Featured Mixed Media: “Eye Of Infinity”

A sculptural upcycled piece of drumheads and LEDs inspired by optics and lenses / evolution of vision and awareness, the wave connection of music, and larger symbolism of the infinity symbol, plus the eye / iris, apertures perceiving reality in different ways. Also the quotation: “Say that I was a drum major for peace. IContinue reading “Featured Mixed Media: “Eye Of Infinity””

Art For The New Year: Angels Of The Horizon

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 amongContinue reading “Art For The New Year: Angels Of The Horizon”

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”

§ 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”

Research Notes: Observations Of Phototaxis & Lorentz Force

From recent tests of the UV Reactor, I’ve seen the Polyethylene cup undergo some deformation such as buckling at the walls and slight cracking at the edges. The testing process will continue being adjusted such as altering the container’s shape. During this process, as I counted on, I’m observing interesting phenomena and behavior of lightContinue reading “Research Notes: Observations Of Phototaxis & Lorentz Force”

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”

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”

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”

Colorfield Light Photography

Accompanying recent research and experimentation with light, this is a new series of photographs that look like abstract colorfield paintings, yet they are realistically the behaviors of light, or sunlight shining on reflective or diffractive surfaces. They can be produced in a few different formats, including digital. Here’s the shop link: https://studioshangrila.myshopify.com/collections/colorfield. These are alsoContinue reading “Colorfield Light Photography”

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”

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”

Philosophy + Evolutionary Biology: A New View Of Cancer & Making Peace With Microworld

With the entrance (and re-entry) of non-invasive medicine and new techniques for their implementation, modern health is turning towards making peace with nature, once again. Noninvasive medicine works synergistically with human biology, without invading or attacking. It’s important to remember that there are different realms of life on this planet, and they are designed toContinue reading “Philosophy + Evolutionary Biology: A New View Of Cancer & Making Peace With Microworld”

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”

Health + Innovation: Non-Invasive Medicines Of The Future Now

Dr. McCoy: My god, what is this, the Dark Ages? Here, you swallow that. If you have a problem, just call me… Intern #1: Weintrub said radical chemotherapy or she’s gonna croak… Dr. McCoy: Unbelievable. Intern #1: You have a different view, Doctor? McCoy: It sounds like the goddam Spanish Inquisition! McCoy: My God, man, drilling holes in his headContinue reading “Health + Innovation: Non-Invasive Medicines Of The Future Now”

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”