Auxetic Structure Lamp W/ Bio Plastic

​This is an Instructable for the course I am taking at the California State University, Long Beach, "DESN 551: Materials, Tools, and Techniques of Prototyping" taught by Behnaz Farahi. With my teammates, Austin Pao and Paul​ Hudson, we utilized an auxetic pattern to inspire a conceptual lamp.

Bio-Plastic cooking materials: a pot, food coloring, spatula, measuring cup, scale, Glycerin pills, and pure Gelatin.

Plastic sheets: Acrylic, PETG

Soldering: Soldering Iron Kit, Arduino Uno Controller, LED Ring Lights, 9V Battery

We explored auxetic pattern structures and movements through paper and polyurethane foam. Our goal was to find a pattern that interacted with light in a meaningful way. We discovered that the three pointed star pattern was the most compatible with our initial concept.

We started by measuring and laser cutting 11" x 16" white polystyrene sheets. We tried vacuum-forming the polystyrene and discovered that it didn't form well to the desired mold. Next, we tried forming the same size sheet of PETG. We applied uniform pressure with a styrofoam half dome to manually shape the desired bulges in the PETG sheet.

We obtained some LED rings and programmed them to pulse which would add the desired movement to our lamp design. We soldered the rings together in parallel and used an Arduino controller to program the pulse animation. We then tested the pulsing lights underneath the PETG sheet and polyurethane foam.

After thinking about the hardware for the lighting setup, we cut and glued a 11" x 16" x 3" wooden box to house the components and materials that would make up the finalized lamp concept.

Gathered necessary ingredients for making a Gelatin-based bio plastic from local convenience stores. Poured hot solution of Gylcerol, Gelatin, Water, and food coloring into an acrylic cast. Let bioplastic sit for 5 days before laser cutting our pattern on the material.