Design, meet Science.

On a visit to the RISD Nature Lab the studio took samples of the agricultural bi-products under the microscope. After a quick refresher on 10th grade biology, the studio examined the inherent structures and characteristics of the plants we are working with on a microscopic level. Though we have been working with the materials for a few weeks, making samples and testing their properties, once we got a closer look there were a few exciting surprises. The rice hull, the hard protecting covering of the grains of rice which look smooth to the naked eye, have a fine cross hatch pattern and texture. It also has a high content of silica that contributes to its shiny appearance. The sugar cane bagasse, a fiberous mulch left over after the sugar cane is crushed to extract the juice, under the microscope revealed that there is still plenty of sugar residue and looks as though it is crystalized. The sugar cane wastes, the tops of the sugar cane which are cut off from the stalk and discarded from production, when cut in section reveal its layered structure of an exterior epidermis, interior layer of fibers and a soft woody center of phellem. These discoveries are leading the studio in questioning how we are working with these materials and how much more there is still to learn.

Sugar Cane Waste_Section

Sugar Cane Bagasse

Rice Straw Hull