As a science student, I have a passion for art, and somehow always belived the idea that science and art are related in a close way. Well, it was slightly later that I discovered through much reading that indeed they are very closely related indeed. One cannot exist without the other.
Some pictures I seen throughout my reading. See and just enjoy the beauty of science and art, intertwined.
What do you get when you merge physics and aerodynamics to a sport that many people love, whether participating or watching? An 8 X 4 wheel drive rally car. This concept car, the Mitsubishi MMR 25 Rally Racer was one of the designs seen at the LA Design Challenge 2008. The main idea was to design and visualise the future of rally racing in 2025. This car was designed in a way that it can cruise around corners at constant velocity because all the wheels have an independent motor. The design is lightweight and uses very light composite materials. Beautiful ain't it?
Science explains that humans that hear sound, but never explained the idea that sound can be seen. A few scientists-artists developed programs that can decipher animal sounds and turn them to graphical images, or what they call "wavelets". The picture above (from AGUASONIC) is the wavelet of a bird, Cassin's Sparrow.
The picture above shows another wavelet. This time it's a wavelet of a white-beaked dolphin. This picture was "captured" by an artist-engineer Mark Fischer. Many more pictures of his captured wavelets can be found online. Go check it out.
Ever eaten almonds? This picture above shows the almond tree... I think. Almonds are tasty, and the picture of the tree above is beautiful. But do you know that damaged almond fruits will become toxic. This is because a protein in the fruit will become prussic acid, a chemical also known as hydrogen cyanide. It's highly toxic and was once used by the Nazi's as a weapon of mass killing. When diluted in water, it will form hydrocyanic acid. This gas, hydrogen cyanide, HCN, gives of a faint bitter-almond smell in the air. Only ingesting 8gm will cause death... OMG! This gas interferes with the process of cellular respiration by disabling the action of an enzyme called cytochrome c oxidase. No raw almonds please!
Ever seen washi paper. Those nice Japanese papers that normally come in white colour? Most of them are already printed as the above picture shows. What is fascinating is the durability of this paper. It was once widely used to make paper umbrellas, fusuma screens (Japanese paper screens), and even kimonos. The paper is made using the bark of the mulberry tree, though some other types of tree barks are also commonly used. The process is a long process involving soaking and softening of the bark. Then it is heated further to soften the bark, then it was sent for pulping. Soda ash, or sodium carbonate, is often added as an alkaline agent. The final processes are passing these pulps through screens to form paper sheets, based on the desired thickness. The result, long-lasting, durable paper. Origami can also be done using this paper.
Origami is an ancient art of Japanese paper folding. There are rules to origami. The first is that one must use only square piece of paper, and the second rule, is that no cutting can be done on this piece of paper. But nowadays, rectangular pieces of paper are also used to create more complicated designs. The latter rule hasn't been change. The whole meaning of origami wouldnt' be there if cutting was allowed, right? With the dawn of computers as a machine that can perform millions and possibly billions of calculation per second, complicated origami models can be created using specific programs. However, the dragon above, created by Satoshi Kamiya, 23, was folded WITHOUT using any programs whatsoever. But it did take him 40 hours of work to fold this origami wonder.
Observe the picture above. See the blue bolt of electricity? Yes, this discovery of electrical resistance has enabled beautiful patterns to form in these lucite blocks. The electricity will search it's way through the block, using the path which has the least resistance. As it travels through the plastic, the electricity will break the bonds of the plastic, releasing some electrons in the process. These free elecrons then pushes it's way through the block, and thus escaping on the other side. The result, stunning patterns formed inside the lucite block.
And finally, two eco-friendly clubs. Save the earth by dancing. This concept has lead to the opening these two clubs. The picture above shows the WATT, in Rotterdam, Holland. Please ignore the dancer. She's ain't that pretty anyways~ The WATT, uses mechanical linkages that link the dance floor to the dynamos. As the people dance, these dynamos are being charged. The electricity generated can be used to power up lights, sound system and anything electric. The WATT also recycles rainwater to flush its toliets! WOW! A good reason to go clubbing... In Holland.
Employing almost the same method as the WATT, dance power, the Surya in London, uses piezoelectricity. The floors are fitted with tiny crystals that generate electricity whenever compressed. The Surya waives its entrance fee if you entrants can show that they used eco-friendly methods to reach the club, like cycling or by public transport, etc. Dance on! Both clubs contribute to environmental groups. Who says clubbing is unhealthy?
Still think art is illogical, or science boring? Think again-lah! It's lovely~!
Toodles, for now~!
-chickenwings-
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