Project Development
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Concept
In the last years I have been working with the experimentation and research of traditional materials and surfaces. Integrating interaction with different fields such as architecture, media, textile and surface design. I tried to think in a project that would explore the topics around the assignment with my own interests and background. I have three ideas, two with the same focus.
1. Idea: Smart Structures
I make a comprehensive research of materials in movement, exploring the way how materials, objects and structures interact. As a practical experiment I want to explore the functionalities of smart structures such as lightness, modularity and interactivity.
Material Movement : Smart structures Geometry Abstraction
Question: Could smart structures/materials/surfaces be modular ? be individual ?
Keywords:
Smart Structures ->
System of structures
Control of movement Modular System
Individualization of structures Geometries
Abstraction of the forms
Textile Interaction
Haptic interaction
Smart materials: SMA
Movements
Torsion Axis (linear) movements
retraction
Expansion
Application
Prothesis
Living organisms
Bio Sensors (modular system for wearables mit iOT connection)
Bio Actuators
Requirements/Technical issues:
Capacitive sensors (force sensors)
System of monitoring
Cases:
Monitoring- and measuring sensors Actuators
2. Idea: responsive Prosthesis
Prosthesis is an application, that could be considered in the field of smart structures and especially in the functionality of prostheses . This research will consider an application in the embodiment interaction field using digital prototyping not only for the improvement of the mechanic, but also for integrating an interaction through the development of exchange of data, helping the user to control and better use the prosthesis. In addition, the prototyping will benefit the individualization and modularization of the Responsive Prosthesis. (An extension of the body, it could include gloves, band aid...) .
Material Movement : Smart structures Geometry
3. Idea: machine drilling water out of the ground
I want to do a DIY device/mechanism or machine to get water out of the ground.
I thought in the possible functionalities:
Extract water from a freshwater source.
Recognition of the nearest water source.
Capacity of storing water and level recognition.
Recognition if the water is good for human consumption, otherwise it will have to be purified. Option of the filter if the filter is broken get a recognition of this status.
A little bit of the background of the idea.
La Guajira is a department of colombia with one of the highest level of poverty in Colombia, with a huge amount of indigenous communities as the Wayúu people. the majority of the population lives in conditions of extreme poverty. The Wayúu, an indigenous people that have lived in La Guajira for more than 3,000 years and whose cultural and political traditions are deeply rooted, live in conditions of considerable hardship and lack almost all access to basic public services. The department is one of the richest regions in the country in terms of natural resources with the world’s largest opencut coal mine – El Cerrejón – which generates approximately US$ 50 million per annum in royalties from the exploitation of coal and coal related products . However, this important revenue source has historically not been matched by the capacity of the Department’s leaders to materialize it into adequate infrastructure and an acceptable level of public services for the department’s population. The department faces a host of structural problems rooted in a historic lack of long-term vision and strategic planning, and unstable economic growth. source:www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer
Of the many challenges for fostering development faced by the Department, the water and sanitation sector is, without doubt, the most pressing, since water is scarcely available in most areas of the Department and this is perceived by the public to be a major problem, especially in the hot climate of La Guajira.
The consumption of non potable water is the biggest cause of mortality, killing hundreds of people and thousands of animals per year. The infrastructure of transport and health is extremely poor. As well as in South Africa woman and children have to walk several kilometers to get water. Also, the water in the urban area in this region is considered non potable. The communities store rainwater even though the water is not proper for cooking or consumption. They have to survive not only with the hot climate, but also, with the bacteria and diseases caused by this water.