Antipode
The other point on Earth’s
surface diametrically opposite to one.Fall 2023
@Designing for the Internet of Things, 49-713
Implementation tool: Particle IDE, Rhino3D
Demonstration video
Instructor: Daragh Byrne
Collaboration: Sherry Yujin Wu and Yiming Jiao
The definition of antipode is the other point on Earth’s surface diametrically opposite to one.
Our team propose a system featuring two interconnected liquid timers, symbolizing connection over distance. Each liquid timer is controlled by a servo for rotation, controlled by a handle. To transmit a signal, a user rotates the handle by 180 degrees. One end of the handle has a magnet, and a hall effect detector registers changes in magnetic status, transmitting a signal to an argon device. The argon then activates the servos on both the local and remote liquid timers, causing them to rotate by 180 degrees and the colorful liquid will slowly descend. Simultaneously, a neopixel behind a translucent acrylic adding a subtle visual element to the communication process. Given that the liquid timer’s rotation is observable for only two minutes, we explore the use of timed, subtle signals as a means of communication.
Reflection
We’ve received a significant amount of feedback on enhancing the user experience. For instance, it’s noted that the initial instinct upon installation is to rotate the clock instead of exploring the magic wand. People seem to have a ingrained perception of interacting with a liquid timer. Despite not wanting to enclose it, the reality is that it’s becoming more of a display, prompting consideration of using a transparent acrylic. This experience highlights the importance of being more decisive in our design approach. Another point of feedback relates to the 2-minute replay effect. When person B receives a signal from person A, finding an efficient acknowledgment method is crucial. While replicating the signal could work, it risks interrupting A’s previous message. To address this, a suggestion is to repeat the action of touching the snoopy with the magic wand, triggering a color change instead of rotating the timer—a quick way for person A to know their message is received.
Other valuable feedback includes slowing down the rotating speed of the timer and swapping the locations of Snoopy and Woodstock. These insights will be considered for future improvements. Reflecting on our three-week experience, we acknowledge underestimating the time required to design, test, and redesign the mechanical aspects, particularly with 3D printing. Consequently, there was a rush to ensure everything was functioning just two hours before the actual presentation.
Materials Waste Cycle Data Repository
Graphic user interface, sustainability
2022
Preliminary Research
Solo Work
Tap the button Start Drawing below
This graphic user interface of a sketch via
p5.js generates representations of the material degradation process at the
molecular level in relation to the temperature and carbon footprints. The
representation according to different types of materials – organic compounds,
synthetic organic compounds, or inorganic compounds – is interactively operated
following each arrangement of the abstract particles and primitively
demonstrates the movement as per the temperature, referring to its bond energy.
Polymers composition
Types of polymer bonds
Which criteria define sustainability?
Building materials classification
As my experience in design grew, I began to develop an interest in materials through confronting the huge gap between the abstract nature of design and the entirely physical act of construction. I found the exploration of materiality to be particularly challenging while working at Van Santen and Associates, a facade engineering firm, where the discussion of material properties across a range of suppliers and researchers was a core competency. Understanding of such parameters played a vital role in designing performance related experiments in the pursuit of innovative design.
While being the lead Project Manager for the UBLO Windows, ideally its profiles would be mass-produced using injection moulds for recycled thermoplastics, such as polycarbonate. However it became clear that most plastics are not recycled due to quality control barriers. As a result, while the theoretical carbon footprint of recycled plastics could significantly boost the attractiveness of such materials, the practical logistics of the material would pose a very real issue. An opportunity here would be in building a set of datasets that could somehow flag up more practical fabrication limitations on top of the more marketable theories of material performance.
In a broad sense, the current methods for evaluating sustainability involve three different criteria: (1) materials that have low carbon emission in a building life cycle (i.e. production, distribution, performance as a building component, and demolition); (2) materials that are not harmful to human health; and (3) materials that are recyclable or degradable. Issues with the meaning of ‘sustainable material’ arise when the current industry recognizes the material to be sustainable even if only one of these three criteria is met.
While being the lead Project Manager for the UBLO Windows, ideally its profiles would be mass-produced using injection moulds for recycled thermoplastics, such as polycarbonate. However it became clear that most plastics are not recycled due to quality control barriers. As a result, while the theoretical carbon footprint of recycled plastics could significantly boost the attractiveness of such materials, the practical logistics of the material would pose a very real issue. An opportunity here would be in building a set of datasets that could somehow flag up more practical fabrication limitations on top of the more marketable theories of material performance.
In a broad sense, the current methods for evaluating sustainability involve three different criteria: (1) materials that have low carbon emission in a building life cycle (i.e. production, distribution, performance as a building component, and demolition); (2) materials that are not harmful to human health; and (3) materials that are recyclable or degradable. Issues with the meaning of ‘sustainable material’ arise when the current industry recognizes the material to be sustainable even if only one of these three criteria is met.