant research data to draw from and may have side-effects, such as disorders in metabolisms or other organs. Here is a little introduction of nanotechnology that I found to be really instructive. 

As we move forward with the lectures, it seems like art is everywhere throughout our daily lives, the coverage is so broad that it covers from simple math to scientific medical fields. I cannot wait to explore more about arts and its relationship to other unexpected fields.

Sources:
1. Gimzewski, . "Nanotech for Artists Part 1." Nanotech Art | Lectures. login.uconline.edu. Los Angeles. . Lecture.
2. Catanzaro, Michele . "Nanotechnology on the crime scene."Guardian. n. page. Web. 18 Nov. 2013. <http://www.theguardian.com/what-is-nano/nanotechnology-on-the-crime-scene>.
3. Al Baik, Eman. Fingerprint evidence from crime scene. N.d. Photograph. Dubai MediaWeb. 18 Nov 2013. <https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRH-_ReRNVNzIIjlf4OHCXoojERdPzfz0-UTAvURvn686sp1FVH>.
4. "Nanoparticle Applications and Uses ." Hawk's Perch Technical Writing, LLC. n. page. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://www.understandingnano.com/nanoparticles.html>.
5. United States. University of California, Los Angeles.NanoMedicine. Los Angeles: , Web. <http://people.healthsciences.ucla.edu/institution/groups-detail?group_id=425027>.
6. Champkins, Mark. What is nanotechnology? . 2013. Photograph. Science GuideWeb. 20 Nov 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFhFhNNd1sU>.