DESIGN EXPERIMENTS IN A MATERIALS SCIENCE LABORATORY

doctoral practice-based investigation at IPCB ( Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, Italy)

Metaprotocols

# ENVISIONING EXPERIMENTS

New materials with tailored porous features, thought for functions of daily use products. In particular, the material’s porosity was tuned for light filtration

# INTRUSION EXPERIMENTS

New components, selected on the basis of transfers from nature models, were added in the formulation. An interesting example of this approach was the introduction of diatomite, the fossil of a micro algae. The sample presented interesting hierarchical and porous features at the nanoscale

# PROCESS EXPERIMENTS

Metaprotocol based on interference in the process itself. The parameters were changed, such as the stirring speed and the sequence of solid components addition. The sample showed regular, controllable and repeatable stratification. The new process can be used as Structural Coloring for design applications: exploiting a deposition process, without pigments neither additives.

BIOMIMETIC_Diafanea

It is explored, through artifacts and prototypes, the relationship between Product Design and Materials Science on the topic of porosity. Starting from the analysis of the efficiency of porous structures in nature, based on hierarchical and multi-scale principles, it is experimented how morphological, functional and structural transfer of the same principles in the field of Product Design can define new possibilities and scenarios for tailored porosity. This process, in turn, stimulates new directions of scientific research and bring it closer to market demands and problems of everyday life.

Diafanea is a chandelier, a modular system of lamps arisen from the blending of traditional borosilicate glass and an experimental silica-based foam. Its is inspired to the ability of diatoms, single-celled algae, to absorb sunlight by shielding UV rays thanks to a complex hierarchical nano-porous system. The lamps can be considered as a material representation and divulgation, in the form of a product of use, of laboratory results, as well as a first step for further research and insights for LED light diffusion: the light reflects, refracts and diffuses in the porous armor expressing unprecedented optical results. Diaphanea took part, in July 2014, at Diatom-De Sciences conference-exhibition on the intersection between Design and Science, at Città della Scienza, Naples.