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Multi-Pede Chair designed by Francis Bitonti of FADarch is an adjustable chair with no mechanical parts; the chair is designed around an Electroactive Shape Memory Polymer core. Plug the chair into a standard electrical outlet and watch its material properties transform from solid to elastic, stretch, twist and push your chair into a new configuration. Unplug and watch your new design solidify. read more
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“Envelopes” Exhibition, guest curated by Christopher Hight
Wednesday, March 3, 6 pm
Free gallery tour and preview with an informal discussion led by guest-curator Christopher Hight. Many of the participants will be on hand to answer questions.
Thursday, March 4, 6-8pm: Opening reception and the
Pratt Manhattan Gallery will present “Envelopes,” an exhibition that will explore new and sustainable potentials of the architectural surface in terms of the skin of a building and also as a sensorial space that envelops the body. “Envelopes” will feature full-scale, interactive models accompanied by architectural renderings in the form of drawings and computer animations, and documentation of the process of investigation into these models from eight international firms and designers. The exhibition will run from March 5 through May 5, 2010 and will be celebrated with an opening reception on Thursday, March 4 from 6–8 PM. The exhibition and opening reception are free and open to the public.
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There is some very interesting work coming out of Anthony Caradonna’s studio, in particular, the lighting prototypes that he is developing. The prototypes he is designing produce some interesting ambient qualities via cuts, folds, and overlap-page of material. I can see an incredible opportunity in his work with the play of material finishes in metal. We have featured his Pratt DesignTex Studio in the past, we will look to feature his studio research again in the near future. enjoy>
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Is There Anything We CAN’T Do With Carbon Nanotubes?
Cleaning up toxic spills has always been a problem. It’s hard, and it’s expensive, and you have to be thorough. But things might have just got easier: Scientists from the Peking University and Tsinghua University have created a sponge like no other. It is made of carbon nanotubes – regular carbon atoms arranged in a specific cylindrical shape – and can absorb organic pollutants from the surface of water (such as oil and solvents) up to 180x its weight (!) without absorbing water (see video below to see how light it is). And once its full of toxic liquids, the best part is that you can just wring it and start again. Via:TreeHugger
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Popularity: 6% [?]