“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 This principle emphasizes innovation and creating superior alternatives rather than direct confrontation with outdated systems…” By establishing quantum coherence with its coordinates across cosmicContinue reading “Starfish Bioship: A New Era in Space Travel”
Tag Archives: materials
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”
5 Ways To Make A Positive Eco Impact At Home
Earth Month is the perfect time to embrace small yet impactful changes that contribute to both local and global sustainability. Here are five accessible actions to help build a more eco-conscious future—because even small shifts make a difference. Personally, I’ve enjoyed switching to bamboo toilet paper—it’s soft, sustainable, and a meaningful choice. Composting has alsoContinue reading “5 Ways To Make A Positive Eco Impact At Home”
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: 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”
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”
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”
Materials Composition: The Hidden Dimension Of Aerospace
Up until now, the most common materials, both lightweight and strong, for spaceships and satellites have included aluminum alloys, titanium, carbon composites, and steel. More generally speaking, alloys and composites. Alloys are a mixture of metals and metal with non-metal; composites are a combination of materials with very different compositions. And for aerospace, they haveContinue reading “Materials Composition: The Hidden Dimension Of Aerospace”
Environment, Industry & Public Health: Four Categorical Solutions For Positive Planetary Transformation
Environment, industry and public health are inextricably linked. Environment is of course our home planet Earth, the space in which we live and operate. And its health and condition affect our own wellbeing. The manner in which industry is conducted and the materials used directly affect environment. Thus, our behavior and choices directly affect environment.Continue reading “Environment, Industry & Public Health: Four Categorical Solutions For Positive Planetary Transformation”
Tech Essay: Quantum Technologies For Aerospace
The realization of quantum computing and technologies calls for breakthrough innovations both ideological and pragmatic. The areas of science contributing include but are not limited to Quantum Physics, Computer Science, Materials Science, Engineering and Chemistry. The development of quantum technologies requires a multidisciplinary approach, and then interdisciplinary collaboration. Every day there is new research andContinue reading “Tech Essay: Quantum Technologies For Aerospace”
Chemistry + Philosophy: Biosynergy For A Better World by Studio Shangri-La Podcast
Studio Shangri-La presents a podcast series that explores the arts & sciences, philosophy and more. — Read on anchor.fm/sarah-ikerd/episodes/Chemistry–Philosophy-Biosynergy-For-A-Better-World-e1rajm3
RE-POST: “Craft using an inertial mass reduction device” [Google Patents] aka The Dawn Of Deep Space Travel
“Matter, energy, and spacetime are all emergent constructs which arise out of the fundamental framework that is the vacuum energy state.” — Read on patents.google.com/patent/US10144532B2/en Yes, this 2018 active U.S. Navy patent in part represents the new era of deep space travel. What a perfect example of innovation acceleration, out of some necessity, as humanityContinue reading “RE-POST: “Craft using an inertial mass reduction device” [Google Patents] aka The Dawn Of Deep Space Travel”
Tech + Health: Ensuring Product Safety With Machine Learning
“… it is not feasible to test for all 900 chemicals,” says the product inquiry reply. I don’t think that’s true, though. Besides, once you decide to find a way, you’ll probably find a way. Modern machine learning can make such large scale testing possible. In fact, that is a thing — Large Scale MachineContinue reading “Tech + Health: Ensuring Product Safety With Machine Learning”
Tech + Materials: The Buzz On Graphene
Graphene is inorganic/human-assembled crystalline carbon, laid out flat in 2D sheet, with a hexagonal lattice configuration. This is copying nature: Bees use hexagonal packing for their honeycombs to maximize space. Carbon has many forms and uses since it’s one fundamental constituent of our material reality. Like other elements, it’s a type of atom, with aContinue reading “Tech + Materials: The Buzz On Graphene”