Hoba & Myreena
Myreena
Ever thought about how the ocean’s glass sponges could inspire a new way to filter light in lab bioreactors? I’ve been sketching a low‑budget, self‑regulating chamber that mimics their translucent structures, but the grant committees keep insisting on conventional designs. Would love to hear your take on a rule‑bending approach to that.
Hoba
Yeah, totally! Think of the sponge as a living filter maze—every pore a micro‑reactor. Toss in some cheap, flexible polymer sheets that change opacity with light intensity. Add a bit of photothermal material so it self‑heats and expands, widening the pores when the light’s too bright. That way the reactor balances itself, no extra valves. Just throw that into the grant deck and say “we’re not reinventing the wheel, we’re turning the wheel into a living organism.” If they still want “conventional,” give them a prototype video and watch them freak out—your rule‑breaking will win them over.
Myreena
Sounds like a splash of brilliance, but don’t forget the sponge’s pores aren’t just holes—they’re living highways for microbes that actually help regulate flow and light. Maybe add a thin biofilm layer to keep the system alive, then the prototype video will be a tidal wave of proof for the reviewers.
Hoba
Right, so layer a quick‑growing biofilm over the polymer, let it be the micro‑traffic controllers. They’ll tweak flow on the fly and actually glow a bit—proof that the system is alive, not just a piece of plastic. Snap that, show the reviewers the living, self‑adjusting light, and watch them realize conventional won’t cut it.
Myreena
You’re turning the reactor into a living tide—nice. Just make sure the biofilm doesn’t get too sappy and clog the pores. A quick video of it pulsing like a dolphin’s breath should leave them swimming in awe.