This week’s lecture focused on Nanotechnology and Art. Professor Jim Gimzweski of UCLA stated in our
lecture that nature shows “the ability of molecules and systems to organize
themselves into hierarchical structures”.
It’s this fundamental principle that scientists and engineers are
relying on as they move forward with their research. Richard Feynman and Eric Drexler have been
credited with theoretical concepts that have helped scientists understand
chemistry on an atomic and molecular level.
In the early 1980’s, the scanning tunneling microscope and the discovery
of buckminsterfullerene (a new form of carbon) revolutionized science and
pushed the nanotechnology industry forward.
The applications of nanotechnology can be seen in our
smartphones, computers, cars, and food.
This growing industry is one of the reasons I am currently studying
Chemistry/Materials Science Engineering at UCLA. One of my Professors, Ric Kaner, presented
his research in a short film which highlighted the potential of
nanotechnology. Professor Kaner’s research
shows the relationship between nanotechnology and art. The video clip below would peak the interest
of anyone with a smartphone or enthusiasts of electric cars.
One area of nanotechnology that I never considered was its application
to the food industry. Genetically
modified products are being used throughout the world, and especially in the
United States. Authors of the article, Nanotechnology and the Developing World,
detailed possible solutions to global health concerns through the use of
nanotechnology. For specific applications
of nanotechnology already in progress, they listed, “Nanocomposites for plastic
film coatings used in food packaging, nanowire and nanobelt nanosensors for
disease diagnosis, and magnetic nanoparticles for water treatment and
remediation”.
While these scientists support the use of nanotechnology,
there are various groups who counter their claims and warn of dangers to come
in the future. One of those groups is
the ETC group. Their website states, “ETC Group has called
for a moratorium on the environmental release or commercial use of
nanomaterials, a ban on self-assembling nanomaterials and on patents on
nanoscale technologies”.
Regardless of opposing point of views, nanotechnology will
continue to gain momentum in the future.
As consumers become aware of the ways nanotechnology can affect their lives,
ethical and moral debates will continue to arise. Scientists and engineers are making
groundbreaking finds each year and it will be interesting to see where the
field of nanotechnology takes us in the future.
SOURCES:
Gimzweski, Jim. “Nanotech for Artists Part 5”. Cole UC online. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/63226/wiki/unit-8-view?module_item_id=970451>.
“Nano Tech: Graphene ‘Semiconductor, UltraCapacitor’ Super
Batteries”. YouTube. 17 June 2013. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuHrUnCOWWo>.
“Scanning tunneling microscopy”. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.
<http://www.ieap.uni-kiel.de/surface/ag-kipp/stm/stm.htm/>.
“Fullerene”. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fullerene>.
Salamanca-Buentello, Fabio; Persad, Deepa L.; Court, Erin B.; Martin, Douglas K.; Daar, Abdallah S.; Singer, Peter A. “Nanotechnology and the Developing World”. Policy Forum, Volume 2, Issue 5. May 2005. Web. 20 Nov 2013. <http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.0020097&representation=PDF>.
Salamanca-Buentello, Fabio; Persad, Deepa L.; Court, Erin B.; Martin, Douglas K.; Daar, Abdallah S.; Singer, Peter A. “Nanotechnology and the Developing World”. Policy Forum, Volume 2, Issue 5. May 2005. Web. 20 Nov 2013. <http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/fetchObject.action?uri=info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pmed.0020097&representation=PDF>.
“Applying nanotechnology to water treatment”. Web. 20 Nov
2013. <http://www.nanowerk.com/spotlight/spotid=6810.php>.
“Nanotechnology: Possible Risks to People and the
Environment”. Web. 20 Nov 2013. <http://phys.org/news581.html>.
It's cool that you are studying MatSci Engineering. Are you doing nanotech as your technical breadth? Good job with connecting it to your major. I really enjoyed watching the video and learning what other professors and researchers are pursuing at UCLA.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, just like you, I was also surprised about the usage of nanotechnology in our foods. GMOs is such a big topic that it overshadowed this thought. How do you think society will react once nanotechnology is more known about in society? Will it have a negative connotation like genetically modified organisms? Where do you personally side with?