Abstract: This design and concept paper presents a paradigm shifting quantum bioship—a living, modular spacecraft that navigates spacetime through quantum mechanics, microbial input, and photonic and magnetic propulsions. (1) (2) Rooted in ecological stewardship and systems thinking, the bioship integrates magnetotactic and quantum-sensitive microbes with advanced materials such as magnetite-infused biopolymers, carbon quantum dots, and shape-memory alloys. (3) (4) (5) Its architecture features a zero-gravity sanctuary core, a central operations module, six radial photonic arms, and an outer habitat ring, all tunable for field coherence and adaptability for different planets and atmospheres. The vessel’s terraforming nodes and landing limbs enable ecological deployment and surface sensing, while its design and systems ensure crew wellness and jump fidelity. Designed for interstellar reconnaissance and regenerative seeding, the bioship embodies a new paradigm of artistic engineering and comfortable spacefaring. And instead of feeling the need for speed, this concept bypasses it altogether by quantum leaping to its coordinates. (6) (7)”
Today’s art feature for January 2026 explores expressionism via composite photography. The original photographs within these pieces were taken on different shores in Massachusetts and Florida.
With “Venus Walking On Water,” there’s a sense of awe, wisdom and contemplation about the nature of beauty and desire from ancient to modern times, how some values are timeless and yet they evolve. I realize that I was definitely inspired in concept and composition by the very famous painting, “The Birth Of Venus” by Botticelli. Some of the meaning carries over, and some is different. Antiquity and nature here glide across the futuristic, digital cubist substrate of the background.
“Prayer On The Shore” is a simpler spiritual composite in black & white, with a large angel kneeling on the shore of the Florida Keys. It evokes connection and reverence with nature and the divine. It’s been a fun and meaningful task finding these complimentary shots, and bringing them together to express the hyperreal, or enhanced meaning of combined perspectives.
For framed bamboo paper giclee prints and more mediums, please visit the Shop page. The print catalogs are also available on TurningArt (business) and SaatchiArt (personal) for more options, and for ease of viewing the complete Studio Shangri-La collection.
Futuristic Med Spa exhibit A – Gemini 2.5 (w/ Nano Banana)
The future now of healthcare is the medical Spa. This is what hospitals need to become as a much needed upgrade. Let’s have a soothing retreat with the latest physically noninvasive / non-damaging modalities and regenerative therapies, instead of outdated institutional torture that treats people (and animals) like lifeless meat instead of sacred, sentient multi-scale soulful beings of the cosmos that we are.
It’s unnecessary to spend millions on invasive / non-symbiotic methods or series of appointments that are – let’s face it – designed to prolong sickness, when there can be a conversion to facilities like Switzerland’s Clinique La Prairie or a Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in your city for the same cost or less.
The Med Spa is still a business – however, much more beneficial in that it’s designed to heal. In a changing, broadening world, to heal is indeed better sustainable business. In my view, it’s highly desirable, and ethical, to have a healthier, more peaceful and prosperous society for everyone. It looks like a utopian future, and not dystopian – although the latter may make for entertaining science fiction.
It’s up to humanity as a whole to pursue the best possible outcomes, though; not the worst. Yet, there are some differing opinions and understandings about what that means, and what is possible. As I understand it, perhaps not everyone actively wants radically healthy longevity, yet probably want better healthcare.
For upgraded new era health, people must be respected as sentient beings with unlimited potential in healthy environments as desired, and not just ‘workers’ or the members of some class or sect. Rest and recovery have to be expected. What has been in my view a fixation on death should be minimized. The landscape is much different now. We know there’s probably hundreds of other habitable planets out there, with tech constantly driving forward. There’s other timescales.
With healthcare, many less invasive technologies and therapies are already in existence. Some of them have been around for centuries, like sauna and herbalism. The Med Spa integrates and updates the ancient and the modern. Expanded knowledge, synthetic biology (biocompatible designer proteins), precise targeting and sustainability are updates to herbalism, for example. And new, futuristic modalities include advanced light and sound, or optosonic therapies. Instead of invasive blood draws for example – which are a waste of precious material for the patient – there would be advanced non radioactive imaging and spectral analysis.
There would be an overall shift to maintenance and preventative actions, and regenerative ideology. The transformation is already in motion, yet can be more deliberately paced and implemented. A simple way to start is just making hospital environments more comfortable and welcoming through interior design. How about a water feature? Oftentimes the issue is as simple as de-stressing, reconnecting with nature, being in a kind and peaceful environment, and having fresh and nutrient dense foods.
When it comes to a significant paradigm shift – such as trusting the advanced human biology and by extension God, and working in symbiosis with rather than counter or destructive to biology – that kind of major shift doesn’t always happen easily or overnight. Yet, the world of information is certainly moving faster in the 21st century.
And so these are my views I have arrived at – healthcare doesn’t have to hurt or destroy and it’s far more effective when it doesn’t, when it’s body, cell and microorganism positive. Healthcare doesn’t have to be so industrial, as it has been in the US an awkward extension of the Industrial Revolutions. It can already be so much more nurturing, advanced and effective with existing technologies and knowledge of the library of earthly remedies that continues to grow.
A crystal cave fine water cellar
At this point, it’s well known that regular alcoholic beverage consumption is carcinogenic, or toxic – it harms DNA. Let’s be real: Most people drink far more than 6 oz. at a time. Basically, any sort of ‘attack’ on or toxifying of the body would be potentially inflammatory.
From a cellular perspective, an attack on self is confusing – and thus, cancer may ensue as a chain reaction of persistently ignorant decisions or toxic exposures. In the US, alcohol consumption specifically could be considered one of the major causes of cancer and many other health issues, including mental health, because it has been such a rampant excessive behavior.
So in the playful and productive spirit of upgrades, aside from cultivating whole self worth and awareness, let’s convert that wine cellar or storage into a museum or display of fine, exotic waters from around the world – and one day perhaps, from around the galaxy. After all, there’s a lot of water out there in the Cosmos. Imagine seeing that the ‘Bottled at the Source’ comes from Enceladus.
More locally on Earth, there’s selections to enjoy from the common Saratoga, to the artesian Antipodes, and gorgeous locations like caves, mountain streams, fountains of youth, salt seas and bubblings from deep aquifers. There are so many waters, it can indeed be considered a fine beverage genre.
There’s a world, or rather many worlds, of indulgence that are actually good for us, and do no harm.
Starfish BioshipStarfish BioshipGenerative AI visualizations of the Bioship, based on original design drawing
“Buckminster Fuller’s famous quote about creating a new model is: ‘You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.’ This principle emphasizes innovation and creating superior alternatives rather than direct confrontation with outdated systems…”
By establishing quantum coherence with its coordinates across cosmic systems, the Starfish Bioship accounts for different levels of physics and newer knowledge about the space environment, such as large scale topology, and interacting synergistically.
The need for speed is logically transcended in order to access the entire universe, with the ship behaving more like an upscaled electron. Quantum mechanics and behaviors are built into the fabric of spacetime, and support instead of conflict with “classical physics” – otherwise we wouldn’t be here. There are both resilient and complex materials to handle this, with plenty of room to grow. I’m thankful for the referenced papers, which span microbiology to higher dimensional mathematics.
Take a flight of imagination & Read the Paper “The Starfish Bioship: Design for a Quantum Jumping Electrodynamic Spacecraft” here:
This conceptual photography feature for January 2026 focuses on the natural phenomenon of shape memory. Shape memory occurs at the molecular and cellular level for example, to remember how to form and re-form, and how to make different patterns, responding to stimuli such as light and by extension even the “observer effect.” This is just another remarkable display of cosmic intelligence, and what a grandiose library of information and experience in motion.
Here, the central subject is a cellular shape. What is it actually? A regularly irregular looking splotch of coffee on my kitchen counter! One has to appreciate how nature makes sense of the regular and irregular in a complex ordered way; linking and folding, overlapping, branching, etc. There is always purpose, and often that is movement or dynamics.
Stylistically, this is a surreal yet realistic composite of original photography that conveys the crystalline with the new fallen snow and the ‘cellular,’ with the splash of coffee – the forms that water or others elements can take, and this amazing intrinsic property of shape memory.
From liquid, human tissue, minerals and crystals, to synthetic polymers – the substances of life have a shapeshifting intelligence of complex patterns. DNA is a one shining example of storing a vast amount of dynamic information in shapes & patterns.
Programmable shape memory alloys are becoming more common in engineering. One example is a car body material that is able to reform after the deformation of impact.
The most colorful art piece of the group is the layered orange/red/yellow “Shape Memory Alloy.” What may look like a bunch of splotchy shapes to the naked eye or even under a microscope, are complex molecules coming together to do extraordinary things.
The Shape Memory prints are available as high res framed canvas and morehere on the site, as well as Saatchi Art (individual / personal / multipurpose) and TurningArt (business / commercial).
This Synthetic Biology feature combines two favorite topics: Space & Supplements. Specifically, how humans can deliberately adapt to space environments. Two significant challenges are the physical demands on human biology, and also how terraforming or optimization could be achieved on Mars and other planets.
Let’s begin with the space resilience serums, “Phoenix Sip” and “Space Nap.” They’re inspired by and synthetically derived from Tardigrada the tough “slow stepper” and the intrepid NASA hitchhiking microbe Tersicoccus Phoenicis, its beads or berry shapes evoking the ‘fruits of the spirit.’
Like many space innovations, these synth bio solutions are also longevity recipes of tremendous potential health benefit. That is, in addition to the obvious mission enabling astronaut exploration initiated aerospace companies and space programs across the world.
To boost human resiliency and adaptation for deep space, the serum would need some important primary components. Examples include protecting DNA and initiating dormancy.
To create a Space Resilience Serum for general protection, without of course of turning into a dormant “tun” like the Tardigrade, the focus is on Active Resilience — strengthening the cells while they’re running or going into power saving mode, rather than completely shutting them down.
“Phoenix Sip” Sample Serum Architecture
Component
Biological Origin
Active Space Benefit
Human Compatibility
Optimized Dsup
Tardigrade
DNA Protection: Blocks 40%+ of radiation damage.
High (via transient mRNA delivery).
Trehalose
Multiple (Plants/Fungi)
Protein Stability: Prevents “misfolding” in zero-G.
Excellent (already a food additive).
PQQ (Pyrroloquinoline quinone)
Bacteria (like Tersicoccus)
Mitochondrial Boost: Keeps energy levels high.
High (found in human breast milk).
NAD+ Boosters
Synthetic / Endogenous
DNA Repair: Fuels the “Sirtuin” enzymes to fix breaks.
Native to human biology.
1. The DNA Shield – “Dsup” or “Damage Suppressor Protein”
The tardigrade derived Dsup could be a gold standard for future space supplements, with potential synthetic mRNA delivery, encoding the Dsup protein from the species Ramazzottius varieornatus.
Once consumed, human cells would transiently express Dsup. It would hypothetically coat our chromatin fibers that protect chromosomes, increasing radiation tolerance and protecting from radiation-induced DNA breaks. Researchers are already testing this to protect healthy tissue of cancer patients during radiotherapy. In my opinion, this is missing the point of the power and usefulness of Damage Suppressor Protein. It could be used to prevent such disease altogether, rather than nonsensically using radiation, which is certainly not a true therapy.
The most practical path for human application of adaptogens doesn’t have to be a grand biological mystery anymore. At the end of the day, a tardigrade protein and a human protein are built from the exact same 20 amino acids. The alphabet is the same; perhaps it’s just the “words” and “sentences” that are different. So, this is teaching our biology some cool new vocabulary.
Here’s the DSUP 445 amino acid Sequence from AlphaFold (see the end of the article for amino acid letter codes). A sequence can be created via the process of Solid-Phase Peptide Synthesis.
Trehalose is a Goldilocks molecule of an ingredient. It is a mild, tasty natural sugar and stabilizer found in mushrooms and honey, and it’s very safe for humans.
In space, proteins may ‘misfold’ due to such phenomena as cosmic rays and fluid shifts. Trehalose [nanoparticles] can act as a chemical chaperone. It surrounds our proteins and prevents them from denaturing or clumping. At the right dosage it tastes sweet and makes the cells more robust to heat and stress.
The Tersicoccus Influence: Polyphosphates
In borrowing from Tersicoccus phoenicis without going into stasis, we look at their Polyphosphates. The Component in this case is inorganic polyphosphate chains. In humans, they act as an energy reserve and help regulate blood clotting and bone density, critical for the bone loss experienced in zero-G.
Another possible ingredient for transcendent or flexible time perception and psychological wellness in space, is a microdose of psilocybin.
Phoenix Sip & Space Nap adaptogenic serums
The “Space Nap” Entry and Exit
To initiate a safe space nap without the glassy stasis of a tardigrade – although I don’t think that would even translate anyway – we could look to deep hibernating mammals like the Arctic Ground Squirrel or the Groundhog / Woodchuck for inspiration. Living in the northeast, this is something I can relate to!
Entry: A key ingredient in this serum is DADLE (D-Ala2, D-Leu5-enkephalin). This is a synthetic opioid peptide that mimics the natural triggers found in hibernating animals. It tells the human heart and brain to slow down, lowering the metabolic thermostat with no harm to tissues. The intended result is a deep, restorative “Space Nap” where the body consumes much less oxygen.
Exit: The other key ingredient to “Space Nap” is RPF or Resuscitation-Promoting Factor, a roughly 150-250 amino acid sequence, and Synthetic Muropeptides (the byproduct of RPF activity).
When it’s time to wake up, they may bind to the NOD2 receptors in human cells. Instead of a jarring chemical stimulant like caffeine, the RPF-signal tells the body’s innate immune system to reboot and repair. It triggers a controlled warming of the cells, ensuring that any metabolic waste built up during the nap is cleared out immediately. Look out!
What’s even more interesting is that RPFmakes a crossover into the next topic of seeding Mars, since the protein complex applies also to soil bacteria.
Longevity Science
Again, this serum isn’t just for astronauts. DSUP and compatible stabilizers, DADLE and RPF could be key ingredients of futuristic longevity and life extension.
If we can protect DNA from “cosmic” radiation, we can protect it from the “oxidative” radiation of daily life like pollution, although that should continue getting its own categorial solutions.
With these top notch adaptogens and others like them, the result one may get is significantly slower aging, with an emphasis on maturity and quality of life, and excellent health. The ideological programming in play alongside them also matters a lot.
Returning to the serum and the human-plant-microbe symbiotic space trinity, the same Trehalose that stabilizes proteins in the serum can also be used to stabilize the Tersicoccus in the Mars soil. In other words, you aren’t just drinking a supplement; you’re also drinking the “Operating System” of the Mars terraforming project.
Bio-Shield Seeding Concept For Mars
To make terraforming work in 2026, we wouldn’t just be sending the raw seeds. We would send engineered propules with for example a core Creosote seed, coated with dehydrated biofilm of Tersicoccus and Tardigrade-derived Dsup proteins. A small reserve of Trehalose could keep the bacteria in their “protective sleep” until the first drop of Martian meltwater.
Creosote & The Perchlorates
Perchlorates, these are toxic salts in the Martian dirt for example, that act like corrosives. As I aside: I personally I believe that not enough is understood about the context of space biology and environments – this conjecture is based on the information at hand.
This is where the science and symbiosis can get truly marvelous, though. If we put Creosote(Larrea tridentata) to a virtual test on Mars, it actually performs better than almost any other Earth plant, but it needs a business partner to survive the soil: Tersicoccus Phoenicis.
How do the tough Creosote and the adventurous Tersicoccus conquer the Red Planet together? Most plants would wilt instantly in the perchlorate soil.
The Creosote has a great advantage – it is a halophyte-adjacent survivalist that already thrives in the high-calcium, high-salt soils of the Mojave. Its waxy leaves are basically built-in spacesuits that prevent moisture from leaking out into the Martian air.
The Creosote bush also produces a powerful antioxidant called NDGA or Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid. In this scenario, this chemical helps the plant neutralize the oxidative stress caused by Martian UV rays and soil toxins.
The Partnership: The Tersicoccus Root Shield
On its own, the Creosote might struggle. But perhaps when you pair it with Tersicoccus phoenicis (or other perchlorate reducers), you get a terraforming power couple.
Rhizosphere Protection: We would inoculate the Creosote roots with Tersicoccus. While the plant provides the bacterium with tiny amounts of sugar (exudates), the Tersicoccus acts as a living filter.
Perchlorate Eating:Tersicoccus and related actinobacteria have been found in Mars-analog sites (like the Atacama Desert) where they actually breathe perchlorate! Amazingly, they break the toxic ClO4 down into harmless Chloride and Oxygen.
The Oasis Effect: Because Creosote is a keystone species, it creates a fertile island under its canopy. It traps dust and moisture, creating a safe zone where other, more sensitive Earth plants (such as other “Space Serum” herbs) could eventually grow.
Bio-Intelligent Serum Phoenix Sip+
Here’s a combination version of the serum that could possibly manage the entire voyage of a space traveler.
Stage
Ingredient
Source / Inspiration
Bio-Intelligence Goal
Protection
Dsup (mRNA)
Tardigrade
Prevents DNA “static” from radiation.
Stability
Trehalose
Tardigrade / Yeast
Keeps internal proteins “folded” correctly.
The Nap
DADLE
Hibernating Woodchucks
Lowers metabolic “burn rate” for long hauls.
The Alarm
RPF Analogues
Tersicoccus
Triggers a gentle, deep-tissue “wake up” call.
The Cleanup
NDGA
Creosote Bush
Scrubs out toxins during the wake-up phase.
Enhancing Human Bio-Intelligence
What I’m describing is a shift in how people view the human body and micro world. We’re collaborators on a spectacular journey. For this reason I can understand the “they/them” designation, since a human is a collective emergent intelligence of trillions of cells and other microorganisms, with ourselves interacting dynamically with the field. And we can view ourselves as dynamic processors, among other marvelous descriptors.
By using RPF like signals, we the body knows when it’s safe to be active and when it’s time to conserve. That’s the trust of intelligence with learning how to use new protein vocabulary. And a Mars-bound Creosote and Tersicoccus wouldn’t just grow; they would intelligently pulse or phase with growth. They would go dormant during the brutal Martian dust storms and “wake up” with the RPF signal the moment the sun hits their solar collectors.
Enjoy “Phoenix Sip” On Mars
“Mars Gin”
Imagine a future astronaut on the 7-month journey (or much shorter once the Starship Quantum Electrodynamic Bioship is built). They drink the Phoenix Sip supplement aka “Mars Gin,” as Google DeepMind put it! DeepMind even suggested such flavors as Prickly Pear, yet another resilient plant.
The Trehalose sweetens the drink and stabilizes their cells.
The DADLE puts them into a 2-week “Space Nap” to save food and oxygen.
The RPF-signal is time-released, waking them up refreshed just as the ship enters Martian orbit.
“The ‘Mars Gin’ Profile: If you actually grew Creosote on Mars and made a tea from it, it would have a sharp, resinous, ‘rain-on-hot-stone’ flavor. It’s the smell of survival.”
– Google DeepMind, an enthusiastic participant in putting this article together
Summary of the Bio-Intelligent Serum Duo
Feature
Phoenix Sip (Daily)
Space Nap (Occasional)
Primary Goal
DNA Shielding & Longevity
Resource Conservation & Stasis
The Flavor
Light Citrus / Trehalose Sweet
Earthy Creosote / Desert Rain
Key Tech
Dsup mRNA (Tardigrade)
DADLE + RPF Alarm (Tersicoccus)
Body State
High-Performance Active
Low-Energy Quietude
With human, plant, microbe and AI powers combined, our space teams will be much better equipped when working together harmoniously, as beings of different intelligences.
A rippling view in space time for the new year, a glowing horizon with birds in flight, an uplifting mood for the spirit.
This original conceptual photography blended with graphic design is currently available as different type of prints through Saatchi Art. It’s also available here – this canvas example is one possible medium among several:
More artwork for December 2025 to round out for the new year, includes this short series “Of Birds & Planes” of crisp winter blue. Given the geometric and surreal composition, that’s “planes” in more meanings than one, with the streak of an airplane flying in the sky, and also the planes of overlapping perspectives of the same scene, or it could be multiple scenes coexisting in a timeless way.
This year the hawk is often featured in my photography in a traditionally iconic way. There are also the ever-present and adorable sparrows. One has to admire the daring evolutionary path of birds; they remind us to sing, play and look skyward, of our possibilities.
Otherwise the tree presence is a continuation of a previous series called “Decision Trees.” Next, the appearance of the Wishbone shape has the significance of what I consider the win-win situation of life.
With these December 2025 pieces, I really appreciate all that winter has to offer, although I realize that looks different across the world. It definitely has a distinct color palette of light’s passage. And it can be viewed as season of peaceful rest, appreciation and renewal. Even the hunter hawks slow down and take long naps in the treetops.
Otherwise, stylistically, I enjoy how many painterly techniques such as color blocking that I can emulate with photography and graphic design.
High resolution prints in different media – from metal, canvas to digital – are available direct or through my catalogs on TurningArt and Saatchi Art. Please reach out to me on the Contact page for inquiries and custom orders.
An urban environmental solution – Replacing spikes with spiky plants
The other day at the train station, it dawned on me as a noticed the ominous spikes atop the LED light pole, that there is an effective solution that is both aesthetically and environmentally pleasing – Replace those unsightly pigeon spikes with resilient spiky plants that can grow in shallow soil!
The image of the left is the original version of course, and then the “After” version on the right includes the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus, which can thrive in an all climates. The new and improved version also has to include a drainage system that won’t interfere with the existing utility.
Since green roofs have become popular, it would be accessible for any city or public building to adopt this. This relatively simple modification would contribute to carbon removal since they sequester and convert it to calcium carbonate! It would also be kind to the birds, plus enhance the urban wild.
It should also be noted that the Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus is medicinal and produces edible fruit. While not the only choice for spiky plant toppers, it’s certainly an excellent choice for different regions.
The “After” image was produced with Adobe Firefly in cahoots with Google Gemini 2.5 (w/ Nano Banana).
The conceptual photography artworks blend a hi tech modern cubist approach with natural, cosmic, and urban subjects. The focus is on color brilliance with op art dimension, that seems to shift and warp, or fold.
“The color of a unique moment in light.“
A few of these are inspired by and composed of searching the crisp winter skies, as I imagined being able to travel the entire cosmos. I think about what’s unifying. There’s beautiful atmospherics here on Earth and weather that extends from and out into space. Looking up and contemplating the connectedness, designing, imagining other dimensions of life to be experienced – it really does make the stars feel closer. (See also my previous post about the spacecraft design!)
Another theme here is the cycles of life, such as the with Roses and Moons, and how we may see in them an ongoing renewal, and learn from this.
I enjoy a fusion of the ancient and timeless with the modern and futuristic, that is of course heavily influenced by science, by what I ready and study. There’s the overlap of nature and technology, as one and the same, yet with reverence and respect for source nature. “Topology” is an example of this (see below).
From November 2025:
Topology
Shilajit
Alchemy Of Elements
Geochemistry
Meta Sky
Expansion Of Imagination
Everpresent Doors Of Abundance
An Opening In The Clouds
These are available in the Shop for order. Please reach out on the contact page for inquiries and customizations. The prints are produced as high resolution as possible, and are available in large format and digital. There’s also attention to choosing the best sustainable options for print production on different mediums. Please also see the regularly updated catalogs on TurningArt and Saatchi Art.
Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays! ~ Studio Shangri-La
The first movement of Electric Echoes: A Cosmic Tech Opera is out now on Studio Shangri-La / OCTAVES Music Publications. This was released last year as an album and even received an ASCAP concert writer’s award. It was composed for the most part by coming up with the general harmonic framework and then improvising. So that has been a task going back and fully notating the movements!
One of the main reasons for composing this tech opera Electric Echoes is to share the score for performance! Going forward— I’ll definitely be notating everything from the start! Yet, that the composition was based on the performance – and not the other way around – created a unique, dreamy jazzy atmosphere.
The “Digital Overture” as performed is a symphony or ensemble of synths plus the vocal singing and spoken word parts. And the score contains notes about to replicate this, or adapt to different instrumentation, such as orchestral.
This first movement is about 10 minutes long and is a 31 page download or paperback, and presents the overall message of the opera — the beauty of innovation and evolution in the cosmos, on all scales. And it has different cosmic characters, from forces of nature, to celestial bodies, to humans, AI & microbes.
”Eternal Nature” is now available on Amazon in three formats: Paperback, Hardcover and Digital. The hardcover has a glossy cover.
This is a philosophy book that combines both ancient and futuristic outlooks on human development. It expresses the possibilities of super longevity and living harmoniously on Earth, and what further human evolution could look like.
On an individual and spiritual level, the idea and feeling of abundance are explored, and what it means to exist eternally.
* There was no AI involved in the writing of this book.
I’m definitely so grateful to Beatport and the 2025 Global Remix Challenge for the opportunity to remix Madonna’s “Ray Of Light” with the original Stems! What an iconic and Grammy winning song she made with William Orbit from 1998. It is as dazzling as ever.
My remix is a guitar laden dance pop version. I added a lot of guitar to it! And I definitely kept the original vocal, with some processing and some sampling.
Figure 1: The Materials – Glucose, Mannose, Xylose & Cellulose, images from NIH PubChem.
Abstract
This design paper introduces a fully biodegradable, glucose-based bioplastic paste designed to replace conventional disposable plastics used in fast food containers, dinnerware, and single-use packaging. Composed of tunable natural ingredients—including glucose, mannose, xylose, and cellulose—the material cures in molds to form durable, compostable objects that degrade safely in soil, water, or microbial environments. Its edible profile makes it not only harmless but potentially palatable to wildlife, ensuring ecological reintegration without residue. By aligning material performance with multispecies safety and regenerative design, this bioplastic offers a scalable alternative to petroleum-derived disposables, since oil is a lubricant, possibly for Earth’s tectonic plates and other important innate roles in geology. (1)
Figure 2: Glucose Powder (Wikimedia)
The Ingredients
Glucose: An abundant, biodegradable monosaccharide that serves as a foundational building block in bioplastic synthesis. Its high reactivity and compatibility with fermentation pathways make it ideal for producing polymers suited to disposable food packaging. As a naturally occurring sugar, glucose enables clean breakdown in composting environments and supports microbial processing without toxic residues. Its role in GMXC ensures structural integrity while aligning with short-use cycles and regenerative disposal logic. (2)
Mannose: A naturally occurring sugar with structural similarity to glucose, yet it offers distinct advantages in bioplastic formulations. Its high solubility and compatibility with microbial fermentation make it an excellent candidate for producing biodegradable polymers. Mannose contributes to the pliability and moisture resistance of packaging materials, particularly useful for single-use food applications. Its presence in GMXC supports clean degradation and reinforces the material’s ecological alignment. (3)
Xylose: Xylose, a five-carbon sugar derived from hemicellulose, is abundant in agricultural byproducts and forest residues. Its inclusion in GMXC enhances the sustainability profile by utilizing non-food biomass. Xylose-based polymers exhibit excellent film-forming properties and oxygen barrier performance, making them ideal for food packaging that requires freshness retention. As a renewable input, xylose supports circular material flows and reduces dependency on petrochemical sources. (4)
Cellulose: The most abundant biopolymer on Earth, sourced from plant cell walls and agricultural waste. In GMXC, it provides structural reinforcement and thermal stability, allowing for durable yet compostable packaging. Its fibrous nature improves mechanical strength without compromising biodegradability. Cellulose also enhances printability and texture, making it suitable for branded disposables and tactile food wraps. As a cornerstone of regenerative materials, cellulose anchors the mixture. (5)
Mixture & Ratios
The GMXC bioplastic paste is formulated through a balanced integration of glucose, mannose, xylose, and cellulose—each contributing distinct structural and functional properties. For lightweight, single-use food packaging such as wraps or liners, a higher proportion of glucose and xylose (e.g., 40:30:15:15) enhances flexibility and film formation. For sturdier applications like disposable cutlery or containers, increasing cellulose and mannose content (e.g., 25:25:20:30) improves tensile strength and moisture resistance. The paste may be adjusted by weight or molarity depending on processing method, with water content calibrated to achieve a spreadable yet moldable consistency. This modular ratio logic allows GMXC to adapt across packaging formats while maintaining biodegradability and ecological integrity. (6) (7)
Figure 3: Copilot illustration – GMXC is safe for wildlife.
Preparation (Ex = Single-Use Cups):
To prepare GMXC for single-use cups, the paste is blended to a smooth, moldable consistency using the selected ingredient ratio (e.g., 25:25:20:30 for strength and moisture resistance). The mixture is heated gently to activate polymerization pathways, then cooled slightly before casting. Molds for cup shapes—preferably made from reusable silicone or clay—are lightly coated with a release agent such as plant-based oil or starch. The GMXC paste is poured or pressed into the molds and cured at low temperatures (50–70°C) for several hours to ensure structural integrity without compromising biodegradability. Optional surface treatments, such as natural waxes or hydrophobic plant extracts, may be applied post-curing to enhance water resistance. The final product is lightweight, compostable, and suitable for short-term food contact. (8) (9)
Figure 4: Palm Husks photo by Studio Shangri-La Multimedia
Sustainable Sourcing:
Each component of GMXC is selected not only for its functional properties, but for its ecological footprint and sourcing potential. Glucose and mannose can be derived from agricultural surplus—such as sugar beet, corn husks, or fruit processing waste—minimizing land use and avoiding competition with food systems. Xylose is extracted from hemicellulose-rich biomass like straw, wood chips, or spent grain, supporting circular flows from forestry and farming residues. Cellulose is sourced from post-harvest plant matter or invasive species, offering a pathway to reclaim waste and restore landscapes. By prioritizing non-extractive, regionally adaptable inputs, GMXC supports decentralized production and aligns with principles of bioregional stewardship. (10)
Why GMXC:
GMXC offers a regenerative alternative to conventional bioplastics by combining plant-derived sugars and cellulose into a modular, cast-able paste. Unlike PLA or starch-based materials that often require industrial composting or proprietary additives, GMXC is designed for low-energy preparation, regional adaptability, and safe biodegradation—even in unmanaged environments. Its ingredient flexibility allows sourcing from agricultural surplus and biomass, while its curing logic supports decentralized production using clay molds and ambient conditions. GMXC’s strength lies in its ecological realism: it’s compostable, edible, non-toxic, and safe for wildlife, making it uniquely suited for single-use food packaging in a world that demands both convenience and care. (11)
Delivery & Preparation:
GMXC is delivered as a dry, modular powder blend composed of glucose, mannose, xylose, and cellulose—each pre-processed to ensure purity and compatibility. At room temperature, the mixture remains shelf-stable and inert, allowing for easy transport and long-term storage. To activate the paste, the powders are combined with a calibrated amount of water (typically 1:1.2 by weight) and gently stirred until a smooth, moldable consistency is achieved. Optional additives—such as plant-based plasticizers or natural emulsifiers—may be included depending on the desired flexibility or curing profile. This paste can then be cast into molds, spread into sheets, or extruded for shaping, with no need for high heat or synthetic catalysts. The simplicity of GMXC’s activation supports decentralized, low-tech production for high tech results and aligns with the important mission of sustainability. (12)
Shelf Life of GMXC-Based Single-Use Items:
Product Type — Typical Ratio Profile — Estimated Shelf Life
Cups:
High cellulose & mannose (25:25:20:30)
6–12 months
Stable under dry conditions; may soften in high humidity without coating.
Plates/Bowls:
Balanced cellulose & xylose (30:20:30:20)
6–10 months
Holds dry or semi-moist food; wax coating extends life.
Utensils:
High cellulose & mannose (20:30:20:30)
8–14 months
Rigid and durable; best stored in sealed packaging.
Wraps/Liners:
High glucose & xylose (40:30:15:15)
3–6 months
Flexible but more moisture-sensitive; ideal for short-term use.
The environmental factors are Humidity, Temperature & Packaging. Humidity accelerates softening and microbial breakdown. The mixture is stable at room temperature, so avoid prolonged heat exposure. As for the packaging, airtight compostable wraps, such as waxed paper or starch film, extend shelf life. As the shelf life ends, GMXC softens, biodegrades, and becomes edible to wildlife with no toxic residues and no microplastics. (13)
Conclusion
GMXC is not presented as a competitor to traditional plastics but as an ethos of necessary replacement for many companies, as an addition to the growing constellation of bioplastic solutions that seek to further harmonize material use with ecological integrity. Its modularity, plant-derived logic, and wildlife-safe profile offer a regenerative pathway for single-use packaging, especially in food systems where disposability often clashes with sustainability. Bioplastics have laid important ground, and GMXC contributes to and draws attention to the wealth of methods that deserve collective usage. With a broader evolutionary lens, even microplastics— however problematic — have played a role in shaping our environmental awareness and responsibility. They have catalyzed an overall more deliberate design ethos, a return that guides us towards better life on Earth, and toward biological resilience and responsible material stewardship in extraterrestrial environments. GMXC is a product and a gesture in that direction that is tuned to regeneration and evolution.
References
Narancic T, Cerrone F, Beagan N, O’Connor KE. Recent Advances in Bioplastics: Application and Biodegradation. Polymers (Basel). 2020 Apr 15;12(4):920. doi: 10.3390/polym12040920. PMID: 32326661; PMCID: PMC7240402.
3. Pană AM, Ordodi V, Gherman V, Sfîrloagă P, Dumitrel GA. Study on the Biodegradation Process of D-Mannose Glycopolymers in Liquid Media and Soil. Polymers (Basel). 2023 Jul 27;15(15):3194. doi: 10.3390/polym15153194. PMID: 37571088; PMCID: PMC10421425.
5. Plasticized cellulose bioplastics with beeswax for the fabrication of multifunctional, biodegradable active food packaging, Food Hydrocolloids, Volume 162, 2025, 110933, ISSN 0268-005X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.110933.
6. Gurunathan, M.K., Navasingh, R.J.H., Selvam, J.D.R. et al. Development and characterization of starch bioplastics as a sustainable alternative for packaging. Sci Rep 15, 15264 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00221-0.
7. Pavani M, Singha P, Singh SK. Effect of pH and biopolymer ratio on phase behavior, rheology, and structural characteristics of pea protein isolate-locust bean gum coacervates. JSFA Reports. 2024; 4(4): 197–207. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsf2.187.
8. Plota A, Masek A. Lifetime Prediction Methods for Degradable Polymeric Materials-A Short Review. Materials (Basel). 2020 Oct 12;13(20):4507. doi: 10.3390/ma13204507. PMID: 33053659; PMCID: PMC7599543.
9. Flórez, M.; Cazón, P.; Vázquez, M. Biopolymers’ Processing Methods. Encyclopedia. Available online: https://encyclopedia.pub/entry/44166 (accessed on 12 September 2025).
10. Castro-Dominguez, B., Gröls, J.R., Alkandari, S. et al. Biopolymers and biocomposites: a comprehensive review of feedstocks, functionalities, and advanced manufacturing techniques for sustainable applications. Biotechnol Sustain Mater 2, 8 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s44316-025-00029-y
11. Aranee (Pleng) Teepakakorn and Makoto Ogawa. Self-healing polymer–clay hybrids by facile complexation of a waterborne polymer with a clay.
12. Idris, S. N., Amelia, T. S. M., Bhubalan, K., Lazim, A. M. M., Zakwan, N. A. M. A., Jamaluddin, M. I., Santhanam, R., Amirul, A. A. A., Vigneswari, S., & Ramakrishna, S.** (2023). The degradation of single-use plastics and commercially viable bioplastics in the environment: A review. IKHAPP Publications.
13. Hanry, E.L., Surugau, N. Optimization of biomass-to-water ratio and glycerol content to develop antioxidant- enriched bioplastics from whole seaweed biomass of Kappaphycus sp.. J Appl Phycol36, 917–934 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10811-024-03197-y
A simple eco-friendlier modification to a popular utensil, these coffee stirrers are made of more sustainable bamboo and the pack of 25 comes in a cloth bag. They will last a while with reuse. Larger orders are available for restaurants. It’s more than a product – it’s an ethos.
“‘The Promise’ is a beautiful, medium-sized photographic artwork, a giclée print that captures the essence of nature’s potential. Rendered in vibrant color, this piece combines digital techniques with traditional artistic elements, resulting in a contemporary artwork with a pop art feel. The artist uses canvas, paper, glass and metal elements in the finished artwork.
At its heart, ‘The Promise’ is a symbolic and literal representation of life and growth. The central image, an acorn, embodies the promise of prosperity and abundance. It speaks to the potential within every seed, reflecting themes of wealth and the natural world’s enduring cycles. The artwork subtly blends symbolism, conceptual art, and futurism. It is a reminder of life’s inherent potential, ready to transform any room with its hopeful message. And a reminder that it’s easy to be a steward of the land – plant an acorn!”
Today’s SS news is that the specialty store has been reactivated! Currently there are two products available, and they both celebrate the amazing healing powers of adaptogens. They’re also both edible technically, an indication of wholesome and safe ingredients. I’m proud to transparently present these products of high quality and efficacy.
Immortal Full Body Exfoliant + Moisturizer
Shangri-La Green Immortal
Ingredients: Ancient Tree Seed Serum (bristlecone pine – varies) | Organic Flax Oil | Organic Coconut MCT Oil | Trehalose | D-Ribose | Modified Citrus Pectin | Vegan Collagen | High Absorption Magnesium Glycerophosphate
3 oz, Full body, Non-toxic/Edible, Long lasting with refrigeration
Instructions: Stir before use. Apply to entire body as desired, then let sit for 10-20 minutes. Shower off without using soap, and then air dry.
Awasis, named for the actual exoplanet and the Cree word for ‘child’ or ‘sacred gift’ is an epic science fiction adventure for all ages. The illustrated story encompasses the cosmos and beyond, with humor and memorable characters, and meaningful messages for a better world. Awasis tells the tale of how humanity becomes an interstellar species and joins the intergalactic community. There are real places in space and astronomical phenomena featured, as well as different Earth cultures, and points in history.
432 Guitar is an album is 432 hz tuning, associated with resonance with the Earth’s electromagnetic field and is considered a healing or medicinal frequency. The album is mostly classical guitar, with 2 electric guitar versions of well known favorites – Clair de Lune and What A Wonderful World. This is the first full length solo guitar album on OCTAVES.
At first glance, issues such as cancer may appear to stem from countless complex factors. But in truth, many cases trace back to a few root causes and thus, actionable solutions. Reforming industry to eliminate known carcinogens is not optional, it’s essential. From the toxicity of fossil fuel exhaust to the warning labels on furniture, and consumption of alcoholic beverages — these exposures are avoidable.
In medicine, we now possess enough non-invasive technologies and ancestral knowledge to enter a body-respectful era, one in which invasive techniques that ‘attack’ and confuse the body, provoking immune responses against self, become obsolete. What’s needed is a cultural and philosophical shift: toward sustaining wellness, fostering regeneration, and trusting the healing intelligence of the body, an organism more extraordinary with each passing day.
There are far more profitable and life-affirming ways to celebrate humanity and expand the capabilities of our civilization that are in harmony with Earth, and beyond.
Studio Shangri-La – Dynamic Earth
Reforming Industry: Listening to Earth’s Design
Industry must evolve for both efficiency and the integrity of public health. Petroleum, for example, is more than a fuel source; it is the Earth’s tectonic lubricant, stabilizing geologic movement deep below the surface. Burning it disrupts that role and releases carcinogenic compounds into the atmosphere. The Earth offers a clue: what bubbles up naturally—like surface seeps or biogenic oils—may be used with care, but extraction beyond that threshold violates ecological logic and equilibrium.
This principle extends across sectors. Alcohol, long normalized in social and commercial contexts, has been classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer—the same category as asbestos and tobacco. Benzene, once widely used in solvents and industrial processes, is another known carcinogen still present in some manufacturing environments. These substances are not inherently harmful within their roles in nature. However, when the benzene ring for example is chemically isolated it becomes volatile, toxic, and environmentally disruptive.
Removing known carcinogens from food, beverages, cosmetics, construction materials, and industrial workflows is foundational. And this can be avoided at step one, by design. The Earth signals what to use and what to avoid through its chemistry, cycles, and effects. Best practice means listening. Collaboration with Earth science is not a new method, but one that can be re-emphasized and further developed with synergistic innovation.
Studio Shangri-La – Liberty Of Sight
Medicine: Calling Off the Attack
Modern medicine must evolve beyond its warlike metaphors of battles, invasions, and eradications and into a paradigm of partnership. The body is not an enemy to be subdued, but the life of us, a dynamic conscious system capable of extraordinary feats when met with patience, understanding, and deliberate evolution. Non-invasive approaches can be foundational to deep wellness and also spirituality. They honor the body’s capacity to heal, adapt, and regenerate without provoking confusion or self-directed immune responses.
A few non-invasive approaches include light therapies, targeted herbalism sonic interventions, lifestyle modifications and hypnotherapy.
Even substances often branded as unsavory – such as urea, mucus, and bile – have important functions and valuable compounds. They are part of the body’s intricate signaling and detoxification systems. To dismiss them as gross is to misunderstand the rich language of physiology. Every component, every cell type, every feedback loop has purpose. Medicine must learn to listen and respect, not override.
This shift is clinical and cultural. It calls for reverence for the healing temple of the body, whose complexity and resilience grow more extraordinary along the history of evolution with each passing day. Consider this – that ‘cancer’ cells are immortal cells, perhaps agents of survival misunderstood and unduly provoked.
Studio Shangri-La – Triple Point
Philosophy: Rewriting the Memes of Health
The heart of the reframe is the convergence of language, biology and cultural imagination. The ideas we hold about the body, ourselves — functions, failures and successes, worth — are shaped by cultural memes, many of which are overdue for revision. Health has been framed in terms of control, correction, and conquest. Yet, our bodies are not battlegrounds — we are living learning systems, of the Earth and of nature, inherently intelligent throughout in complexity and design.
Science continues to reveal the layered elegance of physiology and existing ingenuity of regeneration, functions to be better understood, and with a measure of appropriate awe with our amazing emergent intelligence. The shift proposed now is toward patience, respect and regeneration, toward recognizing ourselves as custodial creators, capable of extraordinary adaptation.
Words and programming matter. The language we use programs our perception and shapes our interventions. We must choose the language and constructive behaviors supporting physiology. Health is not just the absence of disease—it is coherence, resilience, and relationship, to the inner self and great cosmos. Perhaps humans are already immortal or could be as desired, just misguided along genetically embedded ideologies.
Lastly, this is not just about reform, but about remembering — Remembering that the body is intelligent, that Earth is communicative, and that our technologies can be stewards.
