Nanotechnology and art form a unique intersection. According to Dr. Gimzewski, nanotechnology is a relatively new technology that involves various topics and has an impact on almost every aspect of science. "Nano" is Greek for dwarf, but in science, it refers to a billionth of a meter, written in scientific notation as 1 x 10-9 m (Gimzewski & Vesna).
Avengers: Infinity War (2018) - "It's Nano Tech" | Movie Clip
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When I hear about nanotechnology, the first thing that comes to mind is Tony Stark's Mark 50 suit from the movie Avengers, which utilizes nanotechnology. It's a portrayal of nanotechnology in popular culture. The suit is entirely contained within a removable shell made of nanotech particles, which can unfold onto Stark's body with just a gentle push. It also demonstrates the significant technical features of nanotechnology, such as the suit's ability to rebuild, reshape, and redesign itself in battle, indicating the flexibility of nanotech. However, researchers at UCF’s NanoScience Technology Center clarify that while nanotechnology can be used to manufacture materials with higher mechanical strength, the suits depicted in movies remain an intriguing fantasy.
Lycurgus Cup
The use of nanoparticles in art can be traced back to ancient times. The Lycurgus Cup is a Roman glass cage cup from the 4th century. The cup shows different colors depending on the direction of the light. When lit from the front, it appears jade green, but when lit from behind, it appears blood red. Roman artisans impregnated the glass with silver and gold particles, grinding them until they were as small as 50 nanometers in diameter, less than one-thousandth the size of a grain of salt (Merali). When illuminated by light, the metal spots' electrons change color depending on the observer's position.
Zero@wavefunction
Professor Vesna and Dr. Gimzewski's collaborative project brings nanotechnology closer to us. The NANO was initially installed at the UCLA nanotechnology lab, where it manipulates individual molecules called buckyballs through interactive video projection. These buckyballs are nano-particles, specifically arranged as spherical carbon molecules. This aspect of the project allows audiences to directly interact with nano-scale objects, highlighting the functionality and potential applications of nanotechnology. In other words, it provides participants with a tactile understanding of nanoscience concepts through interactive engagement.
References:
Dudenhoefer’17, Nicole. “The Science behind ‘Avengers: Endgame.’” University of Central Florida News | UCF Today, 25 Apr. 2019, www.ucf.edu/news/the-science-behind-avengers-endgame/.
Gimzewski, Jim, and Victoria Vesna. “The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science.” Publications | UCLA Art | Sci Center + Lab, artsci.ucla.edu/publications. Accessed 23 May 2024.
Merali, Zeeya. “This 1,600-Year-Old Goblet Shows That the Romans Were Nanotechnology Pioneers.” Smithsonian.Com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Sept. 2013, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/this-1600-year-old-goblet-shows-that-the-romans-were-nanotechnology-pioneers-787224/.
Great post!! Your connection to the interactive video projection was very interesting. It is fascinating how far technology has come and how every day it improves. It makes me question the everyday tools and items and how they can be improved with similar interactive technology.
Great post!! Your connection to the interactive video projection was very interesting. It is fascinating how far technology has come and how every day it improves. It makes me question the everyday tools and items and how they can be improved with similar interactive technology.
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