Improved Tracking Via Nanotechnology

The material that most influenced my understanding of this week's material was Dr. Gimzewski's Lecture III, Dr. Gimzewski's Lecture IV, Ray Kurzweil's TED talk, and Nicolaos Christodoulides' abstract on programmable bio-nano-chips. Prior to Dr.Gimzewski's lecture I was under the impression that nanotechnology was currently under development and not actively used in consumer products; however, Dr.Gimzewski showed that nanoparticles are already utilized in over 1000 products, including sunscreen, cosmetic products, and food (uconlineprogram. “Nanotech Jim pt3” and uconlineprogram. “Nanotech Jim pt 5”). Although I was acutely aware of the exponential changes in computing technology, Ray Kurweil's TED talk elucidated that many other areas within technology are also undergoing exponential changes. Namely, the time and price of DNA sequencing is exponentially decreasing and production of photovoltaic energy is exponentially increasing (TED. “Ray Kurzweil...”). Finally, the abstract of Christodoulide's paper furthers Kurweil's sentiment of nanotechnology bringing a paradigm shift in computing by showing the practicality of programmable microcomputer's based on biotechnology and nanotechnology (Christodoulides).

Source: TED. “Ray Kurzweil..."

Nanotechnology (specifically small implantable sensors) will have a significant impact on the quantified-self movement. The quantified-self movement advocates for individuals to determine life choices (like when to go to sleep, what and when to eat, when and how to workout) using personal data collected by sensors placed or implanted into the body. In his TED talk, Amal Graafstra showed how he implanted a glass IR sensor into his hand, enabling him to open doors without keys. Although Graafstra was successful in his implantation endeavors, he shows that others have incurred great injury in trying to replicate his implantation (TEDx Talks). Advances in nanotechnology will allow implantable programmable computers into the human body to safely allow integrated self-tracking and identification mechanisms (like IR sensors).

 Source: TEDx Talks

 Source: TED. “Gary Wolf..."

 

Videos

TEDx Talks. “Biohacking - the forefront of a new kind of human evolution: Amal Graafstra at TEDxSFU” YouTube. YouTube, 17 Oct 2013. Web. 22 July 2016.

TED. “Ray Kurzweil: A university for the coming singularity” YouTube. YouTube, 2 June 2009. Web. 22 July 2016.

TED. “Gary Wolf: The quantified self” YouTube. YouTube, 27 Sep 2010. Web. 22 July 2016.

Citations 

“art in the age of nanotechnology: A Perth International Arts Festival exhibition” John Curtin Gallery. art.base, 30 April 2010. Web. 22 July 2016.

Christodoulides, Nicolaos, et al. “Programmable Bio-Nano-Chip Technology for the Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Disease at the Point-of-Care.” Methodist DeBakey Cardiovascular Journal. National Center for BioTechnology Information, 2012. Web. 22 July 2016. 

Dillow, Clay. “The World's First Programmable Nanoprocessor Takes Complex Circuitry to the Nanoscale.” Popular Science. Popular Science, 9 Feb 2011. Web. 22 July 2016.

uconlineprogram. “Nanotech Jim pt1” YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 22 July 2016.

uconlineprogram. “Nanotech Jim pt2” YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 22 July 2016.

uconlineprogram. “Nanotech Jim pt3” YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 22 July 2016.

uconlineprogram. “Nanotech Jim pt4” YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 22 July 2016.

uconlineprogram. “Nanotech Jim pt5” YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 22 July 2016. 

uconlineprogram. “Nanotech Jim pt6” YouTube. YouTube, 21 May 2012. Web. 22 July 2016.