CHRISTIAN AAGE LUNDSGAARD - 8/1/2015 Draft Design -- Evaluation and Recommendations The purpose of this report is to evaluate two designs against Life´s Principles, and provide feedback as to how the designs meet these principles as well as suggest design improvements. 1. EZ-Pack Sacks, by Katie Newton
Here is a sketch of some of the ideas that evolved from the evaluation. 2. Torpedotron by Ben Marquardt
Pine cones. A method of producing trees
Abstract of the design: The design should consists of two types of cone shaped structures (hereafter: cone 1 and cone 2) each attached to a tree in different locations. Description of cone 1. Small in size, placed in groups with other cones at locations with high degree of movement and wind. The cone shaped structure should consist of tightly layered scales that form a protective layer. Once a year this layer should open up and reveal a series of sacs filled with small lightweight grains that hold a sperm cell each. These sacs should be extended automatically out into the wind when climate is dry and windy. The lightweight grains must be able to be transported by normal wind force. The quantity of lightweight grains must be very high to ensure that some of grains will reach an egg in cone 2 to produce a seed. Description of cone 2: Similar cone shaped scale structure. Each scale should hold an egg. The structure should be sensitive to air humidity and open its scales when it is dry and close them when it is wet. This function must still work after the cone is detached from the tree. Cone 1 and cone 2 must be placed in such a way that grains from cone 1 does not land on cone 2´s from the same tree, but rather on a different one. This is to increase the quality of future trees. One way could be: cone 1 at the bottom and cone 2 at the top. When cone 2 is on the ground, and the seed has grown sufficiently, it should release the seed to the soil. A new tree should grow. /Christian The most interesting strategies that emerged from this session:
1. Strategy: The branching of trees to cover large area for water and sunlight collection Functions: Collecting energy, while optimizing material usage, managing compression and preventing deformation This is a great example of how nature uses shape rather than material. The tree has to cover a large area to gather the rain and sun it needs. The mass/volume of the tree and the amount of energy it has to collect are directly related, so the tree has to optimize this relation. One of the strategies it uses is the shape: a strong network of roots, a large trunk and gradually smaller branches reaching out to support the leaves and as it was the case this morning: the large volumes of water resting on the leaves. It also laminates its own material in a circular pattern that increases its strength, instead of simply adding more material. 2. Strategy: The Cardinals flame red color attracts females Function: Attract attention 3. Strategy: The crown of flowers sit on top of their long stems and are brightly colored Function: Attract attention Both 2 and 3 are great strategies for attracting attention. Both use color and the flowers also uses shape (reaching high over the surrounding plants) 4. Strategy: The soil holds water, nutrients from dead plants and waste from animals Function: Store energy The soil uses the shape (the composition and texture) of the soil and the locally available energy sources to store the energy and release it for further use when needed. In this proces nature utilizes a ressource that humans very seldom use to their benefit: time. Time always seems to be a constraint for us rather than a ressource. Many natural processes are slow, but if we had the vision to plan ahead (sometimes beyond our own lifetime) the ressource of time could be considered as one of our strongest ressources rather than a constraint. /Christian I spent the last two weeks on a family trip to The Dakotas, Montana and Wyoming. Our main goal was Yellowstone, but we spent a lot of time in other nature areas as well. It was Invigorating to spend so much time with my family in some of the most beautiful and wildlife rich areas of this great country. Here are some of the nature inspired ideas that came out of those weeks:
1. Function: "Scare away". Mother grizzly bear bluff charges to scare away other animals and to protect her cubs. Idea: Crime prevention system on houses, cars, offices could include more direct warnings to intruders, informing them more directly of the consequences of their actions, to hopefully deter them from their business. (The grizzly mother sure got the message through to the large elk approaching!) 2. Function: "Symbiosis". Wolf lichen on trees are combined of a fungus that provides structural support and channeling/absorption of water and an algae that produce food for the organism through photosynthesis. Idea: Tower gardens are becoming increasingly popular. How about exchanging the plastic they are usually made of with lichen, specifically grown and shaped for this purpose. The fungus would provide structure and algae would provide food for the organism to grow, while plants in the garden could grow, and when the tower no longer could produce, it would be 100% compostable. 3. Function: "Multifunctional dwelling". Prairie dog burrow layout: air chambers, winter chambers, children chambers, lookout mounds Idea: Underground homes for people with function specific rooms: deep (insulated) rooms for winter dwelling, light tunnels, water gathering and management systems integrated 4. Function: "Thermal adjusting". Snake adjusting its temperature using sunlight and shade Idea: Glass roof for houses in northern climate. Automatic blinds and roller shutters work with indoor temperature specifically for the rooms they are placed over. 5. Function: "Building and releasing pressure". Geysers: lets off steam due to high temperature and pressure, plus a narrow opening. Idea: Pressurized rain water barrel. To make the use of rain water for watering flowers easier, the rain water barrel could be pressurized and heated (through solar energy maybe), this would the rain water to be sprayed on flower beds rather than using a watering can. 6. Function: "Up/Re-cycling". Decomposition of trees. Simply: When they die they become nutrients for animals and plants and eventually soil. Idea: Ban packaging that is not 100% compostable. The solutions already exist. This would start creativity! 7. Function: "Cooling". Horses sweat to cool down Idea: Water cooled CPU´s. Rather than listening to the hum of the cooler, a closed circuit of water could cool the CPU and through a small heat exchanger, deliver the excess heat to surrounding air (or reuse this energy if possible?) 8. Function: "Extend reach". Horse uses long tail to chase off flies from areas that cannot be reached. Idea: broom like sweep for raingutters 9. Function: "Gathering energy". Rock dwelling pika storing dead leaves for winter like a haypile Idea: Combining the abundance of greens and sunlight during summer to dry more healthy food for the winter months rather than shipping in "fresh" vegetables from Chile to Chicago in february. 10. Function: "Protecting". Bighorn sheep male protect their brain while crashing their heads into competitors Idea: Use similar design for fenders in cars or bike helmets. /Christian Christian Aage Lundsgaard - FIRST SPIRAL - Design a jacket for active use in summer months. I would like to make a jacket that makes running or biking in summer rain as comfortable as riding on a mild sunny day in the spring. Most summer rain jackets I have tried are either too watertight and makes you feel like you are in a sauna, or not sufficiently watertight. IDENTIFY 1 Conditions:
Functions:
TRANSLATE 1 Translated conditions:
Translated Functions: (How do organisms...)
Building in LP´s: Resilient: easy drying, easy cleaning, easy repairing after rip, removal of sweaty scent Adaptive (sensing and responding): could the fabric detect the conditions and change strategy depending thereof? I.e. open membrane when rain stops Optimizing: Material consumption, pockets, zippers, highly visible material could be only on part of product Life supporting: eco friendly materials, recyclable, recycled, bio fibers? Values based: Main driving values: being able to do outdoor activities comfortably in the rain DISCOVER 1: Functions: Keeping skin dry/protect from rain:
Transport heat away from skin:
Make their surface visible
ABSTRACT 1: Functions: Keeping skin dry/protect from rain:
Transport heat away from skin:
Make their surface visible
EMULATE 1: The jacket will be a two layer composite: Outer layer: Overlapping fibre mats of watertight material with integrated structural color of varying color. These strands of fibre move individually as the person moves, creating a vivid color display on the surface making the runner/biker easy to see in traffic. Inner layer: Against the skin is a ultra thin cellular material with wide open cells, allowing almost 100% of the skin natural evaporation of sweat to take place. The cellular material has a thickness of ca. 1/8 of an inch and it is divided into different zones. A tiny air pump can replace the moist (sweaty) air in the zones, in to varying degrees depending on sweat level (i.e. more air under arms) The combination of the two layers has to be flexible to all full movement of the person. EVALUATE 1: I will re-visit Natures Principles to look for improvements for next lap: Resilient: Can I make the design more resilient? easy drying, easy cleaning, easy repairing after rip, removal of sweaty scent Adaptive (sensing and responding): could the fabric detect the moisture level in different zones and adjust airflow accordingly, to aim for even body temperature all over? Optimizing: Material consumption, (could the inner cellular netting be 3d printed? Pockets and zippers are to be minimized, highly visible material should be on all of the water repelling outer fibres. If they are added to a part of the design they are an add-on, and it is not ressourcefull use of materials Life supporting: eco friendly materials, recyclable, recycled, bio fibers? Values based: Main driving values: being able to do outdoor activities comfortably in the rain IDENTIFY 2:
TRANSLATE 2: Translated Functions: (How do organisms...)
DISCOVER 2:
ABSTRACT 2: Outer shell Build surface of small overlapping, watertight areas, that repel water and has microstructure surfaces to reflect light in different colors Inner material Build foam like material that can transport large amounts of water and air through open cell structure (and maybe through free flowing/moving flagella inside the open cells), and that is completely flexible and soft on skin. EMULATE 2: Outer shell The shell of the jacket is comprised of tiny soft scales that allow free movement. The scales can be printed from natural material. The top of each scale is connected to the inner cellular layer and the rest of the scale is not connected. There is a small overlap between the scales to ensure water does not flow under the scales. Each scale has microstructure printed to reflect light in a specific way. Inner material The inner material is also printed - preferably in the same material. The inner system is shaped like a layer of sponge optimized for transporting humid air and water. The system will be divided into compartments: chest area, back area, arms, armpit area. These areas will be individually connected to a small pump placed low on the back of the runner/biker. Each compartment will have exhaust were sweat and humid air can escape. EVALUATE 2: Resilient: The printed cells (of the inner system) and the scales (of the outer shell) must be flexible and tear resistant Adaptive (sensing and responding): Could the color of the scales change depending of the outer conditions? Weather, traffic, forest, sun, rain? Optimizing/Life supporting: Scale overlap must be optimized for material consumption. Scale attachment must be done using as little material as possible. Printing both inner and outer material in the same soft fiber material and in the same print, would be optimal, since the connections between the two layers would be integral to the printing. What if the jacket could be made using only one material! If it is not compostable, it could be recyclable to become a jacket again (cycle in the "technical cycle"). Values based: Main driving values: being able to do outdoor activities comfortably in the rain with sustainable materials. IDENTIFY 3:
TRANSLATE 3: How does nature pump air or move air? How does nature store air? How does nature remove moisture from air? DISCOVER 3: How does nature pump air or move air? How does nature store air?
How does nature remove moisture from air?
ABSTRACT: The system filling the compartments of the jacket with air could be connected to buffer tanks, to make sure there is sufficient air available when needed. Differential pressure could be used to channel the new dry air through the channels. Strategically placing openings of inlet and outlet in areas of different pressures (i.e. on the fast-moving arm of a runner, on the middle of the back of a bikerider etc.) could enable pressure differentials that would help transport the air to where it is needed. At the air intake points, a large area heat and moisture exchange system should be built in to the design with the purpose of removing moisture from the air. This can be done through multi micro walled tubes of hydroscopic material. EMULATE 3: Inner and outer layer as described in loop 2. Air distribution system: Air flow is generated through pressure differentials rather than pumps. Tubes are placed at areas with high wind velocity and areas shelter from the wind, to create this differential. Intake air is led through a series of tubes of micro walled hydroscopic material to remove moisture. The dry air is then kept at several small buffer pockets, conveniently located at the relevant zones on the body that need cooling. Sensors detect moisture level in each zone and opens valve to exchange humid air with dry air when needed. EVALUATE 3: Resilient: Strong bio based fabric made of only ONE material for easy recycling Adaptive (sensing and responding): Sensors sends feedback and the state of the design is altered to fit local conditions constantly Optimizing: Material use has been optimized (reduced overlap of scales, no mechanical/electrical pump) Life supporting: Only one material used, no electricity except for sensors, which could be power by small photo voltaic panels Values based: The design lives up to the value of making running in hot weather and rain as comfortable as a nice cool sunny day in a sustainable way. /Christian Note: During the third loop in the design spiral I discovered a material called: NIKWAX® DIRECTIONAL FABRICS on the ASKNATURE website, that is very close to what I was designing. I decided to take this as a sign, that I was headed in the right direction, rather than trying to rush in another direction, afraid to "copy" their work. I find this is often a challenge for inventors and designers. Somebody else already had most of the "cool" ideas!! CHRISTIAN AAGE LuNDSGAARD, 6/21/2015I was inspired by the wing design of several species of birds: The Cardinals, robins, swifts and brown pelicans. FIRST SPIRAL DISCOVER 1: I started out studying the wing movement of different birds on youtube and made notes. ABSTRACT 1: I described key elements of what makes this strategy work for birds (muscle structure, weight, folding wings, feathers opening up on upstroke etc.) BRAINSTORM 1: I brainstormed different needs for this strategy (small scale human transportation, robotic planes, small transport drones etc.) EMULATE 1: I sketched a few of these ideas, and also started sketching how the muscles of a wing might look in a human built aircraft Evaluate 1: I went through the LP list to guide me in the right direction. Made a few notes for the next loops. SECOND SPIRAL: Discover 2: I found a couple of detailed videos describing the bones, muscles and internal organs of flying birds. Made some notes and sketches: ABSTRACT 2 / BRAINSTORM 2 / EMULATE 2 I thought of hollow cellular 3D printed bones as the aircrafts structure, inspired by bird bones. I also took a closer look and sketches the muscles that provide the up- and downstroke movement of the wing. I also did a principal sketch for the wing muscles that connect the bones of the wing. Short muscles support the stability of the bone, longer muscle connect separate bones, and can move them in compression to each other. Finally I was inspired by how bird feathers open up to allow air passage on the upstroke, that I sketches a mechanical principal of this for my aircraft. EVALUATE 2: Briefly ran through the LP´s and made a couple of notes. THIRD SPIRAL: DISCOVER 3: Visited ASKNATURE.ORG and found the brown pelican that used the surface of the water to increase lift and reduce downwash. Also looked at how swifts alter their wing position my optimized performance in specific functions (going fast, going slow, turning, stopping etc.) ABSTRACT 3: Sum up of DISCOVER 3 BRAINSTORM 3: I brainstormed further in to details like: muscle design, how to give feedback to a control center or CPU to change wing position depending on the weather conditions and the flying function being performed. EMULATE 3: Sketches of muscle details and how muscle connect with joints (bones). I also did an overview of the energy and information flow of the craft. THE DESIGN Product: A 2-4 person lightweight plane powered by solar and pedaling passengers. Tech description: Solar panels and pedaling power a battery. Battery used to rotate propeller for part of the forward thrust. Bird wing inspired design is used to move wings up and down for uplift and steering. The muscles and bones of birds are emulated to make this possible. The bones are 3d printed lightweight fiber. The bones are printed to shape and they are cellular to save weight. The bones are the structure of the the wing. The muscles pulling on the bones are designed like long balloons. Each balloon is re-enforced with rings along its length to allow it only to expand and contract lengthwise (like a real muscle). The muscles are connected to a pneumatic system, that can pump air in or out of a muscle very fast. This makes the muscles expand and contract which then moves the wing in multiple directions. Different muscles take care of the many different wing movements. Up/down, folding the wing, spreading the wing etc. The wing is made of thin fabric louvers than form a large flat area when wing beats down, but opens up (like a birds wing) when lifting the wing up. Sensors all over the craft send information back to a CPU that through a complex algorithm helps guide air pressure to relevant muscles. EVALUATE 3:
I have only chosen a few points were the design meets life´s principles and a few that could be worked on further. Principles met: - The design is resourceful. It uses only local free energy, with whatever limitations that will entail. - The design integrates local feedback loops. The sensor transmit weather data to the CPU that sends information to the pumps to correct the wing placement for the given conditions. - The features perform multiple functions i.e. the muscles in the wings can steer the plane in any direction Principles not met: - It is not designed to be re-purposed - It does not use simple common building blocks - I am not sure the solar panels can be integrated back into nature /Christian Studying the flight of birds to inspire radical aircraft innovationsFor this BCI session I decided to stay in my own backyard. There are usually many different animals around, and today was no disappointment. I heard and studied a hummingbird, some wasps, a grey squirrel, some white butterflies a pair of cardinals and a group of robins. As most of the animals I saw were flying, I started noticing their different strategies to accomplish and master this function. The hummingbird always fascinates, with its fast beating, figure-eight-drawing wing movement, allowing it to not only fly and maneuver, but also to hover completely still while feeding on flowers. The wasps seemed to use similar techniques, so I focused my attention on the bigger birds. A couple of cardinals were crossing “my” air space every few minutes, and I noticed a pattern in their wing movement. A few hectic beats and then they fold the wings flat along the body a glide fast through the air. This is repeated until they get close to where they land. At this point they unfold their wings and glide to a stop. I am not sure if they always do this, but I saw it several times today. I started wondering about aeroplane design. It seems that most of the radical innovation in that field took place a hundred years ago. I am sure many people would disagree with this statement, but it seems to me, we developed the aircraft in the midst of the industrial revolution and fuel burning engines was a relatively easy way of getting airborne. Once we were down that path, it has not been easy to steer away from it. But maybe in the future we will have to? I have read about Paul MacCready´s bicycle-powered one person plane from the seventies (see picture below) and looking at these birds, I started wondering, that if we were to radically re-invent the aircraft today, would it still be a massive metal box with heavy jet fuel engines? Or would we use our current knowledge of energy, pollution, and global warming and think differently? Current aircraft have truly been maximized rather than optimized. Maximum range. Maximum speed. Minimum travel time. Maximum capacity. etc. What if we optimized the design to suit local needs? I often get stuck in traffic in the Chicago area, and sometimes look up to the skies at all that space! What if my family had a small lightweight, four seater, bicycle/solar - powered plane to lift us above the traffic? What if we could glide by everybody without polluting? (I am sure other would want to do the same...) I know this sounds radical. Maybe even crazy. But the birds do it so easily! Even the big heavy ones. The science of shaping the cross section of the aircraft wings to create uplift originally came from zoology. Maybe we should continue this study of bird and wing design to radically change our way of flying? And change it in a more sustainable direction. Note: MacCready is far from the only one to have succeeded in human powered flight, but we have yet to take this idea from the "Engineering Challenge Stage" to really thinking about it in terms of solving some of the issues our industrial age has created. /Christian The Pressalit Care Arm rest (or "support arm") is a product usually mounted next to a toilet to help elderly, handicapped, or injured/recovering patients get on and off the toilet. It was designed 3-4 years ago at Pressalit D&D in Denmark. I was responsible for design, engineering, sourcing and implementing i production. I did have a very skilled industrial designer and an awesome technician in the work shop to help me. The goal of the project was to balance visual/tactile design with cost and durability (cleaning and strength). The product replaced an icon of Pressalit: the hugely succesful old arm rest, designed by the founder and mastermind of Pressalit Care, Architect Hanne Rasmussen, 20 years earlier! Here is a picture of the old design: CONCLUSION
Obvously, a lot of improvements could be made to this design, when evaluating it towards Life´s Principles. Most important of these to me are the materials of the product. Aluminium is a very good example of a material that is viewed by many people in industry to be environmentally friendly, because it can be recycled, but studies have shown that it has to be recycled 20 times before the energy consumption from the virgin production is off-set! Another interesting recommendations that came out of this is to use the product and the environment in which it is installed to create a kind of community. Considering the product more as a full service (advice, installation, service, de-installation and take back) given to people when they need the product for a period of time, rather than a product to be sold and then walk away with the profit. All in all, I look forward to using these principles in my design work in the future! /Christian |