In the 15^th century Johannes Gutenberg invented the mechanical printing machine that brought Renaissance in Europe as well as in the rest of the world. 21^st century, being the era of nanotechnology, is experiencing another revolutionary discipline of art - the Nano Art.

The images and sculptures created at molecule and atomic level are considered as Nano Art. They are not photographic arts but sculptures scientifically captured by monochromatic electron microscope and then transformed into images by using photons through physical and chemical processes. The particles infiltrate deep in the sculptures to create images with more depth that promises to give more natural three dimensional look to the images.

In May, 2007, the first international nanoart festival was held in Finland (www.nanoart21.org), which brought together a number of artworks by nanoartists and scientists in a gallery. According to the curator of the show, Cris Orfescu, nanotechnology can be used as an extremely powerful tool to improve our lifestyle; but simultaneously it can be an annihilating weapon. With the intention to encourage interest among general public about nanotechnology and its usages, effects and consequences on our lives he initiated for the online competition of nanoarts that he defines as “appealing and creative way to communicate with general public”.

Living in the nano age we experience the impact of nano science on every aspect of our lives. A recent nano invention that shocked us, is the smallest refrigerator ever, 25 by 15 micrometers, that is capable of cooling an object down to -459 degree Fahrenheit. We have smallest USB receiver and ultra small Bluetooth, not larger than a size of a coin, the nano-bible, nano robots and many more such things.

However, decreasing the size, pico (1picometer is 10^-12 of a meter while 1nanometer is 10^-9) has come into the picture.

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Truly, science is beautiful. There’s a whole universe waiting for you to see at the nanoscale. Here’s a bunch of links guaranteed to blow away your imagination. Some are art inspired by science.

1. Striking Nanoscale Images

2. University of Cambridge

3. Swiss Nanoscience Institute

4. Nanoscience Animation

5. Nanoscale Bugs

6. Art of Science

7. Nanomedicine Art Gallery

Imagine a world without disease. Nanotechnology is getting there, combating deadly diseases as in cancer. A newly launched cancer drug Abraxane promises more longeivity for patients suffering from breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second largest cause of death among women diagonosed with cancer in India. The oncotherapeutic drug, Abraxane, is launched by Biocon in alliance with US-based Abraxis Bio Science. 

Abraxane is the first nanotechnology based anti-cancer drug administered in albumin-bound particles of approximately 130 nanometres and takes advantage of albumin to transport the drug to the tumour tissue. This method reduces side effects and is much more safer to use.

Abraxane will be available in India as a single-use 100mg vial, which will be marketed to hospitals and be available to patients on prescription . The drug will cost 40% less in India than in the US, in the range of $400 as against its current US price of $1,000.

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Forget electricity bills and power shortages. MIT researchers say let there be light and your entire house lights up. How? By coating your windows with nano paint that serve as solar concentrators, you will be able to energise your entire house. 

Using glass sheets coated in organic dyes, MIT researchers were able to concentrate the light hitting the panes. according to the researchers, ‘the dyes absorbed the light, then emitted it into the glass, which carried the light to the edges of the pane much as fiber-optic cables transport light over distances’.

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The second Bangalore Nano will be held in December 12-14 this year. This year’s focus is on products and nano research all over the country.  “The theme of this year will be nanotechnology for the future, Bangalore nano will include a forum for research, partnership and exchange of ideas.

A conference and exhibition will be part of the event” says event organizer Jagadish Matenkar of MM Active. The event will focus on nanotechnology and its impact on India’s future with special attention on industry and manufacturing, energy and environment, food and agriculture, electronics and chemicals. The event is expected to attract 500 delegates from the world over including Australia, britain, Germany, France, Japan, Korea and the US.

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As part of the Indian government initiative, Bangalore will have one of the three nanoscience centres in the country, according to the IT-BT secretary Ashok Kumar C Manoli. The centre, to be located in Dasanapura hobli along Bangalore-Tumkur road is expected to be on par with the Indian Institute of Science, to which, the central governament  is contributing Rs.100 crore.

Little steps in the right direction, let’s hope it gets bigger and better in reality!

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