Salt Research _ Microscopic Level Salt Research _ Macroscopic

from Zhicheng Yang _ Protfolio _ 2023

HALOKINESIS

Crystallization Process

We developed a mathematical approch for simulations. And tried with water and salt crystals. The seeding point is essential for it to happen. Also the self binding property of salt crystal

The simulation conducted for the multipul seed point is to understand how the crystals interact with each other when growing.

Salt Tectonic

In macroscope level, the salt cryastallization of salt tectonics. These phenomenons pressure and density changes in the

This relationship provides a fundamental direction of a structural and contextual this thesis

Macroscopic Level

cryastallization is seen in forms phenomenons are related to the earth tectonics.

fundamental insight into the contextual foundation for

Physical Tests

Time _ 3 weeks;

Spicule as Scaffold

The spicules are small skeletal elements, by fusing together they form the structure sponges. When numerous spicules are entangled with each other, they form an interlocking structure that is robust. The spocules also provide a semi-random connection, this property would lead to a system with lower intelligence therefore more reliable and couples better with the dynamic ocean envrionment

Spicule Optimization

We studied possible mutations and classifications. We separated them by number and different ends mutations to provide diverse outcomes when aggregating the rate of salt harvest was considered, we run simulations on crystallizing mutations of arms and found the most optimized one.

Spicule as Agent & Iterations

Afte physical tests on materiality, original geometry and speed of crystallization. We then start to include curtain level of intelligence into the agent. The intelligent of binding and salt harvesting lies in salt itself, so agents are equipped with the ablity of sencing the envrionment and actuator for them to move in the ocean. In this case, 4 pneumatic arms

Crystaliization

Time: 16 weeks

Time: 16 weeks number of axes aggregating them. Also crystallizing different

Physical Tests

Time _ 16weeks;

Growth _ 145%;

Crystal _ Sodium Chloride; Tank size _ 600mm × 1200mm × 400mm;

Time _ 16 weeks;

Growth _ 215%;

Crystal _ Sodium Chloride; Tank size _ 600mm × 400mm × 400mm;

Agents changes phases according to the number of neighbours.

Agents are moving towards their neighbors in their own search radius to create clusters.

Agents are equipped with salinity sensors, which enable them to be aware of this value in a certain radius and move to where its higher.

Harvest

Within the harvest stage of the cycle, we isolated behaviors of Cohesive steering, Buoyancy cauculation, and Salinity seeking Rules between agent behaviors and enverinmental datas were set for the agents to achieve the optimized harvesting formation.

System

Halokinesis relies on an Artificial Cycle coupled with natural processes, generated through necessity, and constantly responsive to environments. We identified three main stages within the cycle: Harvest, Migration, and Protection.

Migration

After harvesting, agents will migrate from high salinity locations to the coral reef area. Agents read environmental datas: depth of water and color of the sea floor, make decisions on steering and moving toward their destinations.

Agent _ 3D model

Prototyping

We built a prototype as a control system for the interactions between agents. The agent shows different stages of inflation based on the detection of its neighbour. Based on those behavior we began to prototype interaction and response. Each agent is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor for it to sense the other agents when aggregated.

Agent _ Iteration 1

Agent _ Iteration 2

Protection Agents will self-organize as an ever-changing formation that balance the salinity level temporally. We translate pressure and density in natural salt tectonic into Buoyancy and Cohesion force . With information from the neighbors and coral reefs agents would behave collectively and forming an autonomous cluster.