Nanotech + Art

At least four times per week I walk past the California Nanosystems Institute in south campus. I have never been inside, nor do I have any idea as to what goes on in there. Dr. Gimzewski, in his six lecture series, has informed me about the advanced technology applied to nanoparticles that can also be applicable to art.

California Nanosystems Institute at UCLA

With the invention of the scanning tunneling microscope, a three dimensional image can be formed from a needle “feeling” the surface of atoms and this is not only limited to particles in a vacuum but the microscope can resolve atoms in air, liquids, and even at extreme temperatures. Liza, a graduate student working with Dr. Gimzewski, was even able to position molecules of carbon monoxide on copper into the formation “UCLA”.

Carbon monoxide molecules on copper molceules

A major topic of the lectures was self-assembly. Nano particles are able to self assemble into various objects such as this 500micron box that is surrounded by microbeads. Self-assembling objects like this are not only useful in creating breathtaking images, but could also lead to cancer treatments that are more targeted and less toxic to humans.

 

Self-assembling box ~500microns

My favorite piece of art involving nanotechnology is the image titled “Self-illuminating flowers of Pandora”. It is a high-resolution picture of a “zinc oxide ‘nanoflower’ synthesized by a physical vapor deposition technique” (Jian Shi). To me it is amazing how at the nano level there are objects that not only self assemble, but can help to change the world for the better by reducing pollution, making products and treatments less toxic, and creating realistic replications of everyday wonders like flowers.

My personal favorite image of nanotechnology

Sources

"Art in the Age of Nanotechnology." Art.base. John Curtain Gallery, 05 Feb. 2010. Web. 20 May 2015. <https://art.base.co/event/2104-art-in-the-age-of-nanotechnology>.

"Hedgehog Particles and Other Amazing Nanotechnology Images." Nanowerk. Nanowerk, 16 Apr. 2013. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.nanowerk.com/news2/newsid=30035.php>.

Image Box: http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=16903.php

Image “UCLA” CO on Cu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEp6t0v-v9c

Image Zinc Flowers: http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=16903.php

Image CNSI:  http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c8/California_Nanosystems_Institute,_interior_walkways,_UCLA.jpg

"Introduction to Nanotechnology – Images." Nanowerk. Nanowerk, n.d. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology/introduction/introduction_to_nanotechnology_31.php>.

"Nano Orchard and Other Amazing Nanotechnology Images." Nanowerk. Nanowerk, 18 May 2014. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.nanowerk.com/nanotechnology-news/newsid=35631.php>.

"Nano PacMan, Self-illuminating Flowers and Other Winning Nanotechnology Images." Nanowerk. Nanowerk, 26 June 2010. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.nanowerk.com/news/newsid=16903.php>.

"Nanotechnology Art Gallery." Nanotechnology Now. Ed. Bartek A. Glowacki and Tarek Mouganie. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.nanotech-now.com/Art_Gallery/Cambridge.htm>.

Uconlineprogram. "Nanotech Jim Pt2." YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 20 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEp6t0v-v9c>.