MaxMDesma9

At last, space. Perhaps the topic that sums up the past nine weeks of lessons. Space is vast and vague. Our solar system is "space", our entire observable universe is "space", all dimensions of space and time is also "space". Unlike previously discussed topics, there are areas of space that our physics of earth cannot apply. Although humans have limitations in the exploration and understanding of space, we have never stopped from imagining. This week I watched the latest work from Scott Ridley, Alien Covenant.  A prequel to a science fiction film series that neglects Darwin's Evolution Theory. In short, the humans have already advanced to a level past Type I civilization of the Kardashev Scale, about a hundred years ahead of our technology. Shown in the previous film Prometheus, the humans believe they were created by a more advanced species. The film has a complex plot and storyline, where one film answers some mysteries of the previous film, but al

NanoTech is a category of science by itself, manipulating matter on a nano level that our eyes cannot perceive. This week we learned that nanotechnology's current stage of development and its potential of changing art and design's experience. As Colin Milburn said, we are in a Blue Period of NanoTech and art. Nano operations are tactile and appreciated to some degree, but more importantly the corresponding collapse of the domain of art and the domain of science by meticulous engagements of atomized materiality.  Nanotechnologists such as Don Eigler and James Gimzewski have contributed in the art by producing nano images and exhibiting them in galleries. Blue Nickel, Don Eigler This is Nanofacture, the fabrication of nano images. Not to be confused with nanotechnology, which is the manipulation through the image to make, cut, combine, etc... For example, the scientists at the Department of Energy of UC Berkeley have formulated an invisibility cloak that can cover 3D

Santiago Ramón y Cajal, who is known as the father of modern neuroscience, created many phenomenal drawings that clearly illustrated the structure of the brain. Long before neuroimaging's existance, Cajal crafted drawings from countless brain cell observations. He realized that the brain was a network of neurons, and down his path of contributions, he earned a Nobel prize in 1906. Here are two of his illustrations, Mammalian Retina on the left, and the nueral circuitry on the right.  Artist and neurologist  Dr. Greg Dunn and Dr.Brian Edwards who is an artist and applied physicist created a project named Self Reflected. It shows an accurate representation of a slice of brain through a technique called microetching. Dunn stated that Self Reflected's purpose is to mirror the functioning of the viewer's mind. it is a direct reflection of human conciousness. T wo neuroscience undergraduate students at the University of Pennsylvania, Melissa Beswick and Carl Wittig, contrib

Link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BwA2l4eNkHA5dGdZQVZxYlFFLXM

I remember I read an article not long ago that Stratasys a 3D printing and manufacturing company developed a 3D printing technology that helps improve maxillofaca surgeries at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, UK. According to online resources, their Objet Eden 350 3D Printer can print customized models to help with pre-surgical procedures. They stated that it would help them to save 93% of planning time, and an additional 4 hours of operation time, and reduce a total of 20,000 pounds per operation.  Most of the patients who benefit from this are trauma and cancer patients, it would be especially benificial to those with facial or cranial tumours. I believe such innovative advancements in medical technology is very important and helpful. 3D printing is often linked with design, but in this case it is used for surgical planning and its data shown for efficiency and cost reduction is just incredible. I also can't help to think about Silvia Casini's article about MRI

Robotics and artificial intelligence is not only the next stage of development for art and design, but it has always been a contributing factor. In this week's lecture, we have learned the early mechanics, production, and industrialization of robotics. I remember as a child I was hooked on a TV show named Battlebots where teams compete in matches with their robots. Fast forward to today, we encounter robotics with 3D printing, laser cutting, CNC, VR and more. One of my friends' studies at Sci-Arc and they have a robot lab facility. The lab consists of multiple pairs of robot arms to assist with student's architecture models. Usually for more complex projects that require an insane amount of detailed work. In the resources section, I found the artist Gijs Van Bon and his robot Nightwriter Nyx. The robot was programmed to write poetry by using light and I was quite fascinated by something simple yet amazing. I think it is quite inspirational for viewers to observe the p