Studio 5

Post Presentation Review

2008-04-22T10:38:00.002-05:00

My presentation went fairly well. The main idea that cropped up repeatedly was that the portrayal of electromagnetic fields would have been more powerful if it had been done on a less obviously electrical site. This was something I looked into early on during site selection. I discuss this in my portfolio and give criteria that led me to the site I chose.
The main problem with my presentation that caused this to crop up was that I didn't manage to express properly that along with my investigation of EM Fields, I was also attempting to embrace the spectacle of electrical consumption and the infrastructure required. Looking back I still feel that with this two-fold purpose in mind i made the right site selection.

Final Model images

2008-04-21T00:00:00.001-05:00

Progress so far

2008-04-14T15:56:00.002-05:00

Bits and Pieces

2008-04-09T12:13:00.003-05:00

Here is a sample of some of the supporting components that will be going inside/around the model. These are built in the same manner as the eletrical towers for reasons of strength, simplicity, transparency, and also to provide a visual connection between the inside and outside zones.

Substrate Complete

2008-04-09T12:06:00.004-05:00

Rough expressive sketch

2008-04-03T13:18:00.001-05:00

Here's a quick and dirty conte drawing of the effect I'm looking for.

Drawings

2008-04-02T22:33:00.004-05:00

I've been working on the mechanisms that are going to be placed within my site model. I've determined the types of mechanisms required for my design and have began to place them within the model in such a way as to provide an even density within the entire volume. I transferred the hydro tower aesthetic to the interior of the building. This type of construction makes sense for what I'm building in a couple of ways: it's a strong, yet relatively transparent construction method that uses the same materials I'm already working with while also bridging the gap between inside and outside visually.
I expect to have at least a couple more mechanisms as additional relationships and requirements are stumbled upon during construction.

Where I'm at

2008-03-22T19:36:00.002-05:00

This project began with exploring my surroundings with a pickup from an electric guitar. This component when coupled with an amplifier circuit responds to magnetic fields of all types and produces sound.

When working with static magnetic fields from normal magnets movement through the field is required due to the dynamic nature of electromagnetic induction. A number of resources are available to explain how this works in detail, but basically a conductor (such as the wire coil in the pickup I was using) when exposed to a magnetic field that moves relative to it (either through moving the magnetic field or the conductor) causes a voltage to be induced in the conductor. The amount of voltage induced is dependent on the strength of the magnetic field and the speed the magnetic field crosses the conductor as well as the amount of conductor exposed. This is usually amplified by using a coil of wire as the conductor which multiplies the amount of conductor exposed to the field.

Electrical current flow causes an electromagnetic field to be produced surrounding the electrical wires and components involved. This field also causes electromagnetic induction in exposed conductors. The difference with this setup is the magnetic field is dependent on current flow.

In Direct Current (DC) circuits the field can be created and destroyed by turning the current on or off. This creation and destruction of the field causes it to expand and contract which can induce voltage in a conductor without the need for movement of either component.

In Alternating Current (AC) circuits the constantly changing polarity causes a very dynamic electromagnetic field that is continually cycling at the AC system’s 60 Hz (60 cycles per second) frequency. This active electromagnetic field induces a steady and consistent frequency signal in exposed conductors. While the frequency is constant, the voltage level in the conductor is dependent on the the amount of conductor windings in the field and the strength of field it is exposed to (which is in turn dependent on the number of electromagnetic field sources and their proximity to the conductor).

The exploration of my environment began by walking around my immediate surroundings with the pickup and checking obviously electrical components to see the strength of electromagnetic fields.

Electrical wires and outlets produced a relatively small electromagnetic field while devices such as motors, monitors and computers created a larger field. While it was expected that I would find a significant electromagnetic field presence inside our well-wired buildings it was my outdoor explorations that provided the most surprises.

Power lines and transformer stations such as the one at Annabella St. at the Red River produce large fields that reach well beyond the physical dimensions of the structures that contain/support these electrical components.

In my consequential research i came across the work of Richard Box who planted hundreds of fluorescent tubes beneath a set of power lines. During periods of high electrical consumption such as at night the mercury vapour in the tubes becomes excited by the electromagnetic field located beneath the high voltage lines and causes the phosphor to fluoresce, providing a visual interpretation of the phenomena surrounding it.

Following this discovery I set out to replicate this experiment. I set up a transformer which when triggered would produced high voltage pulses of electricity. I managed to reach in the neighbourhood of 100,000 volts which jumped an air gap of an inch and a half. Using a compass to give me an indication of the magnetic field present I was able to find that the transformer when in operation had an electromagnetic field with a radius of approximately 8-10 inches. I placed a compact fluorescent bulb (still not electrically connected) an inch from the transformer and was able to see it flicker in unison with the transformer’s operation. This gave me a visual medium for expressing the electromagnetic field.

These fields are very much a part of our physical environment; a fact which is largely overlooked as it is not a presence that we are naturally equipped to sense. We require interpretation into a form our senses can register. My investigations up till this point have been to provide audible and visual cues to indicate the presence of these fields.

Next I will have to find a way to use this interpreted sensorial data to create an architectural project.

Contenders; Tale of the tape

2008-03-20T13:38:00.002-05:00

I've been considering the elements I've been working with in a few different ways to figure out how best to use them.

Relative size (area) of influence:
EMF < Motion < Light < Sound

Relative expressive potential (area of observability):
EMF < Light < Motion < Sound

Making all that power useful

2008-03-18T11:53:00.000-05:00

I've managed to figure out how to (mis)use a relatively cheap product that converts an analogue signal to a high amperage capable square wave digital trigger. This will bridge the gap allowing various devices (such as mics) to be used as inputs to trigger the high voltage environment I've been building.

Success, kinda

2008-03-15T21:11:00.004-05:00

I switched to a larger capacity battery so I could more completely saturate the transformer coils. This has allowed me to more than double the air gap the electricity is able to bridge. The measurement device I've been using doesn't read past 35,000 Volts so I have no idea what voltage I've managed to attain.

This is a gap of about 1-1/2 inches.
With this level of voltage I now have a strong enough Electromagnetic field that I can light up a compact fluorescent bulb with the induced voltage alone. It lights up dimly which is where my main problem stems from. In order to use this powering of the bulb for presentation I need to have a completely dark area for it to be noticable. This may not be the most effective means of showing what I'm looking at.

Here volty volty...

2008-03-13T15:10:00.007-05:00

Tweaking the switching system and using a different coil I managed to reach 25,000 Volts. I followed that up with installing a condenser (capacitor used to control counter EMF when the coil field collapses) which raised it up to around 35,000 Volts.
I'm now going to work towards testing if this is enough voltage to create a strong enough Electromagnetic Field to do some work.

Moving Forward

2008-03-11T11:52:00.004-05:00

It's become clear that time is running short and that I will have to set my sights on a goal very soon.
Currently I'm trying to build a device that will give me high enough voltage that the surrounding Electromagnetic Field will be strong enough to perform some form of work (eg. powering a light, operating a switch or relay, etc.). If I'm unable to attain high voltage levels safely then I will need to refocus on what I can do with the amount of voltage I have to work with- Sound.

Abstract

2008-03-02T14:10:00.005-06:00

My goals for the last two months are to rekindle the spectacle of electricity while awakening new understanding of the less tangible aspects of electrical consumption. This combination of exhuming lost appreciation while also unearthing new information and understanding should create an engaging exploration of the electrical presence that surrounds us.
The main mechanism for investigation will be to explore electromagnetic fields and use sound and light projection to express this normally unobserved presence.

Using Magnetic fields

2008-02-28T08:01:00.005-06:00

I've managed to find an example of someone using the magnetic fields beneath power lines:

Richard Box planted 1301 fluorescent tubes that are not physically hooked up to anything- powered only by the EMF from the overhead lines.
Mre info:
http://www.richardbox.com

Model

2008-02-26T10:35:00.004-06:00

I managed to get the majority of my pieces cut by the laser cutter before the plug was pulled- the benefit of being prepared early I guess.
My site model is nearly complete so it's time to get my installation all figured out.
I plan to portray the forgotten aspects of of electrical infrastructure through projection.
The phases I'm going to portray (bad electrical pun- accidental I swear) are:
-Generation
-Alteration (transforming)
-Monitoring, Correcting
-Transfer

The modes of display are light, audio, and physical projection (shadows, sounds, and components breaking out of the buildings interior space)

Pieces and pieces and pieces

2008-02-07T15:52:00.003-06:00

Scale Issues

2008-02-07T13:31:00.002-06:00

I've been looking at breaking my model up into pieces to be cut on the laser cutter. The scale I've been looking at up until now is going to cause a lot of extra joints in assembly. In order to make this model with a reasonable amount of joints (and resultant- a reasonable amount of rigidity)- is to make it @ 1/4": 1' scale (or 1:48).

AutoCAD Drawings

2008-02-05T22:02:00.002-06:00

Here's a look at what i've been doing:

A forgotten spectacle

2008-01-29T14:35:00.001-06:00

Power supply stations were, not that long ago, once considered spectacular. Consider the World's Columbian Exposition 1893 in Chicago. The Tesla and Westinghouse collaboration that provided electrical lighting for the fair was the highlight for many attendees and the powerhouse itself was an exhibit.

Now we have such buildings all over the place and no one cares.

Annabella

2008-01-29T12:09:00.000-06:00

Annabella (or at least a portion of it) is going to be my site.

Site Resolution

2008-01-27T10:36:00.000-06:00

After some discussion tomorrow I should be able to declare which site I'm going with.

Half a step back

2008-01-25T09:53:00.000-06:00

I think I need to take a bit of a step back to gain a little perspective. I've been looking at sites and I'm starting to think that I may have lost site of what I'm looking for and why.
This may clear itself up when I pick up the digital recorder I'm renting and get audio recordings.
I also plan to build an induced voltage sensor from a toothbrush to see what kind of readings I can pick up from items on site.

Site (Round 3)

2008-01-24T22:26:00.001-06:00

I saw this site from a distance yesterday and it intrigued me. I got back to it today for pictures.

-Image taken from Disraeli Bridge.

Some detail images.

Site- (Round 2)

2008-01-23T07:58:00.002-06:00

The Electrical station at Pacific and Lily seems to fit the criteria of what I need in a site.

Site???

2008-01-18T10:04:00.000-06:00

I have an idea for a site.
Background first:
- I was looking at high density areas as per previous input
- My investigation of the electrical in my home made me think of using an old derelict building to retrofit towards modernizing electrically (and likely parasitically).

I have a building I would like to use:

The Gray's Auction Bldg on King.

Magnetic EMF

2008-01-18T09:08:00.001-06:00

I've been looking more into magnetic fields and the forms they create since our last discussion.
I've also been tracing the layout of the electrical system in my house to look at implementation. My house is proving to be particularly interesting due to its age. It was built in 1924 so it had limited electrical for many years. The electrical in it can be seen as a series of additions built on top of each other.
Here are some images I pulled off the internet indicative of the kinds of things I've been investigating.

Site Selection

2008-01-13T15:08:00.000-06:00

I believe I've found a site that meets the criteria required by my project (namely light, movement, a place to be observed/interacted with)

All done for the term

2007-12-17T17:41:00.000-06:00

I took some video of individual monsters today. The disk i handed in with my portfolio has more videos- which are of higher quality than Blogger supports. Here's a few of them for ease of access.

The Inline Eight rotation to reciprocation convertor:

The round peg in the square hole:

The Floor Scraper

End of term display

2007-12-16T11:15:00.001-06:00

Here are some images from my project's final display:

Aftermath

2007-12-14T22:23:00.000-06:00

Here's a quick video I took with my digital camera. Better quality video to be included in portfolio.

Another one down

2007-12-10T11:19:00.001-06:00

I lost another AC motor today. Of three AC motors I've used, two have already failed. I'm going to have to focus more on my DC motors and fans if I'm to have any acceptable level of reliability. Due to their low power this will require additional focus on gear ratios and other forms of mechanical advantage.

Newest addition to the family

2007-12-10T09:32:00.000-06:00

This one moves laterally along the horizontal wire. Momentary touch switches are gong to be added to either side in order to change direction once the end is reached. I may leave taking care of direction switching to other monsters instead. This is something that will be finalized on final monster grouping composition.

Visualizing

2007-12-06T13:14:00.000-06:00

I've been working abstractly in 3D rendering to play with ideas of shadow interaction and the spatial flattening that occurs in the transition from 3D volume to 2D plane. This will allow me to work more efficiently tomorrow once I start hanging machines. Here's a couple images of one of the situations I've been exploring.

Setting up

2007-12-02T10:06:00.000-06:00

The jury room is finally being cleared out of the last of the concrete projects. I have reserved myself a spot and will begin setting up tomorrow. It will be nice to have space to work in for a change.

Drawings

2007-11-26T00:24:00.001-06:00

Here's the images for my two built items.
The rotating sound controller:

And the Scraper

Both images come from analyzing video of the item in question and pulling out the core movement involved.

Shadows and (in) Motion

2007-11-25T11:32:00.001-06:00

Here's a B&W collage image of the shadow projection of my rotating machine. This image is the result of combining the shadows produced while in operation. The band where the light sensors get placed is clearly shown as it is the only area with any effective amount of shadowing.

Responding

2007-11-19T11:17:00.000-06:00

In response to the questions presented to us on Friday by Patrick.
What does my machine do?
Simply put it vocalizes visual inputs.
What is it about?
The rhythm of movement.
What is its purpose?
Synaesthetia.
What is its site?
Pretty much anywhere people move.

So far, so good

2007-11-08T00:12:00.000-06:00

I've managed to get the "movement" portion of my project functionally complete, now all I need is to rig up my screen and get the light controlled circuits nailed down.
Here's a couple videos showing the items in question.

Schematic

2007-11-01T23:16:00.001-05:00

Here's a quick plan view schematic of the kind of thing I'm working towards.

Movement

2007-10-30T13:37:00.000-05:00

After a little careful redirection, movement of my components has now become a part of my project as well as audio and shadow projections. I've been playing a little with movements and changing relationships between the electric motors and the guitar pickups that are generating noise from the produced electromagnetic fields. Here is a quick video of one of them.

Light Controlled Noise in action

2007-10-28T20:08:00.000-05:00

Here's a video of the circuit in action. Unfortunately there was sandblasting going on outside our window so the audio isn't what I would like it to be. The operation can be heard though.

Light Controlled Noise Circuit

2007-10-25T13:32:00.001-05:00

Here's a pic of the circuit I described a few posts ago.

Filling in the blanks

2007-10-25T08:28:00.000-05:00

Here are a few images of a couple of my de-monsters that I neglected to post here earlier.

Recording the presence of movement in a space in a paper loop:

Not yet shown is the motion sensor/ AC motor contraption that made the above circuit reactive. Will edit for its addition soon.

Creating reciprocating movement by changing the voltage applied to a fan:

Light Controlled Noise

2007-10-23T13:23:00.000-05:00

My work this past few days has entailed trying to refine the way my pick-ups react to movement. My initial attempts with the motion sensor and the ignition coil provide an auditory cue whenever someone was present, but it was a bit of a Rube Goldberg machine. It required more steps than was necessary to complete the task. Another major failing was that the nature of the noise was exactly the same regardless of the size and speed of what caused the movement.
Addressing these issues I have designed a new setup. It involves an array of photo-transistors attached to an array of Darlington transistors. The photo-transistors are used to trigger the Darlington transistors when they are exposed to light. The Darlington transistors then provide a ground for a DC electric motor- turning it on. The way I am able to differentiate one photo-transistor's input from another is by where in the circuit a ground is applied. The motor is attached to a circuit which is normally open and has a number of resistors (the same amount as the number of photo-transistors minus one) hooked up in series on the ground side of the DC motor. The grounds from each photo/Darlington transistor pairing are applied in different places between these resistors along the circuit. This causes a different amount of resistance to be present between the DC motor and ground depending on which pairing has light, and as such, a different speed is achieved by the motor. This speed difference isn't very obvious visually, but the sound difference from the motor is- especially when the electromagnetic field is picked up by the guitar pickups and amplified.
This development achieved much of what I set out to accomplish, but was still not exactly what i was looking for. The lacking, I felt, was in the way this can be used to respond to movement- especially that of people. When we move around, we don't create light wherever we go- But, we DO create shadows. This caused me to redesign my previous circuit so that when light is received by the photo-transistors power is transferred through to the ground side circuit of the DC motor. This stops the motor when light is present due to the equivalence in voltage on either side of the motor. Once a person moves through the space, they block the light to one or more sensors, causing the transistor pairing to close, and remove the power from the ground side of the DC motor- which in turn allows it to operate. This method requires special attention to dropping of voltages over resistors and the prevention of shorted circuits. The benefits are worth it though as less components are required compared to other solutions. For example, an array of relays could be used to do the same task with a little less hassle, but more cost and unnecessary complexity.

Information sources

2007-10-05T09:42:00.000-05:00

In an effort to locate the sources for a lot of the knowledge I've been relying on so far in my experimenting I had to go back to my old text books. Here are a couple of pages from "Physics For Career Advancement" 5th edition by Ewen, Nelson, and Schurter:

The pick-ups are, well, picking up

2007-10-04T08:31:00.000-05:00

With the understanding that the guitar pick-ups are activated by changes in their magnetic field and the creation of a magnetic field around a flowing electrical current it is not surprising that the guitar pickups create noise (when paired with an amp of course) when adjacent to any operating electrical component. This includes wiring. The catch is that having voltage present alone isn't enough, there needs to be a complete circuit that is operating in order to create a response.

Electric Guitar wiring diagram and specs

2007-10-03T19:53:00.000-05:00

Here's some guitar specific info:

Electromagnetic Induction Research

2007-10-03T19:51:00.000-05:00

Here's a quick look at what I've been finding- This version is lifted directly from the website:

http://www.rare-earth-magnets.com/magnet_university/history_of_magnetism.htm

1820 - Electromagnetism, Current

In 1820, a physicist Hans Christian Oersted, learned that a current flowing through a wire would move a compass needle placed beside it. This showed that an electric current produced a magnetic field.

Andre Marie Ampere, a French mathematician who devoted himself to the study of electricity and magnetism, was the first to explain the electro-dynamic theory. He showed that two parallel wires, carrying current, attracted each other if the currents flowed in the same direction and opposed each other if the currents flowed in opposite directions. He formulated in mathematical terms, the laws that govern the interaction of currents with magnetic fields in a circuit and as a result of this the unit of electric current, the amp, was derived from his name. An electric charge in motion is called electric current. The strength of a current is the amount of charge passing a given point per second, or I = Q/t, where Q coulombs of charge passing in t seconds. The unit for measuring current is the ampere or amp, where 1 amp = 1 coulomb/sec. Because it is the source of magnetism as well, current is the link between electricity and magnetism.

1830 - Inductance

In 1830, Joseph Henry (1797-1878), discovered that a change in magnetism can make currents flow, but he failed to publish this. In 1832 he described self-inductance - the basic property of inductor. In recognition of his work, inductance is measured in henries. The stage was then set for the encompassing electromagnetic theory of James Clerk Maxwell. The variation of actual currents is enormous. A modern electrometer can detect currents as low as 1/100,000,000,000,000,000 amp, which is a mere 63 electrons per second. The current in a nerve impulse is approximately 1/100,000 amp; a 100-watt light bulb carries 1 amp; a lightning bolt peaks at about 20,000 amps; and a 1,200-megawatt nuclear power plant can deliver 10,000,000 amps at 115 V.

1855 - Electromagnetic Induction

Michael Faraday (1791-1867) an Englishman, made one of the most significant discoveries in the history of electricity: Electromagnetic induction. His pioneering work dealt with how electric currents work. Many inventions would come from his experiments, but they would come fifty to one hundred years later. Failures never discouraged Faraday. He would say; "the failures are just as important as the successes." He felt failures also teach. The farad, the unit of capacitance is named in the honor of Michael Faraday.

Faraday was greatly interested in the invention of the electromagnet, but his brilliant mind took earlier experiments still further. If electricity could produce magnetism, why couldn't magnetism produce electricity. In 1831, Faraday found the solution. Electricity could be produced through magnetism by motion. He discovered that when a magnet was moved inside a coil of copper wire, a tiny electric current flows through the wire. H.C. Oersted, in 1820, demonstrated that electric currents produce a magnetic field. Faraday noted this and in 1821, he experimented on the theory that, if electric currents in a wire can produce magnetic fields, then magnetic fields should produce electricity. By 1831, he was able to prove this and through his experiment, was able to explain, that these magnetic fields were lines of force. These lines of force would cause a current to flow in a coil of wire, when the coil is rotated between the poles of a magnet. This action then shows that the coils of wire being cut by lines of magnetic force, in some strange way, produces electricity. These experiments, convincingly demonstrated the discovery of electromagnetic induction in the production of electric current, by a change in magnetic intensity.

1880-

James Maxwell (1831-1879) a Scottish mathematician translated Faraday's theories into mathematical expressions. Maxwell was one of the finest mathematicians in history. A maxwell is the electromagnetic unit of magnetic flux, named in his honor. Today he is widely regarded as secondary only to Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein in the world of science.

Maybe not so gentle after all

2007-09-27T10:17:00.001-05:00

Sorry Mr. Roboto

Moving on

2007-09-27T08:17:00.000-05:00

I've decided to look at the guitar as two complementary, yet separate, systems.
There is the string mounting system that holds the strings in tension with adjustments to allow for tension and height (above pickups/frets) to be easily changed.
The second system is the electrical system involving the pickups, corresponding switches and "Tone" controls as well as the "Volume" control and cable connection.
There is no physical connection between the two systems yet they work in unison to provide the functionality of a guitar.
My interest in this item, moving forward, is to disregard the strings and see how else I can use the pick-ups to make noise through an amp.

For now though, I believe I am supposed to be disassembling a different item. C'mon over little robot friend, I'll be gentle.

Vivisection Images

2007-09-24T08:14:00.000-05:00

Here's a couple picturesfrom my vivisection this weekend.

Inducing Voltage

2007-09-23T14:36:00.000-05:00

The underlying principles of an electric guitar are simple. Voltage is induced through the alteration of a magnetic field within which is found a coil of wire. All of this occurs within the pick-ups and is caused by the moving (vibrating, etc.) strings.

The most beneficial aspect of this operation for my purposes is that it requires no electrical power to work. The signal is generated through the conversion of physical movement to an AC Voltage.

Basic voltage induction theory will tell you that anytime a conductor gets exposed to a moving magnetic field a voltage will be induced.
The common ways to create a moving magnetic field are:
-Moving a magnet (shocking, i know)
-Expanding or collapsing a magnetic field (electromagnets need only apply for this one)
-or (as an electric guitar does through the use of metal strings) The movement of another conductor within the field.

The voltage created is a very weak Alternating Current. It is made stronger in this application by using a coil of wire so that the magnetic field has more wire in which to induce voltage. The amplifier that guitars are plugged into are required to -as one would guess- amplify the still rather weak current provided by the guitar and use it to drive speakers.

Creating Autonomous Mechanical Creatures

2007-09-21T11:54:00.000-05:00

Here's something I found:

I found it here: http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/162

The difficulty in drawing an Icon

2007-09-21T10:26:00.000-05:00

My art skills have never been especially strong, but they've always got me by. The task I find before me is proving to be far more difficult than I had expected. Drawing a Fender Stratocaster should be easy- but- EVERYONE knows what it is supposed to look like. It has an Iconic form and presence in North America (and elsewhere I imagine). Its shape is known to even the least musical, and any mistakes I make in representing this shape on paper will be immediately evident to anyone. Oh well.

Items Finalized

2007-09-19T20:48:00.000-05:00

The record player has finally been obtained and I managed to talk my brother out of his old electric guitar. I've always wondered exactly how both of these items work- now I'll have an excuse to find out

Updated Items list

2007-09-19T06:53:00.000-05:00

I recovered from surgery nicely- although I am stuck wearing a white plastic splint till Monday. I think the worst part was likely the anesthetic hangover.
So back to business it is. The record player has become an issue, but I still hope to have one by the end of the day. Also added to the list is a motion sensor light.

First Vivisection of the year

2007-09-12T22:44:00.001-05:00

I was involved in my first vivisection of the year earlier today. Unfortunately I was the vivisectee. I had septorhinoplasty this morning to straighten out my nose and its inner workings so I can breathe.

First Items acquired!!

2007-09-12T06:49:00.000-05:00

So far I've managed to get my hands on:
- A remote control robot
- A child's music/learning station
- An old record player (my favorite so far)