Week 8: Nanotechnology + Art

This week we focused on nanotechnology and art, which was very interesting because I am not really familiar with the concept of nanotechnology and its implications on society, it has always been more of an idea I’ve heard of. The lecture introduction says that we have to reinvent even how science works in nanotechnology, a statement which I find fascinating to think about. It was also helpful seeing the scale of nanotechnology in lecture one, because I find it easier to understand the visual presentation of this concept (nano is so small!!)

Parts 3 and 4 of the lectures went into examples about how nanoparticles are being used in products and medicine. An example I found really interesting was how silver nanoparticles have an antimicrobial effect, so they are put into socks and such to lessen odor and elongate wear. The behavior and properties of our everyday elements change when nanosizing materials and allow this – this means that solid materials can be liquid at the nano scale or insulators can become conductors and vice versa. That is crazy to me! Part 6 of the lectures goes into the possible dangers and concerns in using nanotechnology in products. An example is using nano silica particles to increase chocolate flavor in weight loss drinks – it is not entirely known or advised that humans may consume this. I think the range of these lectures shows the topic of nanotechnology very well, both as something that can be innovative but also potentially harmful. I think this is the case for many inventions, and in my opinion as long as greed does not motivate these creations then they can be good for society.

References

UC Online. “Nanotech Intro.” YouTube, 26 Mar. 2012, youtu.be/dZ3y6TkXJ6Y.

UC Online. “Nanotech Jim Pt1.” YouTube, 21 May 2012, youtu.be/q7jM6-iqzzE.

UC Online. “Nanotech Jim PT3.” YouTube, 21 May 2012, youtu.be/X0HCNiU_108.

UC Online. “Nanotech Jim PT4.” YouTube, 21 May 2012, youtu.be/yHCuZetAIhk.

UC Online. “Nanotech Jim PT6.” YouTube, 21 May 2012, youtu.be/oKlViSKkPd0?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7.

Image Citations

Medical Device Network, https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/comment/nanotechnology-medicine-technology/. Accessed 26 May 2023.

Team Leverage Edu. Leverage Edu, https://leverageedu.com/blog/applications-of-nanotechnology/. Accessed 26 May 2023.

Vchal. Istockphoto.Com, https://www.techopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/structure-of-hexagonal-nano-material-1.jpg. Accessed 26 May 2023.