Week 8: Nanotechnology + Art

Before this week’s lecture, I knew nothing about nanotechnology, the field’s advancements, and its relevance in our daily lives. As an economics major, the only time I ever walked past the California Nanosystems Institute building was to grab lunch at the café across from it. Now I understand that we are exposed to nanoparticles by means of the common products we use daily. Silver nanoparticles are used in fabric because they make clothing odor-resistant and kill bacteria and zinc oxide nanoparticles are used in “industrial coatings to protect wood, plastic and textiles from UV ray exposure” (Understandingnano).

Nanotechnology is especially promising in the realm of medicine and can provide great benefits for society. Currently, nanotechnology is being used as the basis for more effective drug delivery systems. In processes such as chemotherapy, scientists hope to use nanoparticles to deliver drugs directly to cancer cells. Nanoparticles are also used to absorb oxygen free radicals and release them in less dangerous states.

Aside from the real-life applications, nanotechnology has also made advancements in art. Paul Rothemund, a Caltech researcher, pioneered a technique called “DNA origami” that “can weave any two-dimensional shape or pattern using DNA molecules” (Than). Rothemund uses a single, long strand of DNA that folds and is stapled together with short strands when heated up automatically. Examples of his work are the smiley face and star shown above. It is mind-blowing to think that nanotechnology allows us to play with the building blocks of life. Simple changes in our genetic coding could have led us to be dogs or gorillas, yet here Rothemund is able to manipulate it to create art (Rothemund).

Another example of nanotechnology and art colliding is Shawn Douglas’s transformation of DNA into a molecular equivalent of sculptor’s clay (Yong). He uses DNA strands to form sculptures 20 to 40 nanometers in size. He begins with a computer using series of single DNA helixes and removes sections until he is satisfied with the design. Douglas has designed a monolith, railed bridge, square nut, and much more. Douglas’ work is an extension of Rothemund’s DNA origami.

"Plasticity in Steel Micro-Pillars" Siddhardtha Pathak

Nanoartist Cris Orfescu is known for creating the NanoArt Exhibition which provides viewers with glimpses into nano-size landscapes that have been colorized using digital photography software (Discovery).

Works Cited:

"Nanotechnology and You – Your Future Might Be Very, Very Tiny." OmniNano.com. OmniNano, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.omninano.org/nano/our-future-and-nanotech>.

"Nanoparticle Applications and Uses ." UnderstandingNano.com. UnderstandingNano, n.d. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.understandingnano.com/nanoparticles.html>.

Rothemund, Paul. "DNA Folding, in Detail." Paul Rothemund:The Astonishing Promise of DNA Folding. TED, 4 Sept. 2008. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_rothemund_details_dna_folding#t-541540>.

Siddartha, Pathak. "Extraordinary Beauty of the NanoArt World: Photos : DNews." DNews. N.p., 12 Dec. 2012. Web. <http://news.discovery.com/tech/scientists-artists-nanoart-exhibition-111109.htm>. 

Than, Ker. "DNA Art: Origami Goes Nano." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 15 Mar. 2006. Web. 24 May 2015. <http://www.livescience.com/634-dna-art-origami-nano.html>.

Yong, Ed. "DNA Sculpture and Origami – a Meeting of Art and Nanotechnology." Science Blogs: Not Exactly Rocket Science. N.p., 20 May 2009. Web. <http://scienceblogs.com/notrocketscience/2009/05/20/dna-sculpture-and-origami-a-meeting-of-art-and-nanotechnol/>.