In class on Tuesday, we discussed visualization in relation to science. I thought that the topics were interesting because whenever I hear the word “visualization,” I only think of art as in paintings, drawings etc. that were shown at the beginning of the presentation. However, through the lecture I also learned about the visualization in terms of mapping out surfaces and materials within science such as with the atomic force microscope, which measured through the use of a thin probe or tip. We also got to see these microscopes first hand during the lab visits. It was interesting to learn how a concept that is usually associated with art in my mind actually applies to science and research.
Here's an example of the microscope we saw.
We also learned about different types of nanotechnology, such as the “nanobot,” which is like a minature robot. Although advanced nanobots have yet to be created, scientists have primiative molecular machines that can do things such as counting molecules. However, in the future, scientists may engineer nanobots that will be able to kill cancer cells or diagnose diseases. By working together, they can treat a patient on cellular level without all the side effects we have nowadays.
In class, we also viewed a confusing video on the tenth dimension. This was really thought-provoking because it used artistic or mathematical concepts such as lines and points to help the viewers wrap their mind around the concept of ten different dimensions.
http://www.purdue.edu/REM/rs/sem.htm
http://www.understandingnano.com/medicine.html