ABOUT
THOMAS KNOEPFFLER
thomknoe@icloud.com

Thomas Knoepffler is a Design Technologist based in Miami, Florida. His work explores the intersection of materials, interactions, and environments using emergent technologies—such as AI, responsive systems, and digital fabrication. His work spans across mediums, ranging from parametric bio-hybrid products to ambient ergonomic devices to 3D procedural world builders.

He holds a MS in Design Technology from Cornell University and a BS in Integrated Design & Media from NYU, as well as professional experience in UI/UX design and product management for early-stage startups. He has mentored aspiring designers and volunteered with local creative communities alike, dedicated to making design matter for the tomorrows to come.

  • Rhino 3D, Grasshopper, Blender
  • Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma
  • 3D Printing, Laser Cutting
  • Arduino, Raspberry Pi
  • HTML, CSS, JavaScript
  • Python, C#


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FLUVIAL STUDIES DESIGN 6151

FLUVIAL STUDIES
DESIGN 6151

 Cornell University, AAP
 Design and Making I, Fall 2024
— Biomimetic Design


DESCRIPTION

How might we use fluid flow and bifurcating geometries to create responsive structures capable of transporting resources, nutrients, or even information from their surroundings?
These studies explore bioinspired design through the bifurcating vein structures of the prayer plant, Maranta leuconeura. These vascular systems deliver efficient resource transport and structural organization. Observations span macro-level leaf forms down to microscopic cellular matrices filled with cytoplasm and chloroplasts. This scale shift inspired a central question: how can fluid flow and bifurcating geometries create responsive structures that transport resources, nutrients, or information from the environment?

The process began with close observation of the prayer plant’s vein patterns and how single channels branch into complex networks. Microscopic studies examined structural fidelity and cellular translucency. Pattern-making techniques translated these forms into algorithmic strategies. Explorations mapped vascular structures to natural flow lines and tested ways to adapt them for responsive applications. Ideas took shape through form studies using laser cutting, 3D printing, stacked diffuse acrylic, and capillary ink experiments.

Parametric modeling in Rhino and Grasshopper generated bifurcating geometries and patterned fields, with Blender used for visualization. Laser-cut paper strips with varying incision patterns tested capillary flow behaviors when submerged in ink-dyed water. Young-LaPlace diagrams modeled the governing physics of capillary action, including surface tension, contact angle, and gravitational pressure. Computational simulation, hands-on experiments, and mathematical modeling produced designs firmly grounded in bioinspired principles.

Fluvial principles from this work support scalable applications in sustainable design, including passive irrigation systems and efficient resource distribution. Bifurcating geometries combine with adaptive materials for larger uses such as urban green walls and interspecies habitats. Future iterations address structural integrity and environmental integration through advanced materials like porous ceramics and passive-membrane polymers. The research creates resilient, low-maintenance systems that blur the boundary between infrastructure and nature while promoting energy-efficient resource distribution and deeper ecological connections.