Week 8 - NanoTech & Art

 NanoTech & Art

    Most of the world is composed of atoms that are not visible to the naked eye. However, these tiny particles create some of the most complex and important things in our daily lives. The intersection between NanoTech and Art can massively aid our understanding of how these invisible particles create an incredibly complex planet. 

    One important example of the intersection between NanoTech and Art is the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM). This microscope is essential used to produce images of surfaces at an atomic level. The tip of the microscope comes so close to the surface that the electrons can be transported between the surface and the tip, which creates a current. This current then generates a 3D view of the surface (APS). 

This technique can diagram processes as invisible as the diffusion of dimers (Zenodo). This is revolutionary, as the technology uses art to produce a readable diagram that is beneficial for so many scientists. Without the visual representation of atomic level particles, it is very difficult to expand and further scientific research. 

(Image of atoms)

    Another example of the two *topics* being used to aid each other is the project NanoforArt. NanoforArt strives to develop nanotechnology that can protect and conserve artwork (NanoforArt). One technology this project produced was "nanoparticle dispersions that stabilize damaged plaster, marble, and other carbonate materials" (European Union). This nanotechnology helps artists preserve their work as well as stabilize it by filling in the surface with nanoparticles similar to the actual surface. 

Nanoparticle dispersion

    The final example of nanotechnology aiding the development of art is nanodroplets that remove oils. Microemulsions are used to remove dirt and unwanted particles from the surface of paintings. This can be beneficial for not only artists today, but also for restoring ancient artwork for people to study today. This technique was used in paintings in the Brancacci Chapel in Italy (Smarthistory). 

Sources 

Burnham , Nancy. “Scanning Probe Microscopy: From Sublime to Ubiquitous.” Physical Review Letters, 2 May 2016, journals.aps.org/prl/scanning-probe-microscopy.

NanoforArt. “NanoforArt.” NanoforArt European Project, 2012, www.nanoforart.eu/.

nanoScience. “Scanning Tunneling Microscopy.” Nanoscience Instruments, 26 July 2018, www.nanoscience.com/techniques/scanning-tunneling-microscopy/.

Papramanik, Suni. “Art Conservation and Nanotechnology: A Wonderful Confluence of Arts and Sciences.” Sustainable Nano, 12 May 2017, sustainable-nano.com/2017/05/12/art-conservation-and-nanotechnology/.

Sottmann, Thomas, and Reinhard Strey. “Microemulsions.” Microemulsions - an Overview | ScienceDirect Topics, 2005, www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/microemulsions.

Swartzentruber, Brian S. “Direct Measurement of Surface Diffusion Using Atom-Tracking Scanning Tunneling Microscopy.” Zenodo, 15 Jan. 1996, zenodo.org/record/1233907#.YKYLZZNue3J.

Throckmorton, James. Polymers & Composites Laboratory, 2018, www.chemeng.drexel.edu/palmesegroup/research/throckmorton/index.html.

van der Weyden, Rogier, et al. “Masaccio, The Tribute Money and Expulsion in the Brancacci Chapel2020.” Smarthistory, 2020, smarthistory.org/masaccio-the-tribute-money-in-the-brancacci-chapel/.