Frozen Froth
Frozen froth investigates the use of PU foam coated with dispersed with as a material system for functional electronics. The work began with experiments in PU foam mixing or coating it with carbon black, which introduced to an otherwise a highly resistive material and created a basis for fabricating electronics through material manipulation. To control form, textiles were used to create patterned chambers that guide the expansion of injected liquid PU foam. As the foam reacts and shifts from liquid to a spongy solid, these textile structures define the resulting geometry. The series of experiments focused on finding new - techniques, aesthetics, structures, affordances, interactions and experiences with this material combination. An embroidery machine enabled precise fabrication of textile chambers, making it possible to test variations efficiently. Observing foam expansion in different pattern configurations informed refinement of chamber design and morphologies.
