Humanity is getting rewired, and wired further, through our technologies, that mirror to and reflect from ourselves. Collective consciousness is making more of a shift from closed loop thinking, devices and dualities, to more open flexible systems and multidimensionality, in which we can employ multiple perspectives for advances and improvements in both technology and biology.Continue reading “Evolutionary Biology, Technology + Philosophy: A Higher, Deeper Learning Of Sustainability & Energy Pathways”
Tag Archives: science
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”
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”
”Electric Echoes” Album Release On OCTAVES Music
This 6 movement concert work on OCTAVES Music has been released as a 45 minute album — please see the links below — and is up for nomination for an award. The published score, and libretto, is forthcoming. The impetus to complete the full concert work, and particularly an opera, was given steam by applyingContinue reading “”Electric Echoes” Album Release On OCTAVES Music”
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”
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”
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”
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 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: 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”
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”
Light + Perception: Photons, Phosphenes & Dreams
How we see or perceive with the senses affects how we describe and categorize things, and the significance and purposes we assign to them. Even the most “data driven” type of person views through a unique lens of life experiences and within a set of shifting emotional states. And there’s great beauty in that, givenContinue reading “Light + Perception: Photons, Phosphenes & Dreams”
Earth Science + Technology: A Battery By Any Other Name…
For grand energy systems in action, we need look no further than the science and technology of our home planet for impressive examples: Sea and Sky. It’s especially interesting to consider their ‘electronic’ properties in light of modern innovation. Though the modern technological concept of hydro or hydroelectric power has earliest known evidence in BCContinue reading “Earth Science + Technology: A Battery By Any Other Name…”