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”
Tag Archives: waste management
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”
The Clownfish & The Anemone: Symbiotic Business Partnerships For A Circular Economy
There is a necessary economic transformation happening towards a Circular Economy to keep us thriving on Earth. A circular economy is an economic system focused on minimizing waste and maximizing resource efficiency by recycling, reusing, and regenerating materials. With a systems thinking approach to economy and commerce, there can be leaps and bounds of innovationContinue reading “The Clownfish & The Anemone: Symbiotic Business Partnerships For A Circular Economy”
§ 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”
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 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”
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”
Chemistry, Environment + Public Health: Portable Waste To Energy — A Trashcan That Powers Your Home
Waste management is such an important issue right now and for the future of earth that the value of innovation in this area is greater than currency. In other words, sustainable innovations going on right now and their acceleration are tremendously valuable. If anyone tries to hoard technology or charge top dollar, that could haveContinue reading “Chemistry, Environment + Public Health: Portable Waste To Energy — A Trashcan That Powers Your Home”
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”