Nanometer-size materials occur all around us in nature, but it was only 20 years ago, thanks to IBM's introduction of the scanning tunneling microscope, that scientists began to observe and manipulate materials at the atomic level.

FORBES: The science of small

"A whole new world opened up with the introduction of acrylics and canvas -- the changing of materials let their creativity just really open up, " said Adrian Mibus, director of Whitford Fine Art gallery in London, which is currently holding a selling exhibition of Aboriginal art.

CNN: Aboriginal artists ignore spotty art market

She says that picking patterns and materials, customizing them to her own needs, and then producing a finished product was an excellent introduction to problem solving.

FORBES: Linda Hudson, First Female CEO In Defense, Reflects On What It Takes