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Programmable popcorn


Imagine a cup of popocorns that all have the same shape...

This is a material experiment under the context of subtractive manufacturing.  I was inspired by this slow-motion video capturing how corns pop into popcorns. I noticed that the kernel was teared apart by the inner force. The force is so huge that it happened instantly and randomly. So I’m wondering if I can control where the kernel is teared by pre-cutting the kernel before popping. 
This is the popcorn we are used to have, random irregular shapes caused by random explosion breaking the kernels

Fabrication process:
 #1 laser cut corn kernels
Lay each corn on the corresponding postion Laser cut WIP Laser cut result


#2 Microwave heating





Programmed corns result


A horizontal line cut result in capsule shapes

A crossing cut result in the four leg/pedal shape