We hit a milestone today as we have completed 120 element forms representing temperature, nutrients and PH of our oceans. We’ve also completed 70 of our 85 diatoms forms. All these forms are made from either Pine Resin or PLA 3D print filament. Both are industrially compostable materials that decompose at high temperatures. It was[…]
After a lot of hard work this quarter, we’ve finished prototype #2 of the Oceanic Scales system. This “wall unit” is made of local / sustainably sourced bamboo plywood, incrusted with PLA 3D printed and pine resin cast “Machinic Diatoms” and water molecule forms. When no one interacts with the system it slips into an[…]
As a series of experiments for possible components of Oceanic Scales, these forms have evolved into projects of their own. They are made of natural and biodegradeable materials such as locally milled bamboo plywood. Their images are captured from sources as far ranging as maps of the ocean floor to microscopy photographs of diatom surfaces to magnifications of the[…]
As a series of experiments for possible components of Oceanic Scales, these forms have evolved into projects of their own. They are made of natural and biodegradeable materials such as silk and locally harvested kelp. Their formsare inspired by the endless geometries of ocean phytoplankton such as diatoms, dinoflaggelates and coccoliths.
In an effort to understand and collaborate with Phytoplankton I’ve started a Bioluminescent phytoplankton garden / lab as a spur project of Oceanic Scales. I am currently growing three varieties of Phytoplankton which were purchased from a local culture lab Empco in an attempt to learn more about this amazing organism and to discover new ways[…]
This gallery of images is pure inspiration when dreaming of modular structures and sculptural forms. Enjoy.
Here are a couple of great resources for research going on at UCSC in the realm of phytoplankton other microorganisms: http://oceandatacenter.ucsc.edu/home/oceandatacenter.html http://oceandatacenter.ucsc.edu/home/spotlight%20home.html http://oceandatacenter.ucsc.edu/home/spotlight_microscopy.html http://oceandatacenter.ucsc.edu/home/research.html And some weekly phytoplankton sampling in the Monterey Bay: http://oceandatacenter.ucsc.edu/PhytoBlog/
Little did I know that the bio-luminescent phytoplankton known as Dinoflaggellates are actually predators and eat other phytoplankton. While the rest are busy sequestering carbon and producing oxygen, these ones are hunting their own. http://www.mnh.si.edu/highlight/sem/dinoflagellates.html http://oceandatacenter.ucsc.edu/PhytoGallery/Dinoflagellates/lingulodinium.html
Here are a few resources on red tides and the “first flush” phenomenon. Both the result of an over-abundance of phytoplankton, often caused by man-made fertilizers and waste. http://www.lifesci.ucsb.edu/~biolum/organism/redtide.html http://deepseanews.com/2011/09/the-san-diego-red-tide-faq-from-scripps-professor-dr-peter-franks/ http://www.csgc.ucsd.edu/NEWSROOM/NEWSRELEASES/2010/PredictAlgalBlooms.html http://oceandatacenter.ucsc.edu/home/firstflush.html http://oceandatacenter.ucsc.edu/PhytoGallery/HABS_redtides.html http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/technology/2011/09/red-tide-off-california-coast-creates-blue-glow/
http://www.whoi.edu/home/about/annualreport03/research/highlights_picoplankton.html
A great image of scale when it comes to the wide variety of phytoplankton: http://www.jochemnet.de/fiu/bot4404/BOT4404_8.html
A great article on the key role that phytoplankton plays at the bottom of the oceanic food chain: http://discovermagazine.com/2004/aug/plankton-planet#.UWuhTIKTG3x Another great article on the adaptability of phytoplankton: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/03/130308133057.htm A massive archive of phytoplankton videos not to be missed: http://www.planktonchronicles.org/en
Another amazing resource at UCSC for research on the microorganisms and their key role in maintaining the planets “Nitrogen Cycle”: http://pmc.ucsc.edu/~wwwzehr/research/activities/ http://pmc.ucsc.edu/~wwwzehr/research/
Ernst Haeckel is a true and constant source of inspiration, in everything and anything relating to the sea, microorganisms, 19th century naturalism or wonderfully blurred lines between science and art. Proteus: a very unique looking documentary on Ernst Haeckel More images & Info: http://www.kuriositas.com/2012/01/art-forms-of-nature-ernst-haeckel.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Haeckel http://abilliontastesandtunes.blogspot.com/2011/05/ernst-haeckel-part-1-of-2.html
Here’s a couple of links to some great projects at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, that allow visitors to interact with digital jellyfish, through a foot pump interface: http://www.lindsaydigital.com/2012/03/31/mbaq_jellies/ And another amazing touch screen interface for exploring the world of Phytoplankton: http://vimeo.com/36418701#
It’s pretty amazing to have this incredible research institute right here in our back yard in Moss Landing. It’s even more amazing to get to collaborate with Steve Haddock as an advisor on the project. Here are some links to some great resources on their website: http://www.mbari.org/ http://www.mbari.org/news/homepage/2013/ecohab/ecohab.html http://www.mbari.org/expeditions/Bioluminescence2012/index.htm http://www.mbari.org/news/homepage/2013/gene-synchrony/gene-synchrony.html http://www.mbari.org/phyto-genome/research.htm http://www.mbari.org/news/homepage/2013/gene-synchrony/gene-synchrony.html
The Jaffe labratory for underwater imaging at UCSD is an amazing source of innovation and education in the realms of Phytoplankton imaging and marine biology. Their new plankton camera that can be taken out into the open sea’s is incredible. Check out the video below or their website for more info. http://jaffeweb.ucsd.edu/
