The famous third industrial revolution summoned by Jeremy Rifkin demands for new accessible tools and processes. These processes should focus on accessible and localized raw materials, but also known, distributed and shared shaping techniques. Paper, cardboard, paperpulp or weaving are typical examples of techniques we all know and which can be deployed to impressive complex shapes. Using those techniques and bringing a process that can make these prototypes resistant to heat, water and pressure, opens up new perspectives for localized ceramic manufacturing techniques.

Petrification was initiated during a SACRe PhD by practice held by PSL University and prepared at EnsAD. Looking for inspirations to transform cellulose, I found an article of a research lab in California which invented a way to transform a cubic piece of wood into Silicon Carbide. Extending this first experiment, I explored the possibility of using other cellulosic materials as paperpulp, paper, cardboard, rope, cotton etc.

The first tests were conducted in 2015 at Collège de France following an invitation of Prof. F. Babonneau from UPMC. A second series of tests and experiments were held at Chimie ParisTech with 5 students for a year, under the supervision of Philippe Barboux (2016-17)

With the principle and chemistry variables set, the research had proven its potential and I built an atmospheric oven to be able to produce bigger and more intricate pieces.