1. The Plastisphere: A new synthetic ecosystem??

Amidst researching on anything and everything relating to marine plastic pollution, I came across something that caught my eye.

What is the Plastisphere?

The plastisphere is a term coined in by scientists to describe a new synthetic ecosystem evolving at seaas a result of the amount of microplastics that has become entagled with the environment.

Although man-made debris have been entering our oceans for a long time, microplastics now dominate marine debris in quantity. This complex microbial community are made up of algae, plant forms and bacteria that fall under four categories: bacteria that produce their own food (phototrophs), the organisms that feed on them (heterotrophs), organisms that feed on decayed matter (saprotrophs), and predators that feed on them. The influence of this new ecological habitat in the ocean is still poorly understood and raises a myriad of questions regarding its impact; such as its role in degrading plastics or the potential of these microbes becoming an invasive species as it moves around with the debris at sea. The discovery highlights the fact that plastic has morphed our environment, to the point where animals are forced to adapt to the effect of our plastic habits. As the world’s 2nd biggest contributor to marine plastic pollution, Indonesia is at the epicentre of the issue.

I found this discovery both interesting yet heart breaking at the same time, realizing the fact that the impact of human plastic habits have forced animals to adapt to it. It makes me think about how the problem might escalate in the future if nothing is to be done. With plastic everywhere now, it could also be said that all of us are living within the plastisphere.

2. Trial

Sketch of the artefact

Based on this plastisphere concept, I got started to try and craft the artefacts. For the first one, I chose the Bryozoan microbe to mimic. The artefact is made with plastic fabric. The sketch shows how I plan for how the wiring is going to be hidden inside the artefact, except the laptop which plays the sound.

Feedback from Andreas

Graduation Project Feedback: User testing can wait after the artefacts Keep productive If want to send dissertation before week 6, finish until conclusion & further research in bullet points. Sound (Laptop) Artefact 1 — Sound Make the whole thing ( Wires + Plastic ) Collect more sound Wiring Artefact 2 — Light (Red power, black ground, grey signal) Try addressable LED? Find code & connect everything Decide the “behaviour”? Make artefact Artefact 3 — Movement DC motor Artefact 4 — Touch Conductive paint Black only… so maybe use kresek item aja? Light (Addressable LED) Touch (Conductive paint, copper wire) Movement (DC motor) Smell (For later)

3. Experimenting with addressable LEDs

To kick-start in crafting the second artefact, I wanted to do some explorations with addressable LEDs. Andreas had lent me a strip to experiment with. The current goal is to make the LEDs interface with the ultrasonic sensor and react to it based on certain inputs. In the code below, I made the number of lights on the addressable LEDs change color depending on the proximity of an object to the sensor. The closer the object is, the more lights change color.

//Set the LEDs

for (int i = 0; i < NUM_LEDS; ++i) {

if (distance > MIN_DISTANCE+i*dist_div) { leds[i] = CRGB(0,100,0); }

else { leds[i] = CRGB(100,0,0); }

} FastLED.show(); delay(100); }

3. Weekly Roundup

Developing the plastisphere idea

How will the artefact designs look like?

Are their crafting method all the same or through different means?

How will the artefact cater to an Indonesian audience?