building bio-inspired micro production

_{Industry by Nature}   │  ₂₀₁₅

CAN I CONTROL THE FORMATION OF SALT CRYSTALS TO ADOPT DESIGNED SHAPES?

This project focused on how salt could serve as a material and ways we could apply its capability to form strong structures. By creating a flexible cotton wireframe and controlling its shape with weights, I created a foundation for the crystals to secure themselves on. The framework was suspended in a salt solution and lifted up in increments. Over time crystals formed on the wires and hardened the structure. This ability to harden flexible wireframes shaped by weights and knots allows for a great variety of forms and design freedom. My aim is to apply this technique in natural environments and use local resources to create objects.

See an object created with this technique here: SEAt

crystal formation on cotton wires in a salt solution

illustrating the process of crystal formation on wireframes

crystal formation process in a salt solution, showing development under and above water

      material: sea salt and cotton wire        /          material: sea salt, wire, and water           /        material: sea salt, cotton wire, and water

sea salt formations on cotton wireframes