Friday, October 14, 2011

E04: Birthday Update

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Birthday Update

Today marks not only the birth of a new update, but the birth-day anniversary of ODDiTECTURE blogger KP.
So, what better way to celebrate a special event than by siting behind a warm computer and updating the blog with more useful info.

Anyway, for this special occasion we've decided to add a little more narrative to the blog to give it more of a human element -- so sit back, relax and enjoy the reading experience.

/start info

Looking further into the assignment, we begin to understand more clearly the intent of the previous excercises -- and class as a whole. Starting with (E01: Biomimetic Process) case studies on natural organisms & their functional processes (ie: growth/adaptation/reconfiguration/etc.), what their mechanisms are & how they are generatred -- moving on to (E02: Mechanical Motions and Kinetic Design) kinetic study models -- then (E03: Concept Development) on how we can utilize such knowledge to meet our own ends, as in architectural application.

The idea of Growth constantly popped up in work-sessions, but we thought it more appropriate to focus on Expansion and Movment as a means of understanding what we were really after. When working with robotics, it is difficult to justify the use of the term 'growth', as nothing really grows in/from mechanical-electronic structures -- rather, forms are 'built by' or aided in their construction process -- they are generated. This is the limit & bounds of robotics, alone -- and where one ends another begins or continues in combination to create a hybrid -- with the introduction of genetics, nanotechnology/bionanotechnology, the possibilities seem boundless.

As one publication suggests, "The title [The End of Robotics in Architecture (as we almost got to know it)] is not meant to suggest that we are wasting our time with current research in  architectural robotics but that possibilities in interactive architecture from the vantage point of a biological paradigm make the mechanical paradigm seem dated" -- (UbiComp 2009, Michael Fox).

Concept (new): Skin-Generating Petal-Feeder

Problem: Need for rule-based, motor-driven & electronically-controlled (Arduino) skin generator

Solution / Design Intent: Using a mechanical motor as a means for Generation, combined with a feeding mechanism that Moves the 'feed' or 'petals' (smaller components of a larger system or 'skin') to simulate Growth through the spreading out & Expansion of such connected 'petal' modules via a spitting, weaver mechanism.

'Win': Creation of an interesting skin, the design of which will be dictated by the energy output of the motor (by the centrifugal force that the motor creates) and manipulation of the weaver mechanism.

Notes to Self: Needs more work (much more work) -- Maybe a different direction (what seems to be, in essense, another pipe-bender could benefit from some more critical thought) -- Sketch is crappy (very crappy)

/end info
Concept Sketch:

Development Team:
CYBORGIAN iMITATION (499biomimic-gr.blogspot.com)

Team Blog:
Organic Automation (organic-automation.blogspot.com)

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

E03: Concept Development & Working Model

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Concept Development & Working Model

Concept: Carbon-Collecting & Shading System (Building Facade/Skin)
Mechanism(s): Retraction 'muscle' (strings connected to end of spring, collected to spool via motor) -- spring expands into fully-deployed, default position, upon release of retraction muscle
Function(s): Carbon Collection & Shading System
Generation/Procedure: System of modules -- each module contains a matrix of 'carbon feeders' -- 'feeders' (in a single module) collectively contract & expand upon activation of 'parent' module --expanding & contracting of 'feeder petals' collect carbon, depositing into interior carbon-collection cavity -- 'petals' are designed for maximal surface area & minimal space occupancy -
**Possibility for Solar Energy Collection**
System Limit(s): Surface area of building envelope -- other limits may exist, depending on development of system & modules

Applicability: Urban center pollution reduction -- applied as ground level facade system to capture & collect maximal amount of carbon emissions produced by street-level traffic. Provides shading & privacy mechanism
**Possibility for dynamic interaction with interior and/or exterior pedestrian traffic**

Concept Diagram:
coming soon...

Photo Documentation:
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(Stage 1: Overview of single module in expanded state)
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(Stage 2: Close-up of module, matrix of cells w/ 'feeders', all expanded)
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(Stage 3: Single 'feeder' cell/unit, within matrix, expanded)
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(Stage 4: Detail of single 'feeder' in expanded state)
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(Stage 5: Detail of single 'feeder' in contracted state)

Video Documentation:
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(Stage 1: showing...)


Development Team:
CYBORGIAN iMITATION (499biomimic-gr.blogspot.com)
ODDiTECTURE (odditecture.blogspot.com)

Team Blog:
Organic Automation (organic-automation.blogspot.com)

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

E02: Mechanical Motions and Kinetic Design

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Case Study to Working Concept

Concept: Collapsible Tree
Mechanism: Retraction muscle & Joints paired with Flexible shading system (solar panels)
Function: Shade & Solar Energy Collection
Generation: Contracting/Expansion of 'muscles' (line/wire) w/
System Limits: Number & Length of Joints
Applicability: Shading system (faux tree) -- paired with solar array & sensor system to automatically expand (to shade from intense solar energy) and contract (when not receiving necessary solar energy)

Concept Diagram:


Photo Documentation:
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(Stage 1: showing...)
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(Stage 2: showing...)
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(Stage 3: showing...)
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(Stage 4: showing...)

Video Documentation:
...
(Stage 1: showing...)


Development Team:
CYBORGIAN iMITATION (499biomimic-gr.blogspot.com)

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

E01: Biomimetic Process (Growth and Adaptability)

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Mechanical Expansion & Architectural Applicability

Case Study: Bryozoa

Mechanism: Retraction muscle
Function: Organism feeding & protection
Generation: Contracting/Expansion of muscle
System Limits: Surface area of environment
Applicability: Shading system -- paired with solar array & sensor system to automatically expand (to shade from intense solar energy) and contract (when not receiving necessary solar energy)

(Source: http://www.bryozoa.net/bryozo-1.pdf / bryozo-2.pdf)
(More Info: http://www.bryozoa.net/bryointr.htm


Case Study: Snake

Mechanism: Protective Skin/Shell
Function: Organism homeostasis -- water protection & retention
Generation: Hardening of external material, shed by contraction and expansion of internal (muscle) system -- using form (positive) to create a shell (negative
System Limits: Exterior surface area of generator
Applicability: Skin system -- formed via hardening agent excreted through pores of a dynamic (solid) form to create dynamic shell forms (to encase void)

(Source: http://www.insulinpumpfashions.com/images/swatches/Snakeskin%20Twill.JPG)

(Source: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/zo150/mozley/fall/snakeskin.jpg)
(More Info: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/zo150/mozley/fall/studyaids.html)