Elementor #1584

“Circadian Rhythm” is a timepiece powered by microalgae-battery. Functioning as a conventional clock,  it consists of an ion-exchange membrane, plexiglass, copper sheets, processors, and cables. The clock’s mechanism is driven by the metabolic processes of microalgae, where environmental factors, such as fluctuating light conditions, dictate its pace. As the algae’s energy production responds to these environmental changes, the clock speeds up, slows down, or even pauses.  These fluctuations reflect the rhythms of life itself, mirroring the flow of electrons produced during the metabolic process. 

The term circadian rhythm refers to the physical, mental, and behavioral cycles of organisms, governed by environmental stimuli over a 24-hour period. For microalgae, light levels govern their circadian rhythm, much like how light once regulated human life in pre-industrial agricultural societies. At the moment, we strive for synchronization between individuals, organizations, and machines. Our modern understanding of time is mapped through operational data and optimized delays, constantly reorganizing ourselves to align with external clocks excluding the organic rhythms. Even though we recalibrate ourselves to these large-scale systems, organisms like microalgae continue to live according to their own internal rhythms. By integrating living microalgae with a mechanical clock, Circadian Rhythm challenges our reliance on constructed time and raises questions about the interplay between “measured time” and “lived time.”