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July 8th Day 2

By matthewflagel | Published: July 14, 2009

Wow, Leonardo was a hell of a guy. The true epitome of art and science coming together to create something truly magnificent. And what makes it better is that he can be connected to Michael Jackson and zombies, two of my most favorite things in the world.

After the degrees of seperation between Leonardo and Jackson we saw an extremely eye opening video about the relative size of things and the many different dimensions that surround us all. These dimensions cover all possible events in all possible times in all possible universes.

After the lecture, we seperated into our groups and head to the labs we were assigned to visit. The first lab we visited the scientist was studying cancer. He showed us a sample of cancer from around fifty years ago that had yet to die. He told us that cancer was immortal which is why it is such a difficult disease to treat. The exchanges we made during this lab really helped be get a much deeper understanding of cancer.

After the cancer lab we moved to the engineering building where we learned about a project to create a cheap, small, and effective blood viewing unit called LUCAS. This device uses the shadow of the blood and the particles inside of it to project an image of the blood on the screen. They have managed to get the technology very small, so small that it can fit onto a cell phone.

Today was another great awe inspiring day, that taught a lot about myself.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/home/index.asp

http://www.cancer.gov/

http://www.mos.org/leonardo/

http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/examinations/measuringbloodpressure.htm

http://www.devicelink.com/mpmn/archive/07/05/023.html

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Blog 1- July 7 :D

By stephaniefeng | Published: July 14, 2009

The topic of today’s study was Seeing the Invisible. During the first lecture, many subjects were covered including the many dimensions, the different types of microscopes, and the introduction to Nanoscience/Nanotechnology. At the beginning of the instruction, we were taught how visualization, on the nano-scale, helps develop views both artistically and scientifically.

Unlike light microscopes, Electron microscopes provide a more detailed and magnified view of a specimen. Though these microscopes produce a black and white image of the sample, they can also provide an image that not only shows the outside of the cell, but can also probe deeper into the cell. This improved piece of technology was a breakthrough that helped to improve many situations both medically and technologically.

Also, the Atomic force microscope, which is made up of a sharp tip that is balanced with gravity and van der waals force, can be used to determine the structure of a substance. We were taken to different labs to view these microscopes and we were shown how electron microscopes need to have frozen specimens in order to be viewable. Each large, expensive, complex, microscope stood looming over all of us but then we moved on to the other lab where smaller microscopes stood and we were shown a variety of different particles.

These microscopes artificially colored the specimens in order for them to be more visible, adding an exciting touch to the objects.

rsic.puchd.ac.in/em.html

http://www.nanoscience.com/education/AFM.html

http://www.itg.uiuc.edu/ms/equipment/microscopes/afm.htm

http://www.unl.edu/CMRAcfem/em.htm

http://nobelprize.org/educational_games/physics/microscopes/tem/index.html

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numero zwei

By joshfaskowitz | Published: July 14, 2009

On this fine day, I really got to learn about the application of nano science in medicine. We first visited the chemistry lab where they were working on caner research and then Dr. Rome lectured to us.

I found the chemistry lab visit to be interesting. Although I did not like chemistry too much in school, this chemistry got my attention. At one point, they showed us this plastic cylinder with a pinkish fluid in it. It looked like a regular solution with some type of dye in it. The pinkish colored dye was an indicator to make sure the pH was around 7.2. I was surprised to learn that that innocent plastic thing held millions of caner cells in solution. It was so unassuming.

http://blog.theavclub.tv/wp-content/uploads/2006/10/cancer_cell-brain.jpg

This is a defromed looking cancer cell.

http://www.allthingsbeautiful.com/all_things_beautiful/images/metastasizing_cancer.jpg

This is another odd looking cancer cell

I know it is kind of odd to lable something in a science lad with such lyrical terms, but the solution of cells was ominous. It flowed as if it held a secret. And I found out those cells did have a secret to tell. The lab person said that these cells were of breast cancer from a lady who died ten years ago– and yet they were still growing an reproducing. I imagined and personified the cancer cells as a beast who was not stipping. It was so erie to realized that unlike normal cells, these cancer cells continue to reporduce ten years after already destroying a life. My feelings enhanced when I saw the cells up close through a microscope. They looked like messed up cells I thought, because they were all spikey and deformed.

http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/content/CRI_2_4_1X_What_is_breast_cancer_5.asp

http://breastcancer.about.com/od/cancerfightingfoods/a/cancer_sugar_myth.htm

http://biomedx.com/microscopes/rrintro/rr1.html

http://graemebird.wordpress.com/2006/07/10/good-and-bad-uses-of-personification-in-science/

http://www.alternative-cancer.net/Cell_photos.htm

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The JOURNEY

By annaquincy | Published: July 14, 2009

Thinking back on my day, it is difficult for me to look past the blood, sweat, and tears that went into going to eachdifferent area. After I forget about the exhaustion, I realized I learned an outrageous amount today. We had a lecture about the use of structures and shapes in art and science. We also went to the Fowler museum and viewed art by the Aborigine culture, we viewed very old books in the library, and we also went to the Basic Plasma Science Facility. Seeing the old books was really interesting and the Aborigine art was some of my favorite art. I really liked that there was so much tradition behind them and that they were so secretive.
When we went to the plasma center, I was amazed by how big everything was and how much energy everything needed, which is equivalent to the amount of energy powering Westwood. I was also really surprised when I learned that the entire thing was built by six men who work there. As unscientific as it may sound, looking into the LAPD was really pretty because of the plasma shooting past.

After being there for an hour, I realized that I had no idea what all the machinery was actually used to do. I learned that they were used for experiments which lead me to wonder what plasma is used in. After doing some research, I found that plasma is used in plasma displays, fluorescent lamps, rocket exhaust, and fusion energy research. I was not aware that plasma was used in such common items (like rocket exhaust).

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics)

www.plasmas.org

www.fowler.ucla.edu

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johannes_Gutenberg

plasma.physics.ucla.edu

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July 7th Day 1

By matthewflagel | Published: July 14, 2009

This day was an extremely eye opening one.

The day started with our daily lecture on the thin lines between art and science and helped dissolved the barriers even more. We learned about a variety of art that had truly broken the line between art and science. exponential

We separated into our groups and went off to do our lab activity for the day. Today was different types of microscopes and there was a lot of information that needed to be covered. The first lab we visited showed us an extremely high powered light microscope. After a short lecture on how the microscope worked the professor explained to us that this microscope was an extremely useful too because this microscope could look at live tissue rather than an electron microscope which can only view dead things. Electron microscopes may be inconvenient because they can only view dead material, but they make up for this disadvantage by having extreme magnification powers.

exponential1

After viewing the two other incredible microscopes we moved on to the last and most surprising of the microscopes, the electron tunneling microscope. This microscope has an extremely tiny needle that is attached to a structure with runs it along a moving plate where the sample is held. This needle head “feels” the surface of the atoms and gives a topographic readout of the atomic structure of the sample material. This microscope can also be used to manipulate atoms into forms scientists want.

uhv-stm1

Today was and insightful and extremely fun day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scanning_tunneling_microscope

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electron_microscope

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_microscope

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microscopy

http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~bioslabs/methods/microscopy/microscopy.html

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Plasma!

By charlottelaven | Published: July 14, 2009

Today we went and visited the UCLA Plasma Research Center. Plasma is said to be the fourth state of matter. I never had realized all the uses of plasma. when we went to the center today I was able to feel the electrical current going through the tube in the magnet which i thought was really cool. I was also able to see the pink light flash in the magnet. When the heat was turned up you could see a bright orange flame instead. The electrons are free in the gas rather being bound to the atom.

0713091609a

I also found it very interesting that we could not have any of our credit cards or anything near the magent. I just never though of that perspective. Plasma is steered by magnetic fields which allows that to happen.

0713091551b

Plasma is also used for therapies of certain disorders. Plasma is also used in critical care settings for treatment of shock and burns, during surgery, and for fluid replacement therapy. Plasma is used in surgery and the treatment of wounds to facilitate healing. Plasma is also used for certain respiratory diseases.

chamber3d1

One thing I really enjoyed about the Plasma Research Center was being able to go up on the ladder and look at the electrical current. It was nice to have a hands on experience and see exactly what was going on. I really enjoyed learning about something new and how it pertains to certain uses in my life.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma_(physics)

http://www.plasmas.org/what-are-plasmas.htm

http://www.cslplasma.com/s1/cs/enps/1165268013535/content/1165268013059/content.htm

http://www.plasmas.org/

http://plasma.kde.org/

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Shape determines…

By lucygao | Published: July 13, 2009

Today’s morning lecture on shapes defining our world was particularly fascinating for me…

Well, taking a step back, it’s pretty cool that through this program, we’ve basically been covering the idea that the British joke science series we watch every morning are named after–!

It seems that Art|Sci really focuses on new or creative ways to look at science, sometimes with a particularly innovative twist. We’ve gone through different ideas and presentations that relate to observing science or art with the senses: particularly sight and the various aspects that surround that field.

First came the idea of the earth as a world of light simply diffracted, refracted, etc.

Now back to this morning. The topic was shapes, as what we see always is made out of variegated shapes.

We begin with an atom, which comes in its own different shapes and forms. Then a crystal, with its own specific packing sequence. And so on and so forth until we reach the very limits (or not limits) of the universe, all with its shapes and time and chaotic organization (what an oxymoron!).

But as proposed in a statement stated perpetually by my AP biology teacher (about proteins)—shape determines function!

Thus, all these different shapes originate from nanosized perfection and purpose.

Now on to the next step—finding shapes in design and art. To me, the most appealing part of Rita and Gau’s presentation was the mentioning of music having a shape. As a musician, it got me thinking.

Well what do I consider music? I mean I’ve felt it… it could potentially be a shapeful (I just made up that word. Opposite of shapeless…) entity. So then, in conclusion, sound, another one of the senses, has “shape” as well!

So I guess I end with that abrupt note… It’s time for bed.

It’s a world of shapes! Or so we learn in preschool!!

Look around you!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Look_Around_You

Shape determines function!

http://packerpedia.wiki.packer.edu/Shape+Determines+Function

The universe is an atom…?

http://www.fractaluniverse.org/mandelbrot.php

“The new shape of music: Music has its own geometry, researchers find”

http://www.physorg.com/news127659537.html

A random, nearly off topic article with beautiful images of some certain shapes…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1199149/Super-slow-motion-pictures-soap-bubble-bursting-stunning-detail.html

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art, science, ancient literature

By annejeng | Published: July 13, 2009

The day started off with a trip to the Fowler Museum where I was able to look at aboriginal paintings from Papunya, and indigenous group in central Australia. Looking at the paintings reminded me of pointillism because the majority of every painting was composed of tiny dots. But the paintings also gave me an idea of what their culture was like. Being that the Papunya people lived in the desert, paintings of waterholes were present in almost all of the artwork.

Next I went to the Basic Plasma Research Center. The very first machinery I saw there was the LAPD (large plasma device). The LAPD is used to create plasma through the help of large magnets (the purple and yellow objects in the picture to the right) and intense heat (which can go well beyond 1 million degrees Celsius) in order for scientists to research the space plasma processes.

The last place I was taken today was the Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library to listen to a curated talk on the specialized book section which includes a whole room of rare books. Besides enjoying the fantastic air conditioning, l also had a great time learning about how much content and information can be found in books dating back to the sixteenth and seventeenth century.

So today I managed to analyze aboriginal art, learn about the space plasma process, and enjoy a detailed lecture on specialized books. What more can I ask for?

Links:
http://www.iki.rssi.ru/galeev60.html

http://www.t4.lanl.gov/tdiv-features99/abdallah.99.pdf

http://plasmascience.net/tpu/plasma_space.html

http://www.aboriginal-art.com/desert_pages/papunya_intro.html

http://blogs.nyu.edu/projects/materialworld/2009/02/icons_of_the_desert_early_abor_1.html

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Day 5

By christinaguo | Published: July 13, 2009

Shapes are an important part of all different types of design and science. Today our lecturers discussed the use of shapes in both the atomical level and the large scale in terms of architecture. The section on shapes in design particularly interested me because I love unique, contemporary architecture since it blends both engineering and art.

This reminded me a lot of pictures I have found on the internet that display unconventional buildings made up of unexpected shapes, such as circles and spirals instead of the usual rectangles and squares. One I particularly love was a school in Copenhagen, Orested College. Their desgns include spiraling staircases and circular benches. Here’s a picture:

School in Copenhagen

We also got to see an really interesting plasma lab, where temperatures reach more than 25 million degrees. It’s so hard to imagine such high temperatures! We had the opportunity to see plasma being made. I learned that plasma was actually used in plasma and lcd screen tvs, which I was really suprised by. I never knew that plasma could actually be made on Earth, because my teachers have always told me that plasma only exists on the sun and in outerspace. I think it’s really cool that plasma can be used in commercial items because the first time I head that I was going to the lab, I had no idea that plasma had a use on our planet.

Lastly, we visited a medical library on campus and got to see a collection of rare books such as that of Cupernicus and Darwin. What interested me most though, was that the librarian collects such random things as get well cards and baby books. It really made me wonder what types of items that seem commonplace right now will actually become valuables in the future. Perhaps computers, personal diaries, or even couches could be considered valuable artifacts hundreds of year from now!

http://www.afterdawn.com/glossary/terms/plasma_display.cfm

http://weburbanist.com/2009/04/21/15-cool-high-school-college-and-university-building-designs/

http://www.library.ucla.edu/libraries/biomed/

http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/monitors/display/lcd-parameters_3.html

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/4961/high-school-9-by-coop-himmelblau.html

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Inspiration FRIDAY

By annaquincy | Published: July 13, 2009

While the rest of the week was very informative, today was one for inspiration. In the morning, Victoria Vesna talked to us about her life. I found her life to be one of the most inspiration lives I’ve ever learned about. In my life, I am surrounded by people who are extremely unhappy with their places in the world. They go through their lives doing things they do not want to be doing, claiming that they have to continue living their lives the way they are. Instead of making the change and doing what they want, they say it is impossible to live any other way. From what I have heard of Victoria’s life, however, she always went after what she wanted to do. She has done everything from being an artist, being in a band, to now being the head SciArt department.
I stay up at night, tossing and turning in bed, worrying about if I am going to be happy in my life. My entire life, I 3083582535_310bfe0ec6 have been preparing for college. From AP classes to SAT courses to this program, my parents have been making sure I can get into the best college possible. All this preparation makes me feel like I cannot try what I want and that if I end up doing something I do not want to do, I will have to stay doing that. By listening to someone as successful as Victoria talk about her life and how she pretty much just did whatever she wanted gives me the inspiration that I can do the same. I just have to actually DO it.