Chemical Proportions – For this topic I researched electrodes as well as odor sensors and how this technology could apply to landscape architecture. An electrode is defined as “a conductor through which electricity enters or leaves an object, substance, or region.” Although there are many different types of electrodes, only a few such as those used for determining pH etc. could apply to landscape architecture. When I sought out odor sensors, I found several types of existing sensors available now or are in the process of being developed now. Such sensors are being used to measure certain types of gas odors as well as an interesting sensor being developed for the nursing home industry to measure the odor of an incontinent person.
Java – Java “is a programming language and computing platform released by Sun Microsystems in 1995. It is the underlying technology that powers state-of-the-art programs including utilities, games, and business applications. Java runs on more than 850 million personal computers worldwide, and on billions of devices worldwide, including mobile and TV devices.” Source: http://www.java.com
Waspmote – Waspmote is a wireless controller device that was released in 2009 by Libelium. It is a low power consumption device that is solar-power capable that has the ability for three types of sensor boards (gases, events, and protyping). The boards are also capable up supporting several technologies such as GPS, GPRS, as well as SD Card and USB support. Source: http://www.libelium.com/waspmote
Solenoid – “is a three-dimensional coil. In physics, the term solenoid refers to a loop of wire, often wrapped around a metallic core, which produces a magnetic field when an electric current is passed through it.” Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solenoid
Live Within Skin is a wall system comprised of engineered layers of lightweight plant-growth medium. Designed by Greenmeme ecological designer Freya Bardell, the modular vertical garden integrates living vegetation with the built environment so that the walls can be proactively used to address issues of air quality, storm-water runoff, thermal insulation, and sound attenuation. Live Within Skin walls can serve both interior and exterior applications and may be adapted to most environmental conditions through plant species selection, integrated irrigation, and lighting. Made up of four main layers consisting of plants, outer surface, growth layers, and irrigation, the modular wall panels may be “pre-grown” or planted on site. Whenever possible, the wall units also incorporate rainwater harvesting and catchment systems. The surfaces are designed with custom screen patterns tailored to the particular plants and growing conditions specified and are fabricated using digitally controlled water-jet or laser-cutting techniques. Source: http://transmaterial.net/index.php/2009/04/18/live-within-skin/
Rachel Wingfield’s Temporal Light is a tiling system designed to illuminate public and private spaces. The system utilizes knitted electroluminescent wire cast in resin with electronics. Each tile forms a pixel that responds to a moving shadow being cast upon it, mapping a physical pathway with an inverted, illuminating shadow. Light trails linger as one moves through space, providing localized and personal illumination. Source:http://transmaterial.net/index.php/2009/09/02/temporal-light/
Quiet Revolution – London-based XCO2 has developed an elegant vertical-axis wind turbine which is virtually silent and vibration free, and therefore ideally suited to both urban sites and exposed locations. The simple and robust design (patent pending) has just one moving part, maximizing reliability and minimizing maintenance requirements. Unlike other renewable energy sources, quiet revolution is also available in a unique model capable of creating a striking visual display that is part illuminated billboard, part artwork, part renewable energy device. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) embedded in each of its three S-shaped blades fire in sequence as the blades rotate, painting a video screen that appears to hang in the air. This full color and motion image is clearly visible day and night. Source:http://transmaterial.net/index.php/2006/04/21/quiet-revolution/
