Introductory Studio: G01 » carmelo zappulla

Natures Trancendence of Light

shwetadas — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 17:55:56 +0000

“Architecture is the masterly, correct and magnificent play of masses brought together in light.” Our eyes are made to see forms in light; light and shade reveal these forms; cubes, cones, spheres, cylinders or pyramids are the great primary forms which light reveals to advantage; the image of these is distinct and tangible within us without ambiguity. It is for this reason that these are beautiful forms, the most beautiful forms. Everybody is agreed to that, the child, the savage and the metaphysician.-Le Corbusier (Vers une architecture, Towards a new Architecture, 1923) Nature’s transcendence of light Where is the beginning of nature’s transcendence of light? Nature’s passion are mainly reflected into light within the darkness, although unknown to exactly where it creates great amount of light, its light seems rare and magical, yet there are thousands of other living things that respond to darkness. There are micro organisms that are immersed in these magical environments and revel in the beauty of this remarkable natural phenomenon, The role of architecture is to use this phenomenon to create an environment that would be one in natures transcendence of light, a cold light that would passionately inflame a space in between architecture and nature, a space that enkindles that darkness is not a closed, numb or end environment but rather an environment that seeks natures magical beauty to create passion within the darkness, an open environment, a space to move passionately, to direct, to see, and to experience the fact that darkness is lightness. An introduction to micro creature-Bioluminescence Algae Bioluminescence is a biological phenomenon of emission of light, involving a bio-chemical reaction by a living organism. This process is widely found in terrestrial as well as aquatic organisms, viz -firefly, glow worms, mushrooms etc and jellyfish, few marine fishes, algae, bacteria etc. respectively. The organisms capture energy through photosynthesis and convert inorganic substances into simple sugars releasing the energy in the form of light. Dinoflagellates are unicellular protists and are usually planktonic- ninety percent are marine plankton. They are small; many are microscopic, although the largest, Noctiluca. Dinoflagellates are motile and swim by two flagella, which are movable protein strands. The longitudinal flagella extends from the sulcal groove at the posterior part of the cell and is responsible for the cells forward movement. The flattened flagella extends from the cingulum groove around the equator of the cell and provides the dinoflagellate with the ability to maneuver. Because of these two flagella, the dinoflagellate spirals when it moves. The Research The research investigates the process of generation and release of photons in the algae, Dinoflagellates. The Dinoflagellates emit light on stimulation, motion and movement. The light discharged is of low intensity and within blue-green spectrum of the wavelength. The major challenges are to: a. Amplify and reflect the low intensity light produce by these micro-organism b. Generation of kinetics through motion to stimulate the micro-organism Aiming at creating a light structure that reflects and amplifies the low intensity light produced by the bioluminiscent algae. A study for amplification of light wave This involves creation of a geometric volume that diverges the light thus widening the angle and extent of the aura. Also, the geometry of the form needs to cater to the multiple reflection factors for dispersing and brightening the light rays. A multi faceted wrap with reflective surface inclined to the illumination direction is envisioned to enhance the light produced. An environment and system for Micro-organisms The basic elements for the growth of algae are passive sunlight for photosynthesis. The optimum temperature required is 21°-26°C. The motion stimulates the algae leading it to a biochemical reaction that produces light energy. The nutrients keep them alive and help them multiply. The continuous reproduction assisted by the nutrients is the reason for regular light production, on movement. Architecture’s approach to Natures transcendence The overall composition is an inflorescence of algae encapsulated in a double layered structure that insulates it from the extremes of nature. The external layer has mirrored surface that reflects and bounces the light emitted. Each unit is connected to each other through elastic rubber tube that transfers the kinetic energy to subsequent units stimulating motion and thus, light. The evolution The design is an evolution from a triangle, which multiplies to generate a hexagonal surface. This geometry allows light transmission as well as multiple reflection when reflective surfaces are arranged appropriately. The prototype is a truncated hexagonal cylinder with an off-centered axis which on repetition with rotation generates dynamism to the whole composition. Mechanism The mechanical system of the bioluminescent algae prototype works with the tension and compression as well as buckling in order to achieve motion and movement for the algae to respond to its capability, at the same time interacting with the people around it. The system has a mechanical spring 50mm in diameter, #14 tie wire and approximately with a length 120mm, It is then attached with the same diameter of pipe, the pipe allows the mechanical system to be lighter enough to withdraw a compression and tension for the system and give support to the spring itself, the length of the pipe varies and depends on how much compression and tension will be created. The spring and pipe are then sealed with an MDF stopper at both sides together with the wall, exactly 52mm in diameter with threaded rod, knot and bolt. The rod’s length depends on how far would be the prototype from the intruded surface of the wall. Circular Pad with an exact diameter same to the pipe are then attached to depress the clicking sound when tension occurred. Finally, a female rod plug is inserted to the front tip of the threaded rod to make a connection between the prototype and its mechanical motion system. Lighting mechanism The research exercise is to produce energy without the consumption any external mechanical power. The dino-flagellates emit light on motion stimulation. A spring is introduced for the kinetics in the organism. The spring with its oscillating motion on soft push agitates the algae which in turn undergoes a bio-chemical reaction to generate light energy. Design composition The bio-lamp is a project that commenced with the research on algae with bio-luminescence trait and progressed with a creation of a light structure that is stimulated by human interaction. The whole process evolves, beginning with the study & culture of algae, Dinoflagellates and convolutes into several forms with common character of double skinned component. This skin protects and insulates the algae. The end result is a surface tessellation composed of hexagonal units engulfing the algae container and its feeding mechanism supported by a spring. The spring ensures the kinetics in the algae on a soft push, producing light. This simple technique when amalgamated with the outer shell process renewable light, though low intensity, and amplifies the same through multiple reflection. The cluster of these prototypes form an installation that can be stationed at parks, street signage etc. The bio-lamp is a step ahead in future, where living organisms form an energy source. Wood Prototype

Final Prototype in Valdaura Labs

alGEO: first approach to bio-photovoltaic cells

Luca Gamberini — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 18:00:54 +0000

A bottle containing a green substance is placed close to the window at the third floor of the school. A red straw sticks out and sometimes someone gets close and blows to move the green particles that after a few minutes lay down on the bottom again. That was the first draft of the algae farm. We didn’t know they could really light up a LED. But it really happened. Our Introductory Studio research aims to capture the energy that otherwise would be lost during the metabolism process of the algae. This energy is green and it needs to be shown through a temporary and functional installation at Valldaura Self-Sufficient Lab, transmitting a message of change.

The research studio started with evaluating the capacity of algae to release energy during their life span. During the first two weeks, we managed to create a battery using two metal plates (zinc and copper) as anode and cathode. They are bended to touch the bottom part of the container where the algae settle, while the opposite edges are connected to a multimeter measuring the voltage and giving us the result of less than 1V. After a few days of right sunlight exposure, constant temperature and input of nutrients and carbon dioxide, the same container gave us a better and significant result. Setting more containers in a series connection and using the same quantity of algae+water we tripled the first electricity value succeding to light up a 3 volts LED. Fabricating a technical and compact prototype by laser-cutting allowed us to evaluate the number of cells we needed to turn on more LEDs by multiplying the number of the containers with our living energy source.

The first draft has been improved in a farm for the reproduction of micro-algae, mostly Chlorella Vulgaris, and cyanobacteria that contribute to create the perfect environment for their growth. Several containers are equally filled with the green source and supplied with carbon dioxide via air lines connected to a general pump through some T connectors. It has been preferred to split the green matter into more containers to respond to the natural growth inhibition caused by the overcrowding. The air pushed into the water allows the movement of the particles and their breeding.

We have been focusing on a initial morphological proposal. As first design exercise, the patterns deduced from gradients and microscopical snap-shots, helped us figure out the disposition, composition and connection of the cellular matter. The modeling process defined the overall structure and the single biophotovoltaic cell.

The cellular pattern is initially composed by three different modules that change for size, parametrically arranged in different ways to simulate motion and diversity. Looking at the way the Chlorella Vulgaris reproduces, the bigger module has been, in turn, divided in 9 sub-cells, while the smaller ones have been combined in pairs, each one with 4 cells electrically connected each other. This allowed to free the arrangement possibilities and give the cells complete autonomy.

The starting shape has been improved to integrate the cells with the pipes movement in the air. Pipes represent the necessary interaction between users and algae. The users are invited to blow in the airlines connected to each sub-cell to supply the algae with carbon dioxide and force the motion of the particles. The algae respond with light

In order to be able to fabricate multiple components we had to merge simplicity with aesthetics. The discretisation of the organic cells arrived to a triangulated sphere with output for electricity and interaction through localized inward and outward extrusions.

Form and function define one other. The installation will take place along the entrance pathway of Valldaura campus as witness of a change in the collective environmental awareness and as introducer to the Self-Sufficient lab. The elevation of the cells to an upper level permitts the mutual interaction and benefit between visitors, who are able to contribute to the algae sustenance by blowing into the pipes connected to each sub-cell, and algae that release oxygen and attest their presence through light.