Shimadzu Corporation is exhibiting hands-on science/art works that illustrate the concepts behind chromatography, our main technology, at Milan Design Week 2024, the world’s largest design festival. The exhibition runs for 10 days from April 12 to 21. The venue is DROPCITY in the Milano Centrale train station. This is the first time that Shimadzu has exhibited at Milan Design Week. The exhibited works are part of the results of research from WONDER POWDER, a research project initiated from April 2022 with the design studio we+.
In the WONDER POWDER exhibit, a variety of powdered raw materials fall through acrylic cases filled with water. The cases can be rotated by the visitors themselves. Differences in the size, weight, and shape of the powders affect their sedimentation rates, creating beautiful gradation patterns. The powder elements, size distributions, and shapes were investigated using Shimadzu products, and visitors can experience for themselves the charm of the analytical measurement technology by reading the description of the analysis results, provided next to the cases. Shimadzu’s energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (EDX), particle size analyzer (SALD), and scanning probe microscope (SPM) were used to analyze the powders. The actual analysis work was the responsibility of Shimadzu Techno-Research, Inc., a contract analysis Group company.
Exhibiting at Milan Design Week 2024, which is expected to attract approximately 300,000 visitors from all over the world during the week, is part of an effort to increase Shimadzu brand recognition and at the same time heighten interest in science and technology in general. By presenting Shimadzu’s analytical and measurement technology as art and design and having it evaluated by design leaders from around the world, we aim to increase the global recognition of the Shimadzu brand and improve our design technology. We expect that this will lead to our employing outstanding engineers and designers both domestically and internationally, and development of our business by strengthening our development and design capabilities.
Photograph: Works from the Research Project “WONDER POWDER” (The photograph was taken during an exhibition in-house.)
Exhibit Overview
Dates: April 12, 2024 (Fri.) to 21 (Sun.)
Venue: Dropcity Tunnel 44 (Address: Via Sammartini, 20125 Milano)
Milan Design Week 2024 special website
About Milan Design Week
This is the general term for Salone del Mobile.Milano, the world’s largest international furniture trade fair, and Fuorisalone which is held simultaneously, both held in the city of Milan. Many businesses and designers participate from all over the world, and many of the latest designs are on display.
About we+
This contemporary design studio gives form to new perspectives and values, using methods based on research and experimentation. It was founded in 2013 by Toshiya Hayashi and Hokuto Ando. The studio explores the possibilities of alternative design that establishes a close coexistence with the natural and social environment, while incorporating a diversity of values that are often overlooked in today’s society, where convenience and rationality are sought. With their varied backgrounds and skills, the designers, engineers, researchers, and writers who work at the studio gather together to present self-initiated projects stemming from their daily research, both in Japan and overseas. The knowledge gained in this way is utilized to participate in a wide variety of corporate and organizational projects, including R&D, installations as commissioned works, branding, project development, spatial design, and graphic design.
