Week 8: Nanotech + Art

-

I think it was very interesting to start off this weeks studies by suggesting that nanotechnology is what is going to push technology over the edge in the 21 Century. The most interesting topics for me this week consisted of a Ted talk, by Ray Kurzweil addressing singularity and a lecture by James K. Gimewski discussing the use of nanoparticles to improve human life. 

woman sitting on grass outside smiling 

In the Ted Talk, I was fascinated by Ray's understanding of the progression of technology. For example, Ray uses an anecdote from our everyday lives detailing the rapid expansion of chips used in computers to transfer information and the decreasing in size of those chips into phones and storing even more knowledge, being more advanced the smaller they get. Ray also expresses the use of solar technology and how the application of nanotechnology is accelerating the benefits from it. 

Researchers find benefits of solar photovoltaics outweigh costs | MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyChip (SoC) Inside Your Phone ...

Additionally, the lecture by James K. Gimewski was completely captivating. He suggests that nano-medicine is going to change the medical field and how nano particles are going to form new ways of treatment and create more advanced medicines. One type of development includes Nano-dots, which are being used for their miniature size to infiltrate the blood brain barrier and target diseases by reflecting color. The intrigue in these Nano-dots inspired me to do more research which allowed me to come across LED lighting. This allowed me to understand the contrast of art and nanotech because the lights add an artistic flare to this scientific tool.


Citations: 

Alvarado. “6 Ways to Improve Your Quality of Life - San Diego: API.” Alvarado Parkway Institute, 16 Mar. 2018, apibhs.com/2018/03/16/how-to-improve-quality-of-life.

Kurzweil, Ray. “A University for the Coming Singularity.” Ray Kurzweil: A University for the Coming Singularity | TED Talk, www.ted.com/talks/ray_kurzweil_a_university_for_the_coming_singularity?language=en. Accessed 27 May 2024.

“Learn about LED Lighting.” ENERGY STAR, www.energystar.gov/products/light_bulbs/learn-about-led-lighting. Accessed 27 May 2024.

Nancy W. Stauffer  |  MIT Energy Initiative. “Researchers Find Benefits of Solar Photovoltaics Outweigh Costs.” MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology, news.mit.edu/2020/researchers-find-solar-photovoltaics-benefits-outweigh-costs-0623. Accessed 27 May 2024.

“Nanotech Jim PT4.” YouTube, YouTube, 21 May 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHCuZetAIhk&t=269s.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 4: MedTech + Art

-
Image
     For centuries, art has shaped society in many ways. From early doctors trying to identify parts of the body to depictions of pain and onward to memorializing beautiful souls. We see these two fields in every day life and it is truly amazing. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of the medical field and the artistic realm has been transformative to the health and formation of society.      When humans starting dissecting bodies, they had to use art in order to make a map of the human body. They had to clearly sketch every detail and shadow in order to identify specific bones, muscles and structures. In addition, it was important to seek the cadavers in order to see the internal anatomy and discover the functions of human parts aside from injury.      According to Virgil Wong, an artist who works with technology to improve human health, "Medicine helps us live longer lives, but art is about why we live"(Virgil Wong).   I think this quote is truly profound in building a culture o
Read more

Week 2: Math + Art

-
Image
       Three insights I have gained from this weeks material includes the beauty of fractals, the theorem of vanishing points and finally the beauty of numbers in the movie "Beautiful Mind". These three topics I found astoundingly interesting. First of all, fractals are these beautiful geometric shapes that form magnificent patterns and can be used in math for topography and include "fractional dimension". I think these shapes are interesting because we can see them in our everyday lives. For example, your walking around and you see a spiderweb weaved in many different angles, ways and forms, with multiple layers to it.            Math and Art are combined everywhere. Additionally, I thought the theorem of vanishing points was very interesting. The parallel lines and non parallel lines point to meet a vanishing point. This point creates a line of vision and it is guided by these lines. Again this feature is not only relevant in the math and art world, but it is noti
Read more

Week 3: Robotics and Art

-
Image
      Industrialization is the key ingredient into making America what it is today. Starting from the first civilization, people have been using tools and technology in order to make life simpler, efficient and all around better.  For example, the printing press created by the Chinese in 1040, allowed for the quicker and quality production of books and newspapers which expanded education and grew the media.       Additionally, philosopher, Walter Benjamin, helped expand the popular culture phenomenon through the production of children's literature and writing about toys, travel, gambling etc. Therefore, the discussion of these topics helped shape society and created a better understanding for the worlds top commodities.       Some may argue that we as a society are moving too fast, and, the industrialization of society is dangerous. The machines and factories that have been created are polluting earth and causing more damage to society. In the movie Wall-e, we follow the last robot
Read more