Week 8: The New Science of Nanotechnology

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. 
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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.  
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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.