Reflections on the future of Carl de Smet – High tech furniture design

Interieur 2012: The Belgian designer furniture Smet noumenon high technology has developed, the size can be up to 5% reduced so that they are portable and then again as "popcorn" can be increased by Aufhitzen. In this offer, which is always located in a theoretical stage products memory polymers of polyurethane form (SMP) are compressed into a flat, lightweight wheels, which means they take up very little space, until it is not necessary. If the furniture is heated, it will return to their normal shape. This occurs with features of "memory foam" material. Exposure

"They are very light, so they hardly take up space when you have to carry them."

Display "If furniture is damaged and then reheated, if the damage goes. If you carry the product and it is damaged, it does not matter, because this is not the final product, but the printed memory." The idea came from a science project for a satellite dish to the outer surface, which can be printed so that you can reduce the carry loads on a spaceship. Once the antenna is then exposed to sunlight, the extent of their size. This project includes shape memory alloys (SMA) – METALIEN, polyurethanes in the same way as shape memory polymers behave (SMP), but are very expensive. "I wanted to develop the idea for everyday use, so stay not only in technology and high-tech materials, but are too expensive for that." De Smet said. "The production of polymers on a large scale is a affordable solution. " Currently, the parts must be heated in a large heated room with sauna, to reach the required temperature of 70 degrees, but Smet studied other ways to trigger the conversion of the tablet to the extended form. For example now is to program the material so that it returns to the form received when an electrical signal passing through it. The foam is to be strong enough to support a structure that can be used in furniture by grinding or solid blocks is converted by injection molding "[There are] the product is programmed due to transportation logistics, extending to 70 degrees," says de Smet. "For example, in summer, when the truck is in storage, heated indoor room for a maximum of 50 degrees. We do not want the furniture then burst like popcorn! "Foam chair in the premises of the workshop Buda Kortrijk, Belgium De Smet presented the project through a foam chair in the premises of the workshop Buda Kortrijk, Belgium. This exhibition is part of the Biennale interior design from 2013. Interview by the chief editor Marcus Fairs Dezeens with Smet Marcus Fairs: Tell us about the project noumenon
Carl de Smet: This is a research project that began five or six years, we are dealing with a range of smart materials, polymers, which have the ability to change shape. The beduetet you can temporarily specify a form, and when the material reaches a certain temperature, it is transformed into the final product. Marcus Fairs: Whether it's a type of material? It looks like a sort of foam! Carl de Smet: It is a type of memory foam. The foam can have different densities; normal foam is very soft, spongy. But this is fixed, which means that you can use as a structural support. And if it is aufgehitzt and changes shape, it becomes soft. Marcus Fairs: Is it a material that you have discovered, or one that has already been discovered and that you found a use for it? Carl de Smet: These materials were created 20 years ago, but ultimately we will use it in a broader framework for design. Marcus Fairs: Is this something you discovered by chance? Carl de Smet: No, we have not discovered by accident. In 2002/2003 I started a project of Tung examiner shape memory alloys (SMA); These are metals that are very well known. It was the idea of ​​creating a satellite dish for space. The idea was to form a wedged to bring a spacecraft in space. Released into the cold air and when they emit heat of the sun spreads and it takes the form of an antenna. I liked the idea of ​​certain types of objects that have a performative behavior design. I wanted to develop the idea and they can be applied in everyday life. As you well know, the production of polymers is cheap in large quantities. This is why I carry out investigations in the field of plastic "Marcus Fairs. So, tell us how this invention can be used to create a product. Here, you have demonstrated a model of chair. Carl Smet: This is a chair, but the main idea is that it is (bought) in a profile form, you usually buy a package and then you go home and he develops the story, which is now known to all. : the kind of Ikea; You put it all together, put them all together alone but in our case, makes the material change This material creates the work The form is simple as a memory function of matter there Marcus…. Fairs: So to adjust the chair here, and compress zerdruckt him, not Carl de Smet: Yes Marcus Fairs. How much less than the original size, the product may be Carl de Smet: It can be up 20 times smaller. When you think of the shape, then here is a cellular structure of speech, and in the structure inside the air there. You can then overwrite this structure. Then, the object is a disc. Marcus Fairs: What won it? I can imagine that you can carry the furniture much easier. Carl de Smet: It's easy, and also during transportation, it takes up no space. If it is damaged and it is still aufgehitzt the damage disappears. If you carry the package and something happens, then it does not matter, because this is not the final product, but the memory recorded. Marcus Fairs: How they bring the product puree is back in its full size form? Carl de Smet: Nothing can be done on the basis of the heat, but we are looking for new applications that make this possible at home, because not every house has a sauna where you can place furniture Marcus Fairs So you have. stand up in a hot room? Carl de Smet [Currently] it is programmed due to transportation logistics, extending to 70 degrees, "says de Smet." For example, in summer, when the truck is in storage, heated to room within a maximum of 50 degrees. We do not want the furniture then burst like popcorn! We think in the first place, the temperature was high, but when you think of transport, then this is the minimum "Marcus Fairs. How is the product made it with a mill Carl de Smet:? It is like a mill, but also by injection molding to create. This is a type of polyurethane or PU. In the automotive industry the wrong leather is made from PU. So we can do the leather wood incorrect or false. This is only . the end of the injection process Depends syringes and how to perform this ergonomic design. – Suitable for children Marcus Fairs: What is the scientific process that makes the product possible that this form? Carl de Smet: If you look under a microscope polymers, you would see a kind of spaghetti. In this form, you create crossword and chemical attached to the form and relaxation links. Whenever you komprimeren or stretch, he remembers interconnections and connection points. White foam chair