Week 8

Nanotechnology involves manipulating molecules and atoms, but the work of nanotechnology never can be seen.  The molecules are so small that they cannot be seen to the human eye.  The combination of art and nanotechnology is allowing scientists to go to new unchartered territory.   Changing science and technology forever.   

                  

Through art and nanotechnology the exploration of space could go where nobody has gone before.  First off nanotechnology can cut the cost of going into space by reducing the amount of rocket fuel required (Boysen).  Nanotechnology allows the designers at NASA to design smaller and lighter space equipment.  Already smaller spacecrafts called nanosats have been created using nanotechnology.   The goal for the future is to use nanotechnology to get people and spacecrafts to Mars and beyond.  Carbon nanotubes have led scientists to start working on a spectacular space event, the space elevator.  This would be a 22,000 feet long elevator that would go from the ocean to space.   This may seem physically impossible, but nanotechnology has made this seem realistic, because carbon nanotubes enable a cable that strong and high.  Although this idea will probably never be put into work, nanotechnology has made it seem realistic. 

(space elevator)

(nanosat)

Nanotechnology is also being used to save people’s lives.  Nanoparticles are being used in order to see blood cots (new nanoparticles).  This allows doctors to see clots that with normal technology they would not be able to detect.  Nanotechnology is being used in trying to find cancer cures.  When drugs are given to a patient they attack the sick cells but also attack the healthy cells, causing side effects.  Nanotechnology is trying to stop this.  Nanoparticles have been created to bring drugs directly to the infected cells.  Scientists now are trying to get the chemotherapy drugs to deliver directly to the cancer cells.  This would eliminate the terrible side effects of chemotherapy. 

(nanotechnology in cancer)

(nanotehnology in blood)

Nanotechnology just reassures more that art and science are closely related. Although nanotechnology is extremely expensive and may cost people jobs in the future, its benefits still outweigh the disadvantages.  20 years from now maybe cancer will be cured, there could be an elevator to space, or even we discover aliens on Mars. Everyone will have nanotechnology to thank.  

 Bibliography

Boysen, Earl. "Nanotechnology in Medicine - Nanomedicine." Nanotechnology in Medicine. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.

"Nanosat 01." Nanosat 01. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013

"The Nanotechnology Times - Home." The Nanotechnology Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.

New Nanoparticles Make Blood Clots Visible." Nanowiki. N.p., 7 Feb. 2011. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.

Space Elevator." PBS. PBS, 09 Jan. 0000. Web. 20 Nov. 2013.

"The Space Elevator." YouTube. YouTube, 03 July 2007. Web. 24 Nov. 2013.