Nanotechnology:
I think the best way to begin to understand nanotechnology is to look at two different definitions of the word, the World English Dictionary's and the Science Dictionary's from Reference.com.
World English's definition: "n. a branch of technology dealing with the manufacture of objects with dimensions of less than 100 nanometers and the manipulation of individual molecules and atoms." Then the Science Dictionary's: "The science and technology of devices and materials, such as electronic circuits or drug delivery systems, constructed on extremely small scales, as small as individual atoms and molecules." When looking at these two definitions, we notice that they go hand in hand. Nanotechnology seems to be impossible because of the incredible things it can run at its scale. Yet, for example it makes up computer chips that can run a hard drive. Past all of the scientific aspects, I was greatly surprised to see its connection to the arts.
I was really interested in DNA origami which Paul Rothemund talks about in TED Talks. DNA origami is proof that the molecular compiler actually works. However, it doesn't work when trying to create a human form because of the immense scale.
nature04586-f1.2.jpg
13-Rothemund-2D.jpg
I also really liked Nano art, and how DNA origami made it possible on the computer screen and is also the same thing that would be needed to create a circuit behind a light switch or outlet. I also wanted to explore and investigate to see if there were other types of non graphic nano-art, and I found some pretty incredible ones. They are made of ferro fluid and a mixture of oil and nanoscale iron particles that respond to magnetic fields. The ferro fluid is more commonly used for sealing computer hard drive or a contrast medium in medical imaging. The two may not seem similar, but if you compare Paul Rothemund's TED talk designs, and the designs made through oil paints, you realize that they both are able to form three dimensional structures. One just pops up on a computer screen using DNA origami and the other is created by a mixing of chemicals.
Fabian_Oefner_Millefiori_04.jpg
I apologize for the images not showing up this week, but the links are above to go see them.
~Claire
Citations:
Collins English Dictionary. "nanotechnology."dictionary.com. 2013.
Rothemund, Paul. Paul Rothemund: DNA folding, in detail. 2008. video. TED Conferences, LLCWeb. 21 Nov 2013.
Rothemund, Paul W.K. Figure 1: Design of DNA origami. 2006. Chart. Nature:International weekly journal of scienceWeb. 22 Nov 2013.
Rothemund, Paul W.K. Folding DNA to Create Nanoscale Shapes and Patterns. 2011. Graphic. Scitable: by nature educationWeb. 25 Nov 2013.
Oefner, Fabian. Psychedelic nano-art in oils and ferrofluids. 2012. Photograph. newscientist.comWeb. 23 Nov 2013.
Aron, Jacob. "Psychedelic nano-art in oils and ferrofluids."NewScientist. (2012): n. page. Print.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Neuroscience: Giving us an Understanding to our Brain and its Functions
I was really interested in this weeks topic because it reminded me of my psychology class in high school. Understanding the brain and its functions have been widely researched and studied for thousands of years. Each day learning more and something new. Psychology has always peaked my interest and neuroscience and the technology that they produce allows for the psychology field to thrive and continue to grow and increase understanding.
I really liked how Mark Cohen talked about the function of the brain and how the eyes work along with it for us to see things right side up. Could you imagine seeing everything upside down all of the time? Do you think our brains come pre-wired to turn the inverted images around or does the brain learn how to invert images (Purkinje)? Well you could experience it first hand by using inverted goggles.
I was really intrigued by the mention of migraines by Cohen. Migraines are a neurological disorder characterized by imbalances in brain chemistry. Cohen talks about the aura that occurs with a migraine and that they could use the inverted glasses in order to measure the frequency that the aura was occurring.
~Claire Felix
Citations:
Purkinje, J.. "Perceptions of the senses are the truths of perception." Cornell College. Cornell College. Web. 14 Nov 2013. <http://people.cornellcollege.edu/dsherman/illusions/>.
American, Scientific. Experiments with Goggles. 1962. Graphic. Cornell CollegeWeb. 17 Nov 2013.
"Migraine or Headache." Excederin. Novartis Consumer Health, n.d. Web. 16 Nov 2013.
Simon, Harvey, and David Zieve. "Migraine Headaches."University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland, 18 Sep 2013. Web. 15 Nov 2013.
ADAM, Inc, . Most headaches are caused by muscle contraction or blood flow problems. 2008. Graphic. The New York Times, New York. Web. 16 Nov 2013.
Nucleus Medical Media, Inc., . Migraine. 2009. Graphic. lifescript: healthy living for womenWeb. 13 Nov 2013.
ucdesma, . Neuroscience-Mark Chen.mov. 2012. video. YouTube, Los Angeles. Web. 16 Nov 2013.
I really liked how Mark Cohen talked about the function of the brain and how the eyes work along with it for us to see things right side up. Could you imagine seeing everything upside down all of the time? Do you think our brains come pre-wired to turn the inverted images around or does the brain learn how to invert images (Purkinje)? Well you could experience it first hand by using inverted goggles.
I was really intrigued by the mention of migraines by Cohen. Migraines are a neurological disorder characterized by imbalances in brain chemistry. Cohen talks about the aura that occurs with a migraine and that they could use the inverted glasses in order to measure the frequency that the aura was occurring.
~Claire Felix
Citations:
Purkinje, J.. "Perceptions of the senses are the truths of perception." Cornell College. Cornell College. Web. 14 Nov 2013. <http://people.cornellcollege.edu/dsherman/illusions/>.
American, Scientific. Experiments with Goggles. 1962. Graphic. Cornell CollegeWeb. 17 Nov 2013.
"Migraine or Headache." Excederin. Novartis Consumer Health, n.d. Web. 16 Nov 2013.
Simon, Harvey, and David Zieve. "Migraine Headaches."University of Maryland Medical Center. University of Maryland, 18 Sep 2013. Web. 15 Nov 2013.
ADAM, Inc, . Most headaches are caused by muscle contraction or blood flow problems. 2008. Graphic. The New York Times, New York. Web. 16 Nov 2013.
Nucleus Medical Media, Inc., . Migraine. 2009. Graphic. lifescript: healthy living for womenWeb. 13 Nov 2013.
ucdesma, . Neuroscience-Mark Chen.mov. 2012. video. YouTube, Los Angeles. Web. 16 Nov 2013.
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Biotechnology: It Has Been Around Forever
Biotechnology...
I honestly didn't really know what we were going to be diving into this week after just seeing the title, but after looking at this weeks class videos, articles, and a little extra researching, I think I have finally started to grasp the subject matter as it relates to different aspects of life.
Biotechnology has been around forever. It sounds futuristic and brand new because of the technology aspect, but really is as simple as fermentation (Healing). By using yeast they were able to improve foods and create beer (Healing).
Even though I didn't really know where we were going to take this subject in our class, in my A.P. Environmental Science class I remember talking about biotechnology and the presence it can make in nature and especially in making soil more fertile as well as producing plants without pesticides on them. I do also remember touching on the subject of genetically modified plants and foods.
Touching again on the topic of genetically modified or biotechnical, I think we could relate it to the movies and arts with Frankenstein and how he was a monster created just how his master or genius scientist wanted him to be. Something we look at as a cute Halloween movie today is really planting an idea of genetic modification through choice and creation. Do you think that this is a fair analogy? And do you think that even though fictional, it could be the wave of the future.
Biotechnology is truly innovative, because it is helping us live longer and healthier, while leaving less of a greenhouse gas footprint (Healing). It also allows us to create things exactly how we want them, whether appeal, taste, smell, touch, or species.
~Claire Felix
Citations:
Fermentation Tanks . 2000. Photograph. How Stuff WorksWeb. 10 Nov 2013.
Nice, Karim. "How Beer Works." How Stuff Works. How Stuff Works, n.d. Web. 7 Nov 2013
"BTI scientist Dan Klessig speaks at a biotechnology conference in Tunisia." BTI. How Stuff Works, n.d. Web. 9 Nov 2013.
2013. Graphic. Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant ResearchWeb. 8 Nov 2013.
Carlton, Tom. Frankenstein. 2013. Graphic. Fineart America Web. 6 Nov 2013.
I honestly didn't really know what we were going to be diving into this week after just seeing the title, but after looking at this weeks class videos, articles, and a little extra researching, I think I have finally started to grasp the subject matter as it relates to different aspects of life.
Biotechnology has been around forever. It sounds futuristic and brand new because of the technology aspect, but really is as simple as fermentation (Healing). By using yeast they were able to improve foods and create beer (Healing).
Even though I didn't really know where we were going to take this subject in our class, in my A.P. Environmental Science class I remember talking about biotechnology and the presence it can make in nature and especially in making soil more fertile as well as producing plants without pesticides on them. I do also remember touching on the subject of genetically modified plants and foods.
Touching again on the topic of genetically modified or biotechnical, I think we could relate it to the movies and arts with Frankenstein and how he was a monster created just how his master or genius scientist wanted him to be. Something we look at as a cute Halloween movie today is really planting an idea of genetic modification through choice and creation. Do you think that this is a fair analogy? And do you think that even though fictional, it could be the wave of the future.
Biotechnology is truly innovative, because it is helping us live longer and healthier, while leaving less of a greenhouse gas footprint (Healing). It also allows us to create things exactly how we want them, whether appeal, taste, smell, touch, or species.
~Claire Felix
Citations:
Fermentation Tanks . 2000. Photograph. How Stuff WorksWeb. 10 Nov 2013.
Nice, Karim. "How Beer Works." How Stuff Works. How Stuff Works, n.d. Web. 7 Nov 2013
"BTI scientist Dan Klessig speaks at a biotechnology conference in Tunisia." BTI. How Stuff Works, n.d. Web. 9 Nov 2013.
2013. Graphic. Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant ResearchWeb. 8 Nov 2013.
Carlton, Tom. Frankenstein. 2013. Graphic. Fineart America Web. 6 Nov 2013.
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