The Abyss Box

The Abyss Box

bookofjoe

From the March 31, 2012 Economist: "Ifremer [France's oceanographic institute] researchers are searching for a way to keep deep-sea animals alive indefinitely, so that their entire life cycles can be studied. This means building high-pressure, onshore fish tanks. On April 7th the Océanopolis, a big aquarium in Brest, will unveil two such chambers. Each Abyss Box [below],

as the contraptions are known, costs €100,000 ($134,000) and contains 16 litres of seawater held at 180 atmospheres. Crucially, each has a window: a glass visor 15cm [5.9"] across and 8cm [3.1"] thick [below]."

"At the moment, one of the boxes is inhabited by 43 deep-sea shrimps. The other houses three crabs. Both come from Atlantic vents located around 1.8km [1.2 miles] below the surface. It will be the first time members of the public who are not James Cameron have had a chance to behold such creatures alive."

Wrote Hannah Hoag about the Abyss Box in the June issue of Wired magazine, "Unless you're James Cameron, you've probably never seen a Mirocaris fortunate — a shrimp that lives in the hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the ocean. Or a little white crab named Segonzacia mesatlantica [top]. That's because these deep-sea species can't survive in a standard aquarium — normal atmospheric pressure will kill them. Luckily, one of Europe's largest aquariums, Océanopolis, in Brest, France, has developed a solution: a unique high-pressure viewing cabinet called the Abyss Box. Visitors can now stare into the 4.25-gallon displays and see the kinds of deep-dwelling sea fauna you used to have to spend a Titanic-sized budget to glimpse."

 

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The miniature world of Szymon Klimek

The miniature world of Szymon Klimek

bookofjoe

From Make: "Without an everyday reference for a sense of scale, Szymon Klimek's intricate mechanical creations could easily be mistaken for twice their true size. Made from 0.1 millimeter sheets of brass and bronze, Klimek's miniature machines dance effortlessly in wine-glass enclosures that measure little more than 4 inches across."

"Klimek's latest creation, Sponge [above], is a steam engine-like machine named for the latticework of tiny interconnected brass pieces that expands and contracts as the engine runs. Sitting in a wine glass about a foot tall, a small silicon solar cell powers a concealed electric motor which drives the 3-inch flywheel.... The opening of Sponge's wine glass and the diameter of its flywheel differ by less than a millimeter. CAD programs assist with design and Klimek, 57, assembles most of the machinery outside of the enclosures, cutting and shaping the pieces by hand. Sealing the top and gluing the machines down with clear resin... protects the delicate pieces from dust and curious fingers."

"Living in Poznan, Poland, Klimek entered into the world of small-scale making in 2004 with a miniature steam locomotive and coal wagon measuring about 3 inches. He's built close to 100 handcrafted brass and bronze miniatures, including ornate carriages, early 20th-century roadsters, and even a ship with billowing sails that fits in a wine glass. Since 2008 he's created nine 'active devices.'"

[via No Puedo Creer]

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1/4 mile hand crank siren

I have got to get us one of these! - Play time!

 

1/4 mile hand crank siren:

From CSYCB : "This siren can be heard up to 1/4 mile away."

$119.99.

(Via bookofjoe)

Truman Capote, Audrey Hepburn, and Mel Ferrer — Photo booth fun

Truman Capote, Audrey Hepburn, and Mel Ferrer — Photo booth fun:

[via Flavorwire]

(Via bookofjoe)

Animal sculptures made from reclaimed household objects

Animal sculptures made from reclaimed household objects:

From Colossal:

"Artist Sayaka Ganz was born in Yokohama, Japan and grew up living in Japan, Hong Kong, and Brazil, and now lives and works in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Ganz was deeply impacted as a child by Japanese Shinto beliefs that all objects and organisms have spirits, and was also taught that objects discarded before the end of their usefulness 'weep at night inside the trash bin.' As her artistic side developed, she infused her artwork with these beliefs, using discarded and reclaimed household objects as a medium for her sculptures."

Ganz says:

I only select objects that have been used and discarded. My goal is for each object to transcend its origin by being integrated into an animal/ organic forms that are alive and in motion. This process of reclamation and regeneration is liberating to me as an artist.

Building these sculptures helps me understand the situations that surround me. It reminds me that even if there is a conflict right now, there is also a solution in which all the pieces can coexist peacefully. Though there are wide gaps in some areas and small holes in others, when seen from the distance there is great beauty and harmony in our community.

"What you see here is only a small fraction of her work, you can see much more in her Motion, Displays, and Scrap Metal galleries. You can also see more work on Facebook."

[via Cosas cool]

(Via bookofjoe)