Started in 2024, the Signal & Noise began as a tribute to the important of both coherence and decoherence as a means of organization and reorganization. In that way, it’s definitely quantum inspired. The series also reframes entropy as a form of mobility and yet another type of patterning. Next, the pieces with text introduceContinue reading “Contemporary Art Feature: Adding to the “Signal & Noise” Series”
Tag Archives: chemistry
The Making of Regenerative “BioSip: Seeds Of Longevity” Cold Infusion
Ingredients: Natural Spring Water, Raw Honeycomb Honey, Sequoia seed, Quaking Aspen seed, Creosote seed, Pomegranate seed, Sequoia needle, Dried Basil, Dried Mint, Horsetail, Stonebreaker, Heal All, Horsetail, Cat’s Claw, Huamanpinta, Tomatillo Husk All of these high potency ingredients – especially the Creosote, of which there is only one seed included – are used sparingly. OnceContinue reading “The Making of Regenerative “BioSip: Seeds Of Longevity” Cold Infusion”
Exploring Shape Memory With Conceptual Photography
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 justContinue reading “Exploring Shape Memory With Conceptual Photography”
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”
Design For A Modular Optosonic Waste To Water Receptacle
Design For A Modular Optosonic Waste To Water Receptacle on ResearchGate By Sarah Ikerd, Studio Shangri-La Multimedia, June 2025 Sarah.ikerd@studio-shangri-la.com http://www.studio-shangri-la.com; https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarah-Ikerd Figure 1: Central Core Nonagon of LEDs with nanometer ranges Abstract: This modular and scalable optosonic system transforms waste into water using a novel integration of light, sound, shape, materials, and fluid dynamics.Continue reading “Design For A Modular Optosonic Waste To Water Receptacle”
Featured Mixed Media Artwork For Earth Month: The Cosmic Upcycled “Carbon 666” ⚛️
The latest mixed media “Carbon 666” is named for the 6 protons, 6 neutrons and 6 electrons in a Carbon atom, or C6 on the periodic table. What in the past was superstitiously and paradoxically considered an ominous number in some traditions, actually reflects the now more well understood magic of chemistry, though there isContinue reading “Featured Mixed Media Artwork For Earth Month: The Cosmic Upcycled “Carbon 666” ⚛️”
§ 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”
Plastic-To-Water Lab Notes: Testing A Desktop UV Reactor With Sound
As the popular quotation goes, “do what you can with what you have.” The exploration of science and life is open to many pathways. In this continued series of experiments, the overall goal is to transmute or catalyze plastic into water with light, and possibly the addition of sound. So, using what amounts to molecularContinue reading “Plastic-To-Water Lab Notes: Testing A Desktop UV Reactor With Sound”
From Plastic To Water With Data: Charting A Course Of Light
In designing a photocatalytic plastic waste to water receptacle, the light array for the inside is the crucial component, and to determine what lights, in addition to ultraviolet, may be effective and complementary in expediently transmuting PET, for example. The included data table compares the nanometer equivalencies of ionization potentials (in eV) for Hydrogen, Carbon,Continue reading “From Plastic To Water With Data: Charting A Course Of Light”
Design Of Experiment & Data Collection: Ionization Levels & Electron Affinity Of Water
Purpose: Seeking to ascertain the energetic differences between Hydrogen, Carbon and Oxygen and the state of liquid water — specifically, the ionization levels of the outer valence electrons. That is, what synergetic light wavelength stimulus could it take to move these elements, that also comprise the basic polymeric makeup of plastics, into a new butContinue reading “Design Of Experiment & Data Collection: Ionization Levels & Electron Affinity Of Water”
DoE Research Notes: Sourcing Sustainable Metallurgy For Photocatalytic Waste-To-Water Receptacles
”You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” ~ Buckminster Fuller In continuing to post the Design of Experiment series, I document the process of realizing a photocatalytic trash can that can convert waste such as plastics into water and possibly other useful byproduct. TheContinue reading “DoE Research Notes: Sourcing Sustainable Metallurgy For Photocatalytic Waste-To-Water Receptacles”
Stellar Nucleosynthesis, Auroras & The Creation Of Elements
Stellar Nucleosynthesis, Auroras & The Creation Of Elements Sarah ikerd1 *1 Studio Shangri-La, Somerville, Massachusetts 02145 *sarah.ikerd@studio-shangri-la.composted 18 May 2024 ABSTRACT: This article proposes to bridge or connect the ongoing cosmic processes of stellar nucleosynthesis with the activities of our Sun, as well as the occurrence of in Earth’s magnetosphere, as well as other planets,Continue reading “Stellar Nucleosynthesis, Auroras & The Creation Of Elements”
Design of Experiment (DoE): Light Energy + Molecular Dynamics For Transformation Of Plastic Into Water
Author: Sarah Ikerd, Studio Shangri-La, sarah.ikerd@studio-shangri-la.com Visualizations by Meta AI Llama 3 On ResearchGate The next step in creating photocatalytic circular waste receptacles that can transform plastic into water, as in the beautifully illustrated accompanying visualizations by Meta AI, is to specifically hone that process. The first focus will be on the common PET, althoughContinue reading “Design of Experiment (DoE): Light Energy + Molecular Dynamics For Transformation Of Plastic Into Water”
Studio Shangri-La Lab: Designing A Light Array For The Non-Toxic Photocatalysis Of Plastics
Author: Sarah K. Ikerd, Studio Shangri-La, sarah.ikerd@studio-shangri-la.com https://www.researchgate.net/publication/379960840_Designing_A_Light_Array_For_The_Non-Toxic_Photocatalysis_Of_Plastics Abstract: In response to the urgent need for sustainable solutions to plastic waste, this study explores a novel home-safe photocatalysis process aimed at converting plastic waste into primarily water and hydrogen gas. Leveraging principles of redox chemistry and UV light irradiation, the process demonstrates promising results inContinue reading “Studio Shangri-La Lab: Designing A Light Array For The Non-Toxic Photocatalysis Of Plastics”
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 Pt. 2 + Managing Prototype Design
Recently I completed a course on Agile Project Management, and that has been a great accompaniment to beginning the prototype build for a portable photocatalytic or photodegradation system. One important point before proceeding with the fun testing is that all the components truly fulfill the design and product requirements, and address any issues directly asContinue reading “Studio Shangri-La Lab Notes: Monitoring Emissions Pt. 2 + Managing Prototype Design”
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”