There are scientists, and there are artists. Now, there are art scientists. In his new book, “Artscience: Creativity in the Post-Google Generation” (Harvard University Press, 208 pages, $19.95), David Edwards explains how this group of thinkers melds the two disciplines in innovative ways to make lasting and important breakthroughs for the betterment of humanity, culture, academia, and industry.

According to Mr. Edwards, an art scientist doesn’t just conceive of an idea, test it in a lab, or paint it on a canvas, and move on. An art scientist translates the idea into a stage of realization that has value, be it economic, educational, or social. Driven individuals combine science and art to create projects that are more easily propelled over the traditional obstacles that often keep good ideas from getting off the ground.

Mr. Edwards’s examples include an artist who creates a new way to mix fluids by combining his artistic and scientific backgrounds, a concert pianist who composes music based on chaos theory, and a doctor who uses photography to document suffering and to teach others how to treat it. These art scientists share a process called “idea translation,” where passion, study, integrity, vision, and struggle against resistance are common to all. They produce results that are tangible and can be utilized in the outside world.

Art scientists, according to Mr. Edwards, are a new breed who have come of age in the post-Google world. But, he mentions only in passing the giants on whose shoulders we all stand. For example, da Vinci certainly melded art and science in his work, and while Aristotle’s contributions to physics, poetics, and botany (to name a few) may not seem revolutionary now, he the laid the groundwork for modern technology. And these are just two examples of pre-Google art scientists. Mr. Edwards also outlines a physical space where these ideas are born and come to fruition: “a laboratory that accelerates idea translation across barriers of artscience through collaboration between artists and scientists.” One such lab is Eyebeam, a space in Chelsea, where “Feedback,” an exhibition developed by artists, scientists, and engineers focusing on the issue of sustainability, opens tonight at 6 p.m.

Founded in 1997, Eyebeam was first established by John Johnson as a place for new media artists to develop work. Over the years, it has grown to house three labs for research and development, production, and education. Fellows and artists are given space and funds to do work there, and these artists work together to develop ideas and share their skills — just the kind of collaboration outlined by Mr. Edwards.

Several of the Eyebeam fellows and artists have an interest in sustainability, leading them eventually to form the sustainability research group. The group’s discussions evolved into an idea for an exhibit. Earlier this year, Eyebeam held an open call for sustainability pieces, dubbed the “Eco-Vis Challenge,” and tapped its own talent pool to populate the gallery with artworks.

Nineteen artists will display their projects at the Eyebeam space. The projects range from the “The Revolution Door: Power by the People,” a revolving door that generates the power that lights up the entrance to the “Feedback” exhibit, designed by Jennifer Broutin and Carmen Trudell of Fluxxlab, to a study of the human body as its own ecosystem, called “DrinkPeeDrinkPeeDrinkPee.” The piece, by Britta Riley and Rebecca Bray, takes viewers through the process of transforming personal waste into drinking water and explains how trace amounts of pharmaceuticals leech into the water supply. The project also offers a do-it-yourself kit to turn urine into fertilizer for houseplants.

“Feedback” is an interactive exhibition featuring lectures and activities, as well as interactive works like the “CommitteeCaller.” The piece, by Fred Benenson, enables viewers to make phone calls to elected officials and others to discuss sustainability. In an effort to lessen its own footprint, Eyebeam is using flashlights powered by a hand pump to light the show, in addition to the human-powered revolving door.

Mr. Edwards’s idea of the lab comes alive in the “Feedback” show. Its inception was based on the collaboration of artists, scientists, and engineers who worked together to create an exhibition that draws people into the science behind sustainability in creative, visual ways they can understand. It’s what art science is all about.

“Feedback” opens tonight at 6 p.m. and runs through April 19 at the Eyebeam gallery at 541 W. 21st St.