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DESMA 9 Week 8



The first time I learned about nanotechnology was in Secondary 2, the Grade 8 equivalent in the British system. I was intrigued to learn that elements have different properties at nanoscopic levels. Serendipitously, it also answered my question regarding waterless urinals, since those work due to nanoscopic particles coating the urinal surface which bond to urea. Hence, this week’s lecture served more as a reminder than an introduction into the fascinating world of nanoparticles.
Electron Microscope Image of Carbon Monoxide
Nevertheless, Professor Vesna’s lecture reminded me of pictures from an electron microscope, specifically, the “Quantum Corrals” which, true to its similar namesake, looked like sea corals. The initial image produced from the tunnelling electron microscope is black and white. Color is then added via computer programs to made the image more intuitive. While that fact might be easily glossed over, it also serves as an example of how art coexist and even benefits science. Choosing the right color to represent regions of the image requires a keen understanding of the audience’s perception, which is a common trait among successful artist. Superficially, the colored images can also be passed off as art pieces due to its aesthetically pleasing look. Off tangent, an interesting fact I came across was that small bumps in the image represents heavy objects while large bumps equate to light objects.
Whimsical yet Informative Book by a CERN Scientist
Personally, aside from my teachers, another thing that helped my understanding of the nanoscopic world would be the book “Alice in Quantum Land” by Robert Gilmore. It is a twist on the literary classic, “Alice in Wonderland”, except this time Alice experiences how particles behave when at the quantum state. The book endearingly fuses scientific knowledge with its whimsical cast, making the dense field of nanotechnology more palatable, especially for a child in secondary school. More importantly, it highlighted the differences in thinking between the Newtonian and modern physicist. Another similar teaching tool would be Dr. Quantum, in which quantum mechanics are simplified and explained by an eccentric cartoon professor.
Example of Successful Simplification of Abstract Concepts
Hence, it is clear to see that art in its multitude of forms can help and has when it comes to disseminating scientific information. Dealing with such an abstract and dense topic like nanotechnology is often difficult for most people. Ergo, art is the perfect medium to quantize and present information in more easily understood packages. On a larger scale, given how vast the scientific community is, often it is hard to understand another person’s work without at least rudimentary knowledge in that field. Thus, art can be deployed to better our understanding of the world without familiarity in that field being a pre-requisite. 

Sources:
Fiete, Gregory A., and Eric J. Heller. "Theory of Quantum Corrals and Quantum Mirages." [cond-mat/0211607] Theory of Quantum Corrals and Quantum Mirages. N.p., 28 Apr. 2003. Web. 24 May 2017. <https://arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0211607>.
"Quantum corrals." Quantum corrals - ScienceDirect. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2017. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/016727899400254N>.
Popova, Maria. "Alice in Quantumland: A Charming Illustrated Allegory of Quantum Mechanics by a CERN Physicist." Brain Pickings. N.p., 31 Aug. 2016. Web. 24 May 2017. <https://www.brainpickings.org/2014/01/30/alice-in-quantumland-robert-gilmore/>.
"Waterless Odorless Urinal System." IIPRD. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2017. <http://www.iiprd.com/mechanical-green/waterless-odorless-urinal-system/>.
"Fred Alan Wolf, Ph.D." Fred Alan Wolf, Ph.D. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2017. <http://www.fredalanwolf.com/>.

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