Nanotechnology is the science of the uses of nano-sized particles being applied to practical ideas. Nanotechnology has been thought to be a new technological idea but it has actually been used, often accidentally, for quite some time. I was actually surprised to learn from the professors that nanotechnology has not yet been applied practical uses only trivial ideas. Scientists and artists alike are turning to nanotechnology to further advance their career. On the science side of nanotechnology I found it interesting to learn of the future plans of some applications of nanotechnology. For instance, scientists working at NASA have proposed an idea to create a pill, which would release nano-sized machine or “nanobots” upon consumption. After dispersing throughout the body these nanobots would work to repair damaged cells, tissues, and organs. I found it fascinating that the people believe that in the near future, mechanical creatures could help out biological organisms; especially some as advanced as humans. Another application I found surprising was a blood flow powered battery to power the nanobots. I have learned that scientists have built a small apparatus with hundreds of nano-sized rod-like structures, which sway back and forth with the flow of blood and thus create energy to power future nanobots or other mechanical creatures. What I have come to realize is that even though people may think art and science are completely different, the truth is that they share many of the same techniques. Also, what many people don’t realize is that nanotechnology itself has been used for artistic purposes in the past. For instance David Scharf has used the scanning electron microscope for his artwork and Marie-Jeanne Musiol used electromagnets for her art as well.
http://www.nanobot.info/
http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2005/04/nasa_building_n_1.html
http://www.foresight.org/Updates/Update41/Update41.2.html
http://www.2spi.com/catalog/scharfphoto/David_Scharf_stock_photography.html
http://www.mse.iastate.edu/microscopy/home.html