PROCESS Reality Studio 09 - <strong>New</strong> <strong>Sense</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nuisance</strong> page 18 of 97
Process As the goal was to develop a product made out of water hyac<strong>in</strong>th, we used our time <strong>in</strong> Kisumu to experiment with the material, try<strong>in</strong>g to f<strong>in</strong>d its possibilities and its limitations and with simple means create a range of different products and materials. After conduct<strong>in</strong>g a few material tests, we started to list the characteristics of the plant. This mapp<strong>in</strong>g turned out to be a good way of gett<strong>in</strong>g an overview of the potential use of the water hyac<strong>in</strong>th and we bra<strong>in</strong>stormed around the characteristics several times <strong>in</strong> order to get ideas for what prototypes to create. These were the characteristics we found most <strong>in</strong>terest<strong>in</strong>g for further exploration: soft, isolative, biodegradable, renewable resource, nice smell, sound absorptive, aesthetic values, fibrous, spongy, light, and with high energy content. See Appendix IV for an overview of the ideas we generated. Rope-Strength Test<strong>in</strong>g A first step was to test the already exist<strong>in</strong>g ropes for their strength. We cut pieces, approximately 70 cm long, from ropes off three different thicknesses, grade B, C, and D. Then we tied an empty plastic bucket to it, held it up from the ground and started to pour water <strong>in</strong> to the bucket. The weight of the water when the rope broke was then recorded. From the harvesters <strong>in</strong> Nyakach, we knew that moist petioles are more durable and flexible than dry ones. We therefore conducted the test with wet ropes as well as ropes soaked <strong>in</strong> coconut oil. If the rope was wet, it could take approximately three times the weight compared to when it was dry. The oil however added approximately two kilos to the critical weight for the dry rope. See Appendix V for a chart over the test results. Absorption Test In our search for different applications of the water hyac<strong>in</strong>th, we also tested its absorption abilities. These crude tests were ma<strong>in</strong>ly executed to see how the plant material’s absorption properties were. Dried petioles with differences <strong>in</strong> length, amount, and with or without peel were compared to a regular tampon. All tests were soaked <strong>in</strong> approximately two millilitres contrast liquid of orange lemonade, and were timed. In regards to the non-scientifically degree of the experiment, we did not want to draw any conclusions. However, we observed that there was good potential. Colour<strong>in</strong>g the Petioles Two attempts to colour the dried water hyac<strong>in</strong>th petioles were made <strong>in</strong> order to ga<strong>in</strong> experience on how the plant receives colour<strong>in</strong>gs. In the first attempt, a p<strong>in</strong>k pigment powder was mixed with wood glue, some water, and whole dried petioles cut <strong>in</strong>to smaller pieces. The mix was then pressed <strong>in</strong>to a square and left to dry. The pigment became unevenly distributed and looked like a pa<strong>in</strong>ted layer on the hyac<strong>in</strong>th pieces. top: Test<strong>in</strong>g rope strength bottom: Test<strong>in</strong>g absorption properties Reality Studio 09 - <strong>New</strong> <strong>Sense</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Nuisance</strong> page 19 of 97
Change language