Dr. Simon Poppinga (Plant Biomechanics Group, University of Freiburg)
“How plants move, and how the motion principles can inspire new technologies”
From very slow growth processes to ultrafast spore cannons: plant motion speed spans at least seven orders of magnitude, and the diversity of motions and of the principles of actuation has fascinated scientists as well as engineers for centuries. I will briefly explain how plants can generate movement, and how the underlying principles can be used for biomimetic technical applications. Examples to be described in detail are: the slow hygroscopic motions of false indusia in ferns and of pine cones; the fast snap trap action in the carnivorous Venus flytrap and of the catapult-flypaper trap in sundews; the ultrafast prey capture via suction in bladderworts and by snapping in the waterwheel plant; as well as the ultrafast spore catapults in ferns. By presenting several cases of highly specialized pollination mechanisms I will also show how completely passive yet complex motion can be achieved, which is free of metabolic ‘costs’ (in terms of energy). Attendees will get up-to-date insights into current research projects concerning the physics of plant motion, its abstraction and technical implementation.
Monday, September 26 at 2 pm in room 104 Wurster Hall
(please note the different room and I kindly ask you to be on time)
Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jesse Louis-Rosenberg ( Nervous System)
Jessica and Jesse will discuss Nervous System’s unique approach to product design through generative techniques, 3d-printing and interactivity. Along the way, they will take several detours into the realms of natural pattern formation, simulation, and biology. The talk will focus on some of Nervous System’s latest projects including a 4D printing technique that creates complex, foldable forms for 3D printing and an exploration into the morphogenesis of plants.
Nervous System was founded in 2007 by Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jesse Louis-Rosenberg. Jessica currently acts as Creative Director and Jesse as Chief Science Officer. Together they lead a team of four.
Jessica Rosenkrantz graduated from MIT in 2005 and holds degrees in Architecture and Biology. Afterwards, she studied architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Jesse Louis-Rosenberg also attended MIT, majoring in Mathematics. He previously worked as a consultant for Gehry Technologies in building modeling and design automation.
Today our Studio One class at UC Berkeley will have visiting scholar Andrei Nejur giving a lecture and tutorial session about his amazing Ivy-plugin for Rhino. We are looking forward to learning more about the new features of the latest version.
10/11 Wurster Hall, rm170, 2-3:30pm
Event is open to public. Stop by if you are around.
This Thursday, October 13, we will have the engineer Valentin Koslowski (University of Stuttgart, ITKE) and the architect Julia Koerner (UCLA) giving a lecture on “Design strategies for composite building structures”. If you are in the area, please feel free to stop by or to share this information with your friends, and colleagues.
GUEST LECTURE: VALENTIN KOSLOWSKI & JULIA KOERNER
THURSDAY, 10/13/16 2:00PM – 3:30PM
170 WURSTER HALL
LECTURE TITLE: Design strategies for composite building structures.
Valentin Koslowski, is a Research Associate and Doctoral Candidate at the ITKE Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design at the University of Stuttgart. He studied Civil Engineering at the University of Applied Sciences in Biberach, did a structural engineering internship at Schlaich Bergermann and Partner in 2008 and graduated as B.Eng. in 2011. Before he specialized in structural mechanics during his M.Sc. at the Technical University of Munich he worked at Knippers Helbig Advanced Engineering and joined the ITKE in 2014.
Valentin’s research is on the engineering and simulation of irregular composite grid shell like structures and load path adapted fiber layups as building structures. Considering anisotropic material behavior and curved shapes to achieve a lightweight construction with a material consistent design detailing approach that allows to place material where it is needed for the load bearing behavior and the insertion of voids in between.
Valentin worked in interdisciplinary teams with architects and biologists on internationally published and built projects and gave invited lectures in Europe and USA.
Julia Körner is an award-winning designer working at the convergence of architecture, product and fashion design – specialised in additive manufacturing and robotic technology. Her work stands out, recognised today at the top level of these disciplines, where it has been featured in the National Geographic Magazine, at the Venice Biennale, Paris Haute Couture and institutions such as the FRAC Centre in Orleans, the Art Institute of Chicago, the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and the Metropolitain Museum of Art in New York to name a few. The constantly intriguing aspect of Julia’s work is the embodiment of a beautiful organic aesthetic.
Born in Salzburg, Austria; Julia received master degrees in Architecture from the University of Applied Arts, Vienna (with distinction) and the Architectural Association, London. She is currently based between Los Angeles and Salzburg and has previously practiced in London and New York.
Julia is founder of JK Design GmbH, specialising in digital design for 3D-Printing. Her recent collaborations involved 3D-Printed fashion pieces developed with Haute Couture Houses for Paris Fashion weeks. In 2015, Julia launched an entirely 3D-Printed ready-to-wear collection entitled ‘sporophyte’.
Julia is faculty at UCLA Architecture and Urban Design Department since 2012; She has held previous academic appointments at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, Lund University in Sweden and the Architectural Association Visiting School in France and Jordan.
Comments are closed.