For the growing Shangri-La Green family of products the following values are important: Transparency, Quality, Sustainability & Artistry. While these are small batch products made in the studio, and not a factory, all ingredients are completely and accurately labeled. I research the most nourishing and effective recipes. It’s important to me for these products toContinue reading “The Shangri-La Green Product Ethos”
Category Archives: Creativity
Shangri-La Green Store: Superfood Pecan Pie Butter
Ingredients: Pecans, Star Anise, Cinnamon, Molasses, Coconut Cream, Vanilla Extract (alcohol free) In a 12 oz glass jar, this delicious Pecan Pie Butter tastes like the dessert, and is made with love in a volcanic rock / basalt molcajete mortar and pestle which adds extra beneficial mineral content. The star of the superfood ingredients isContinue reading “Shangri-La Green Store: Superfood Pecan Pie Butter”
Featured Products & Services: “The Promise” Prints + Art & Design Bookings
“‘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. AtContinue reading “Featured Products & Services: “The Promise” Prints + Art & Design Bookings”
Design For A Battery Farm: Biomineral Synthesis & Refinement Of Lithium, Sodium & Magnesium In A Zoned Clay Matrix
Design For A Battery Farm: Biomineral Synthesis & Refinement Of Lithium, Sodium & Magnesium In A Zoned Clay Matrix By Sarah Ikerd, Studio Shangri-La Multimedia, July 2025 Sarah.ikerd@studio-shangri-la.com http://www.studio-shangri-la.com; https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarah-Ikerd Figure 1: Basic Layout of the Zoned Clay Matrix Abstract In an era of escalating demand for critical minerals, this paper proposes a significant paradigmContinue reading “Design For A Battery Farm: Biomineral Synthesis & Refinement Of Lithium, Sodium & Magnesium In A Zoned Clay Matrix”
Designing Permeable, Self Healing Pavement That Nourishes The Environment
Designing Permeable, Self Healing Pavement That Nourishes The Environment By Sarah Ikerd, Studio Shangri-La Multimedia, July 2025 Sarah.ikerd@studio-shangri-la.com http://www.studio-shangri-la.com; https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarah-Ikerd Figure 1: Basic Layers & Process Abstract Drawing from both natural chemistry and bio-inspired engineering, next generation regenerative pavement reimagines infrastructure as a living ecosystem partner. Made from layered travertine, lava rock and microbial agents,Continue reading “Designing Permeable, Self Healing Pavement That Nourishes The Environment”
Design For A Carbon Capture Air Filtration Drone + Helicopter Retrofit
Design For A Carbon Capture Air Filtration Drone + Helicopter Retrofit By Sarah Ikerd, Studio Shangri-La Multimedia, July 2025 Sarah.ikerd@studio-shangri-la.com http://www.studio-shangri-la.com; https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarah-Ikerd Figure 1: Original Design Drawing Aerial View; Figure 2: Components Diagram Abstract In response to the growing concerns of urban air pollution and climate change, this paper presents the conceptual design ofContinue reading “Design For A Carbon Capture Air Filtration Drone + Helicopter Retrofit”
The Clownfish & The Anemone: Symbiotic Business Partnerships For A Circular Economy
There is a necessary economic transformation happening towards a Circular Economy to keep us thriving on Earth. A circular economy is an economic system focused on minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency by recycling, reusing, and regenerating materials. With a systems thinking approach to economy and commerce, there can be leaps and bounds of innovationContinue reading “The Clownfish & The Anemone: Symbiotic Business Partnerships For A Circular Economy”
A 4 Quadrant Solution For Waste Management & Plastics
With a high level systems thinking or systems engineering approach, even the most complex situations can be sifted into manageable categories and then simplified into the approachable, actionable steps. The above infographic simplifies the global waste management, and plastics and microplastics quandary into quadrants of solution. A quadrant is an instrument used for surveying, soContinue reading “A 4 Quadrant Solution For Waste Management & Plastics”
Featured Mixed Media Painting: Fabricate::Recreate
The featured 6′ x 3′ x 2″ mixed media is available in the Shop. For inquiries, please e-mail: sarah.ikerd@studio-shangri-la.com WHAT: This large conceptual mixed media is from 2023, and it’s two large terraced recycled canvases with upcycled textile strips. Other materials include prominent mica, acrylic paints, and water based spray paints and glosses. HOW: MakingContinue reading “Featured Mixed Media Painting: Fabricate::Recreate”
Featured Sustainable Mixed Media: “Tapestry Of We”
The first note about this tapestry is that it’s still in progress. Given experience with previous mixed media, the process of the piece can also look really interesting. I find it already compelling in its natural form, as a combination of upcycled materials: ‘Yard waste’ or found wood, fabric that is/was a curtain, other recycledContinue reading “Featured Sustainable Mixed Media: “Tapestry Of We””
§ Research Notes: A Morphing Photocatalytic Reactor & Point Of Convergence
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 ofContinue reading “§ Research Notes: A Morphing Photocatalytic Reactor & Point Of Convergence”
Studio Multimedia Update: Moments With Nature, The 2025 Grammys & More
The latest studio multimedia starts off with new (and old) additions to the Studio Shangri-La conceptual online photography catalogs – here of course, and also TurningArt and Saatchi Art. The above original with graphic design is “Khepri’s Sunflower,” named for the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph of the beetle, representing bringing something into being or to create.Continue reading “Studio Multimedia Update: Moments With Nature, The 2025 Grammys & More”
Studio Shangri-La Multimedia Update: Music, Art & Science
It’s been an fun and exciting multimedia summer so far, and that promises to continue, beginning with the OCTAVES Music release schedule, the continuation of SS publications, upcoming art commissions, plus ongoing research in sustainability, design & innovation. Music =Sarah Ikerd • Electric Echoes: A Cosmic Tech Opera (out now) Sarah Ikerd • The GreatContinue reading “Studio Shangri-La Multimedia Update: Music, Art & Science”
The Abstract Realism Of Nature
The colorful photography seen here looks abstract, yet it’s also realistic. “Light Angel” is sunlight shining on diffraction grating paper to produce beautiful spectral line patterns and accompanies current research; “Magentropy” is an edited close-up of cracking paint. While for many paintings the cracking effect would be considered degradation or breakdown that art restoration attemptsContinue reading “The Abstract Realism Of Nature”
Microscopy, Materials Science & Functional Design For A Circular Photocatalytic Waste Receptacle
The next projected steps in the photocatalysis project for a circular ‘trashcan of the future’ are to get a more specific and efficient by understanding from the macro to the nano levels what is occurring and optimizing for the desired results of producing useful byproducts, most importantly water. That means developing a consist formula orContinue reading “Microscopy, Materials Science & Functional Design For A Circular Photocatalytic Waste Receptacle”
Studio Shangri-La Design + Lab: Bold Projects, Cures & Legacy Value
It comes to this — who will bravely build the cures for the greater value of benefit to society and legacy. On more than one occasion I’ve heard representatives from large institutions say they’re afraid of cures or solutions. From a business or competitive standpoint then, losing profit, running out of challenges or ideas toContinue reading “Studio Shangri-La Design + Lab: Bold Projects, Cures & Legacy Value”
Studio Shangri-La Research Notes: Pathways From Plastic To Water
In constructing a process and device that uses a photochemistry to break down or rather transform plastics into useful byproducts such as water and hydrogen, it becomes necessary to delve into of course photonics, chemistry, physics, earth science and of course experimentation, application of the concepts in a learn-by-doing style. Climate action is of courseContinue reading “Studio Shangri-La Research Notes: Pathways From Plastic To Water”
Studio Shangri-La Lab Notes: From Plastic To Water By Photochemistry
To say that the successful and so far safe transformation, or alchemization, from plastic to water is a pleasant surprise is an understatement. I’m excited on different levels – pun intended – to discover that the ideal expected outcome is possible, of safely using UV lights to photocatalyze plastic into water is practical. There areContinue reading “Studio Shangri-La Lab Notes: From Plastic To Water By Photochemistry”
Studio Shangri-La Lab Notes: Improved Air Quality & Flashing Lights
Here comes Earth Month and onwards with the journey of the ‘Black Pearl’ — testing title only. It will definitely receive an uncontested name later on. Interestingly, the next emissions and variation test yielded even more improved air quality. The difference here was improving the components to be more streamlined, and the lights were flashingContinue reading “Studio Shangri-La Lab Notes: Improved Air Quality & Flashing Lights”
Studio Shangri-La Lab Notes: Monitoring Emissions Part 1
The most recent testing of the trash can of the future’s photocatalytic process featured monitoring emissions, which is of course important for safety in the immediate environment, and in the bigger picture. Safety and ease of use at home are very important design constraints. The process in the container cannot be hazardous, or “off-gassing” noxiousContinue reading “Studio Shangri-La Lab Notes: Monitoring Emissions Part 1”
Studio Shangri-La Lab Notes: The Trash Can Of The Future / Photocatalysis Of Plastics
It is wonderful to get started on the prototype design for my photocatalysis / photodegradation process for using light to break down plastics, to incorporate into a “the trash can of the future,” a novel approach that removes and prevents trash from circulating in the environment. This idea I originally submitted to the MIT SolveContinue reading “Studio Shangri-La Lab Notes: The Trash Can Of The Future / Photocatalysis Of Plastics”