Unit 8: NanoTech & Art

http://www.ecouterre.com/tag/nrdc/

Professor Jim Gimzewski of UCLA’s CNSI stated that, “Every aspect of science and technology is somehow impacted by nanotechnology” (Gimzewski). After what I observed in this lecture, this statement could not be more true; nanotechnology has the potential to completely change our world. Currently, there are only 1,000 products on the market that are made from nanotechnology; this number is expected to 100,000 in a few short years (Gimzewski). This list already includes bed sheets, cleaning products, clothing, cosmetics, household appliances, luggage and home furnishings (Nanotech Products). Nanotechnology can lead us to a cleaner, greener world by creating edible food packaging and self-cleaning fabrics that reduce the number of times we wash our clothes (Gimzewski). To boot, scientists are developing nanofood; this is a way to completely personalize every facet of your nutritional experience (Gimzewski).

http://www.bidnessetc.com/business/nanocosmetics-harmonizing-science-and-beauty/

Although, nanotechnology can have the most immediate impact on human lives with nanomedicine, especially when it comes to cancer. Nanotechnology can detect cancer at an earlier state and provide a more accurate diagnosis (NCI). Also, the current treatments are “limited to surgery, radiation and chemotherapy” and can damage the perfectly healthy tissue  (NCI). The creation of nanoparticles allows scientists to create a tiny particle that can pass through the blood brain barrier to target specific cells, saving the surrounding tissues (Gimzewski).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emEua2eJp1U

UCLA’s CNSI continues to do their part with their newly developed NanoVelcro Chip, which can extract and analyze cancer cells circulating in patients’ blood (UCLA Newsroom). The NanoVelcro chip controls the blood temperature almost life a coffee maker. This way scientists can individualize a patient’s treatment by discovering where the original tumor was and discover if cancer cells have spread (UCLA Newsroom). In addition, CNSI is developing a new treatment to cure pancreatic cancer with a nano drug that can enter the bloodstream and attack the targeted tumor (UCLA Newsroom).

http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-scientists-use-nanovelcro-and-temperature-control-to-extract-tumor-cells-from-blood

In my opinion, nanotechnology should be considered the ultimate art form in all of science because of the detail and precision that it takes to research and develop. From the work done in the laboratories, to the visual images created, to the journals written to understand and learn, to the cutting-edge technology developed to create and manipulate nanoparticles, nanotechnology proves to be an art that will have a major impact on my life in the near future.

Citations:

Gimzewski, Jim. "Nanotech Jim Pt1." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web.

Gimzewski, Jim. "Nanotech Jim Pt3." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web.

Gimzewski, Jim. "Nanotech Jim Pt4." YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web.

"Impacts on Cancer." Understanding Nanotechnology: Impacts on Cancer. National Cancer Institute, n.d. Web.

"Nanotechnology Platform Shows Promise for Treating Pancreatic Cancer." UCLA Newsroom. N.p., n.d. Web.

"The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies: All Products." Nanotech Products. N.p., n.d. Web.

"UCLA Scientists Use 'NanoVelcro' and Temperature Control to Extract Tumor Cells from Blood." UCLA Scientists Use 'NanoVelcro' and Temperature Control to Extract Tumor Cells from Blood. UCLA Newsroom, n.d. Web.