Elaine Ng Yan Ling

‘Techno Naturology’ is an interactive textile collection that merges smart artificial technology (shape memory materials) with natural wood and fibres to mimic the responsive behaviour of a pine cone. This sensing system imitates the opening and closing of the pine scales in response to changes in levels of temperature and humidity. Here, the movements are engineered to a fine degree of precision with programmable micro controller and sensors.

‘Techno Naturology’ offers a tangible link between craft, architecture and engineering, using high-tech smart materials in combination with the technology of nature.

This collection of smart architectural surfaces provides strength, flexibility, transformability and weather responsive systems. ‘Techno Naturology’ offers a tangible link between craft, architecture and engineering, using high-tech smart materials in combination with what has been on offer for the past 3.8 billion years of evolution – the technology of nature. As such this project aims at fostering models of biomimicry as sustainable templates for future design.

As a TED Fellow, Elaine presented ‘Techno-Naturology: The secret life of textiles’ at the Ted Global Conference 2012, in Edinburgh, UK.