Crystalline Oscillations
The theme of this project is centered around pendulums. The process explores the growth of crystals around distorted structures that are formed by massive swinging weights on pendulums. The final structure was inspired by the gravitational warping of space-time, the destruction of buildings by a wrecking ball, and the shimmery quality of diamonds. Potential applications of these objects include lighting fixtures, wall texturing, windows, and architectural ceilings.
Concept Diagram
This diagram displays an array of how three different variant structures were created. The first structure is a plane, the second is a cylinder, and the third is a plane with varying gap sizes.
The general process introduces a pipe-cleaner mesh that is stabilized by twine, and then destroyed by four massive swinging weights.
Because the mesh is still flimsy and easily subject to deformation, the second stage, crystallization, solidifies the structure.
This solidification is achieved by submerging the mesh in a saturated borax solution for 12 hours. After the structure is removed, one can see that crystals have formed around the original mesh.
Material Studies
Initial test
The first test model was submerged in an oversaturated solution of borax, resulting in small, opaque, and patchy crystal sizes.
Process Refinement
This test was done on smaller rings varying from 0.5 to 2.0 centimeters. Larger, clearer crystals were formed with a lower borax concentration.
Process Documentation
Fall 2019
4.021 - How to Design (almost) Anything
Professors: Skylar Tibbits, Maroula Bacharidou
TAs: Rania Kaadan, Xiaoyun Zhang
Created with borax &pipe cleaners