Nanotechnology & Art & the Progress Resulting

  As an engineering major, I am required to explore a subject as my “technical breadth area”; while it is most common for students to take very traditionally applicable technical breadths like tech management and computer science, I took interest in nanotechnology.  This new science has been the center of cutting-edge research in medicine, optics, manufacturing and much more.  The principles that guide nanotechnology and nanoscience are also brand new, leaving behind traditional Newtonian physics, the physics explaining gravity and easily conceptualized phenomena, for quantum mechanics with shrodinger’s cat and strange new properties of nano-scale materials. In nanotechnology’s contributions to a new understanding of science (and the world), nanotechnology also gives art a whole new perspective and medium to work with.

  One way that nanotechnology could potentially contribute to the possibilities in the realm of the arts is by giving traditional mediums a more technologically advanced aspect. Researchers at the University of California Riverside noticed that through stringing together gold nanoparticles, colors could change.  Because of the quantum effects at the nanoscale, light is reflected depending on the specific scale of the nanoparticles.  Because of this, stresses on the strings of nanoparticles provided different colors, as imaged below.

While the practical applications of this is in crash-test dummies and mechanical stress sensors, this color changing paint can be incorporated into more transient art pieces.

  Another way that nanoparticles can improve paint and other mediums is through “self-cleaning paints”.  A company known as EcoClean recently utilized the oxidizing properities of nanoscale titanium dioxide in paint to produce a paint that literally absorbs airborne pollutants and oxidizes them.  While this improves air quality in the surrounding area, the exterior walls also remain stain resistant.  An application of this type of paint/cement is exemplified by the Jubilee Church pictured below. The application of this novel material is centered in environmental applications and engineering, however it could be further applied to public art and other more exposed pieces.

  Finally, to contrast with the beneficial aspects of nano-scale material and scientific advancement, we have an example of the danger of working with nanoparticles.  As nanoparticles become more prominent in art and technology, the toxicology involved with them needs to be further understood.  Just recently, Duke University identified that it is nanoparticles in diesel exhaust that caused damage to lung airways.  Shown in the image below, these particles, due to their small nature, can collect in areas of the body over time, accumulating to a detrimental amount. In advancing nanotechnology in art and science, one must be aware of these health considerations.

References

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 Nov. 2012. <http://vv.arts.ucla.edu/publications/publications/02-03/JV_nano/JV_nano_artF5VG.htm>.

Lafrance, Adrienne. 'Scientists Made Color-Changing Paint Out Of Gold Nanoparticles'. The Atlantic. N.p., 2014. Web. 19 May 2015.

Miller, Lia. 'Smog-Eating Cement - New York Times'. Nytimes.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 19 May 2015.

Nanowiki.info,. 'Nanowiki, Tracking Nanotechnology'. N.p., 2015. Web. 19 May 2015.

Schelmetic, Tracey. 'Titanium Dioxide Coats Buildings, Structures To Help Them Stand Up To Smog Monster - Thomasnet News'. News.thomasnet.com. N.p., 2015. Web. 19 May 2015.