Danny Bazo MAT200a Fall 2009. Danny Bazo | Crystalline Permutations | MAT200a Fall 2009.

Danny BazoMAT200aFall 2009

Crystalline PermutationsAt CNSI

To represent the activities and significance of the California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI) through a visualization/installation artwork.

The reorganization of matter is embodied in this site-specific art installation consisting of a nested matrix of shifting crystalline and non-crystalline structures throughout which global patterns diffuse over time.

Danny Bazo | Crystalline Permutations | MAT200a Fall 2009

Proposal:


Non-crystalline shifting grid of square panels represents reorganization of matter


Movement of grid panels driven by creation of knowledge within CNSI: UCSB journal collection is monitored by software agent that triggers change upon publication of research by CNSI affiliates.


Panels contain a nested structure of hexagonal, crystalline elements of electrochromic glass.


Electrochromic glass changes opacity from transparent to deep blue opaque when voltage is applied.


Each cell’s opacity is determined by its six nearest neighbors in the style of a cellular automaton.


The influence of a cell’s neighbors on opacity are determined by three unique rule sets. When a paper is published, the paper’s field determines which rule set becomes active over the entire wall:

Physics: any symmetrical composition of the states of nearest neighbors triggers transition to opaque (represents symmetry).

Chemistry: only neighbors to one side determine when to turn opaque (represents molecule chirality).

Biology: any two opaque neighbors trigger transition (represents cell division).


Opacity Rule Sets


Example: symmetrical neighbor states would trigger transition to opaque using the Physics rules.


Example pattern diffusing throughout wall under the physics rule set.


Example pattern after repeated application of rules and diffusion over entire wall.


Example pattern after repeated application of rules and diffusion over entire wall.

Other factors addressed by the proposed design relating to the geographical and urban location of CNSI:

The slow nature of transitions between transparent and opaque, and the lack of active lighting (e.g., projections or displays) result in decreased

interference with vehicle and air traffic. Electrochromic glass only requires power during

opacity transitions, resulting in low energy usage.


Additional Considerations

Relation to CNSI ResearchThe California Nanosystems Institute is a research facility involved in the discovery, development, and commercialization of materials and processes at the nano-scale.

This includes a diverse collection of faculty working in physical, chemical, and biological fields, primarily concerned with the reorganization of matter into useful and commercializable forms.


Crystalline StructuresThe tools and facilities in CNSI are used to interrogate organic and inorganic materials.

Methods such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and electron microscopy characterize materials in two main categories: crystalline and non-crystalline.


Crystalline StructuresCrystalline structures:Characterized by a repeating 3-D pattern of atoms/molecules/ions with fixed distances, e.g., gold.

Non-crystalline structures:Not fixed in 3-D, but may contain periodicity, e.g., proteins.


Diffusion of Knowledge


The knowledge created at CNSI is intended to diffuse throughout the local, regional, and global marketplaces in order to reaffirm California’s role as a leader in cutting edge science and technology while strengthening its economy.

Crystalline Permutationsat CNSI

Danny Bazo

References:Electrochromic glass:

http://www.glass-resource.com/sneakpeek/sample4.htmFormation of snowflakes (emergent crystals):

http://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/primer/primer.htmX-ray crystallography:

http://www.stolaf.edu/people/hansonr/mo/x-ray.htmlEmergence in visual patterns:

http://www.sallymckay.ca/oscillation/patterns.htmlDiscrete Dynamics Lab, Univ. Sussex UK:

http://www.informatics.sussex.ac.uk/users/andywu/update_dec04.htmlHexlife:

http://www.well.com/~dgb/hexlife.html

Danny Bazo MAT200a Fall 2009. Danny Bazo | Crystalline Permutations | MAT200a Fall 2009.

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