New Sense in Nuisance - JaniPad

Process
As the goal was to develop a product made out of water
hyacinth, we used our time in Kisumu to experiment
with the material, trying to find its possibilities and
its limitations and with simple means create a range
of different products and materials.
After conducting a few material tests, we started to
list the characteristics of the plant. This mapping
turned out to be a good way of getting an overview
of the potential use of the water hyacinth and we
brainstormed around the characteristics several
times in order to get ideas for what prototypes to
create. These were the characteristics we found most
interesting 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 Testing
A first step was to test the already existing 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 in to the bucket. The weight of the water
when the rope broke was then recorded. From the
harvesters in 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 in 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
hyacinth, we also tested its absorption abilities.
These crude tests were mainly executed to see how
the plant material’s absorption properties were. Dried
petioles with differences in length, amount, and with
or without peel were compared to a regular tampon.
All tests were soaked in 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.
Colouring the Petioles
Two attempts to colour the dried water hyacinth
petioles were made in order to gain experience on
how the plant receives colourings. In the first attempt,
a pink pigment powder was mixed with wood glue,
some water, and whole dried petioles cut into smaller
pieces. The mix was then pressed into a square and
left to dry. The pigment became unevenly distributed
and looked like a painted layer on the hyacinth pieces.
top: Testing rope strength
bottom: Testing absorption properties
Reality Studio 09 - New Sense in Nuisance
page 19 of 97