May 20, 2021
Week Eight: Nanotechnology + Art
The concept of nanotechnology is a new and evolving idea in today's society. Nanotechnology alters matter on a microscopic level and is measured through a logarithmic scale (Gimzewski, 2012). According to Azonano, nanotechnology has the potential to solve major problems as well as having a beneficial impact on the environment. One of the potential problems with nanotechnology is creating products that are too powerful and may spiral out of our control. Since nanotechnology is just beginning, there is an endless amount of ideas that can be produced.
Picture representing Nanotechnology
In biology, geckos are one of the only animals that are able to climb up almost any surface. On their feet, geckos have special "adhesives" and are able to scale walls with ease because of the microscopic hairs on their toes. This type of idea that geckos naturally have is trying to be mimicked by scientists using nanotechnology. If scientists in the future are able to replicate this technology exhibited by geckos, humans would be able to climb walls.
Another phenomenon in nature is the lotus leaf effect. The surface of the lotus leaf has bumps that change the properties of the leaf and makes it hydrophobic. Because of the surface, the leaf is now insoluble to water and repels it. Scientists and developers have taken this idea and tried to create self-cleaning fabrics. These fabrics would be mess resistant but would still be breathable and comfortable to consumers.
Picture of Lotus Leaf Repelling Water
These types of concepts as well as the creativity of researchers can make the field of nanotechnology very rewarding and help society in indefinite ways.
References:
2005, Written by AZoNanoMar 5. “What Is Nanotechnology and What Can It Do?” AZoNano.com, 15 July 2013, www.azonano.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=1134.
Dickerson, Kelly. “Geckos' Sticky Secret? They Hang by Toe Hairs.” LiveScience, Purch, 12 Aug. 2014, www.livescience.com/47307-how-geckos-stick-and-unstick-feet.html.
Jeremy Jordan. “The Lotus Leaf: How Nature Makes Water-Repellent Materials.” Jeremy Jordan, Jeremy Jordan, 21 Oct. 2016, www.jeremyjordan.me/lotus-leaf-how-nature-makes-water-repellant-materials/.
Sprunt, Barbara. “Here's What The New Hate Crimes Law Aims To Do As Attacks On Asian Americans Rise.” NPR, NPR, 20 May 2021, www.npr.org/2021/05/20/998599775/biden-to-sign-the-covid-19-hate-crimes-bill-as-anti-asian-american-attacks-rise.
Gimzewski, James. “Nanotech Jim pt3.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0HCNiU_108&ab_channel=UCOnline.
Hi Connie, it seems like you enjoyed this week's lectures and information as much as I did. I agree with your point about how in nanotechnology there are endless possibilities and it is scary to think of the things scientists have yet to discover in this field. I also believe that this can cause nanotechnology to "spiral out of control" and cause global problems, but with all this controversy our world and science will always continue to grow. I liked your example so the lotus lead and the geckos. I could not imagina fully grown humans climbing up buildings! That seems terrifying. I think nanotechnology will continue to grow and it is the future of scientific discovery. Well written blog this week!
ReplyDeleteHi! One of the things that I also found interesting was how geckos are the only ones that can climb up walls with the help of the hairs on their feet. It is wild to me to think that their feet attach and detach so calmly and comfortably. Now imagine a world where people are able to climb and run on anything so effortlessly. There has been a moment where scientists have recreated a same feel-like but have encountered problems while doing so.
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