With continued testing at home, the UV+ reactor experiments have to achieve safety and very low to no potentially harmful emissions.
The shape of the most recent iteration, of what will be a waste to water receptacle, is influenced by geometric optical lens diagrams — Classic science for new quantum-informed concepts.
That’s a point of convergence, and so is the PET cup. Using rather basic materials for the moment, the goal has been to amplify the battery powered, waterproof UVA lights for further possible rearrangement / degradation /transformation of the cup.
The reactor is made of mirrors, galvanized steel, aluminum foil and of course the lights, which now include an inner ring of Green LEDs. Stronger lights are forthcoming. Yet, this version calls for sunglasses while testing.
For budget and function, it’s been important to maximize efficiency. It’s also really interesting to attempt the most reactive combination of the materials currently on hand.
Then for obvious reasons, the reactor should not overheat, and with ventilation it does not. The next immediate steps are to keep testing the best structure that enhances radiance and absorption.
The vision is that desired movements or reconfigurations will come from optical interactions, dynamics that are naturally favorable.
Meanwhile, crossover of photochemistry and green technology continues in research news, such as recent “plasmonic photocatalysis” for emissions free hydrogen from Rice University, among others.
To study light, and sound, is to engage with nature’s magic, and continue discovering. These experiments and device concept are also inspired by earth sciences such as dynamics and (astro)chemistry, and the inventive spirit of NASA.
A number of behaviors and effects of the UV range are remarkable, including of course effectiveness of plastic degradation, as it would slowly from the sun — and another is that it neutralizes VOCs or volatile compounds in the air.
UVA light could also be considered a so-called “violet flame” of transmutation. First, it appears as purple and secondly produces reactions without that much heat. The idea here is to vastly speed up the process with the right components.
The most recent experiment yielded one interesting result to behold: A visible turbulent flow pattern, induced by the crinkled aluminum in the UV reactor air environment, like a desert cracks or giraffe spots pattern My camera lens could not see it, but I could.
As the build process continues gradually, it’s becoming more clear that this could become a beautiful modular design as well, in addition to being amazing for what it does – Turning plastic & waste into purified drinking water, and other useful byproduct.
In addition to physical testing, my latest sketch is of a larger public waste receptacle that would go in a city park, for example. The drawing is based on my accumulated research and data so far, and upscaling that.
The fundamentals of elements and matter are being explored here, and how to catalyze and synthesize more in flow with natural properties, and respect the awesome power of the cosmos that put us here. Each experiment is a collaboration.
In continuing assembly, considerations include what are the best materials and best shapes for the job. What do they like to do? I’m also considering introducing another catalyst. And the reactor itself is morphing.