Similar to the paradigm shift between art and science,
nanotechnology is a relatively new field that offers many new possibilities for
science in the future. This growing
field has changed the way scientists approach nature and is so unique since it
doesn’t follow the theories from classical physics. Some things on the macro scale may seem
opaque while its transparent in the nanoscale or be inert on the macro scale,
while combustible in the nano scale. However,
as technology progresses, this field is sure to be the one leading the charge
as scientists look for ways to compress older technology while introducing
newer and smaller inventions such as the medical device shown below.
Nanotechnology refers to matter sizes in the range of 1 to 100
nanometers. Thus, the scanning tunneling
microscope technique or more commonly referred as STM was developed for imaging
surfaces at the atomic level. It’s
atomic sized tip scans across the surface and its Cartesian position is
translated to form an image of the surface at the atomic level. In addition, STM can manipulate the surface
when a current is applied through the tip such as the brilliant art piece shown
below.
Complex structures in nature can also be explained through
viewing them in nano-scale. A common
example is the wings of a Blue Morpho.
This butterfly’s wings are so reflective and can be noticed from an
airplane flying a mile above it. By
examining its wings in nano-scale, scientists observed a unique structure in
the wings that caused its blue hue instead of the more common assumption of a
blue pigment. Christmas tree structures
pocket air and combined with the proteins around it, manipulate light to
produce such a nice blue color. A whole
subdivision called nanophotonics exists to study this phenomenon and create
colors that change while keeping them nontoxic.
Works Cited:
"The Nanotechnology Times." The Nanotechnology Times. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 July 2014.
"Wesoloski LTSTM Webpage." Wesoloski LTSTM Webpage. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 July 2014.
"Blue Morpho." Blue Morpho. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 July 2014.
"Nanotech Jim Pt2." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 27 July 2014.
"Nanotech Jim Pt5." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 27 July 2014.
Kevin,
ReplyDeleteI like that you tied in the difference between classical and quantum physics, and how classical theories don't necessarily apply on such a small scale. It's really interesting to think about how a completely different world exists on a nano level, which influences how we perceive our own world.