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”
Tag Archives: trash
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”
§ 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”
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”
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 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”
Project for MIT Solve Climate Adaptation: Rapid Photodegradation Of Plastics In A Portable Device
A concept worth sharing: Enhancing the process that would occur naturally in a landfill by concentrating different types of UV light in an EM radiation resistant receptacle — or, a next level trash can. Imagine what that would achieve for waste reduction, with materials like ‘forever’ plastics never even entering the typical waste management system.Continue reading “Project for MIT Solve Climate Adaptation: Rapid Photodegradation Of Plastics In A Portable Device”
Eco + Tech: Flash Biodegradability Pt. 1 — Concept Adaptation & Development
The concept of Flash Biodegradability is directly inspired by the above achievement of James Tour and team at Rice University, making “flash graphene” out of trash, a carbon byproduct. Flash Biodegradability would ideally leave no tangible byproduct, such as trace elements or light — or create a useful byproduct such as water. Its successful realizationContinue reading “Eco + Tech: Flash Biodegradability Pt. 1 — Concept Adaptation & Development”
Learning From Nature: Using Digestive Processes For Waste Management
How doth the little crocodile Improve his shining tail, And pour the waters of the Nile On every golden scale! How cheerfully he seems to grin, How neatly spreads his claws, And welcomes little fishes in, With gently smiling jaws! ~ The Crocodile by Lewis Carroll “How doth,” indeed. The crocodile has a powerful digestiveContinue reading “Learning From Nature: Using Digestive Processes For Waste Management”
Tech + Environment: Plasma Arc Gasification & Vaporization / Sublimation Trashcan + Receptacles — Revolutionizing Waste Management
I have a rudimentary design of a trashcan that uses a laser in the process of vaporizing / gasifying or sublimating waste to either produce ideal byproducts like even Oxygen or Water, or quite “simply” keep infinitely re-energizing the process of the can! Fortunately these methods are up & coming in waste treatment plants. ButContinue reading “Tech + Environment: Plasma Arc Gasification & Vaporization / Sublimation Trashcan + Receptacles — Revolutionizing Waste Management”