NANOTECH + ART
Nanotechnology, though the field still feels incredibly surreal for me, opens up a world of possibilities across various domains. Richard Feynman, the physicist considered the father of nanotechnology, provided groundbreaking ideas on manipulating matter at the atomic scale, which laid the foundation for this field. His concepts of miniaturization and information storage in small spaces continue to influence and drive advancements in the field, leading to the transformative impact of nanotechnology in various industries.
An art that I encountered that employed nanotechnology is Vik Muniz’s Sandcastles series. Starting with sketches of Loire Valley, these were then etched onto a single grain of sand using an ion beam controlled by a computer. This demonstrates the power of transcending traditional mediums and embracing cutting-edge possibilities offered by nanotechnology.
However, as with any emerging field, there is a tendency for misinformation and exaggeration to seep into public discourse, as seen in pop culture. With my involvement in pop culture, I find myself associating nanotechnology with Tony Stark, the iconic technological genius in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). One of his most significant contributions is the integration of nanotechnology into his Iron Man suits. Nanotech plays a pivotal role in Stark's suit advancements, allowing him to achieve unprecedented levels of versatility and power. With a simple gesture, he can summon his suit, which forms around him seamlessly. In Infinity War, he was able to utilize this technology by pivoting parts of his suits where he needed them the most when fighting Thanos. MCU has intertwined art and the concept of nanotechnology to create visually striking and innovative concepts. While the portrayal of nanotechnology in MCU makes for an engaging narrative, it is important to recognize that the depiction veers into the realm of fiction and it can lead to misconceptions and unrealistic expectations about the capabilities of nanotechnology. However, it can inspire scientific curiosity and spark interest in the field, especially among younger audiences.
As nanotechnology continues to advance, ethical considerations arise regarding its applications and potential impact on society. Issues such as privacy, environmental impact, and health and safety must be carefully addressed to prevent the spread of fears or misplaced expectations. The goal of nanotechnology is to promote better life quality, we must ensure that the workers handling this tech are protected from harm. This is something that we must have open discussions and thoughtful regulations to make sure that we’re being responsible with this given possibility.
Text:
Ayala, Nicolas. “Every Version of the MCU Iron Man Armor Tony Stark Built.” ScreenRant, 15 Apr. 2023, screenrant.com/iron-man-suit-armor-versions-tony-stark-mcu/.
Clavin, Whitney. “Remembering Richard Feynman.” California Institute of Technology, 4 Apr. 2018, www.caltech.edu/about/news/remembering-richard-feynman-81875.
Gimzewski, Jim, and Victoria Vesna. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science, artsci.ucla.edu/sites/artsci.ucla.edu/files/publications/The%20Nanomeme%20Syndrome.pdf. Accessed 27 May 2023.
Levine, Angela. “Vik Muniz: Master of Special Effects.” Midnight East, 28 Apr. 2014, www.midnighteast.com/mag/?p=29127.
Schulte, Paul A., and Fabio Salamanca-Buentello. "Ethical and scientific issues of nanotechnology in the workplace." Environmental health perspectives 115.1 (2007): 5-12.
Vesna, Victoria. “NanoTech+Art.” DESMA 9. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/160989/pages/unit-8-agenda?module_item_id=5946346. Accessed 26 May 2023.
Images:
Amcu. "Mark 50 Suit." Comic Vine, 18 Aug. 2018, comicvine.gamespot.com/forums/gen-discussion-1/mcu-bleeding-edge-iron-man-respect-thread-1971640/.
Jobson, Christopher. "The World’s Smallest Sandcastles Built on Individual Grains of Sand by Vik Muniz and Marcelo Coelho." Colossal, 27 Mar. 2014, www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/03/sandcastles-built-on-grains-of-sand-by-vik-muniz-and-marcelo-coelho/.
Rincon, Paul. "Richard Feynman In His 1959 Lecture." BBC, 5 Oct. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37563673.
Richard Feynman, Father of Nanotechnology
An art that I encountered that employed nanotechnology is Vik Muniz’s Sandcastles series. Starting with sketches of Loire Valley, these were then etched onto a single grain of sand using an ion beam controlled by a computer. This demonstrates the power of transcending traditional mediums and embracing cutting-edge possibilities offered by nanotechnology.
Sandcastle by Vin Muniz
However, as with any emerging field, there is a tendency for misinformation and exaggeration to seep into public discourse, as seen in pop culture. With my involvement in pop culture, I find myself associating nanotechnology with Tony Stark, the iconic technological genius in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). One of his most significant contributions is the integration of nanotechnology into his Iron Man suits. Nanotech plays a pivotal role in Stark's suit advancements, allowing him to achieve unprecedented levels of versatility and power. With a simple gesture, he can summon his suit, which forms around him seamlessly. In Infinity War, he was able to utilize this technology by pivoting parts of his suits where he needed them the most when fighting Thanos. MCU has intertwined art and the concept of nanotechnology to create visually striking and innovative concepts. While the portrayal of nanotechnology in MCU makes for an engaging narrative, it is important to recognize that the depiction veers into the realm of fiction and it can lead to misconceptions and unrealistic expectations about the capabilities of nanotechnology. However, it can inspire scientific curiosity and spark interest in the field, especially among younger audiences.
Iron Man in 'Infinity War'
As nanotechnology continues to advance, ethical considerations arise regarding its applications and potential impact on society. Issues such as privacy, environmental impact, and health and safety must be carefully addressed to prevent the spread of fears or misplaced expectations. The goal of nanotechnology is to promote better life quality, we must ensure that the workers handling this tech are protected from harm. This is something that we must have open discussions and thoughtful regulations to make sure that we’re being responsible with this given possibility.
Sources
Text:
Ayala, Nicolas. “Every Version of the MCU Iron Man Armor Tony Stark Built.” ScreenRant, 15 Apr. 2023, screenrant.com/iron-man-suit-armor-versions-tony-stark-mcu/.
Clavin, Whitney. “Remembering Richard Feynman.” California Institute of Technology, 4 Apr. 2018, www.caltech.edu/about/news/remembering-richard-feynman-81875.
Gimzewski, Jim, and Victoria Vesna. The Nanomeme Syndrome: Blurring of Fact & Fiction in the Construction of a New Science, artsci.ucla.edu/sites/artsci.ucla.edu/files/publications/The%20Nanomeme%20Syndrome.pdf. Accessed 27 May 2023.
Levine, Angela. “Vik Muniz: Master of Special Effects.” Midnight East, 28 Apr. 2014, www.midnighteast.com/mag/?p=29127.
Schulte, Paul A., and Fabio Salamanca-Buentello. "Ethical and scientific issues of nanotechnology in the workplace." Environmental health perspectives 115.1 (2007): 5-12.
Vesna, Victoria. “NanoTech+Art.” DESMA 9. https://bruinlearn.ucla.edu/courses/160989/pages/unit-8-agenda?module_item_id=5946346. Accessed 26 May 2023.
Images:
Amcu. "Mark 50 Suit." Comic Vine, 18 Aug. 2018, comicvine.gamespot.com/forums/gen-discussion-1/mcu-bleeding-edge-iron-man-respect-thread-1971640/.
Jobson, Christopher. "The World’s Smallest Sandcastles Built on Individual Grains of Sand by Vik Muniz and Marcelo Coelho." Colossal, 27 Mar. 2014, www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/03/sandcastles-built-on-grains-of-sand-by-vik-muniz-and-marcelo-coelho/.
Rincon, Paul. "Richard Feynman In His 1959 Lecture." BBC, 5 Oct. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-37563673.
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