Lakshmi Mohanbabu
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AN IMPRINT IN EVERY REALM - A Vision Connecting Humanity Across Borders, Space and Time
Created through the shared dedication of all its collaborators, the Deep Ocean Floor Gallery honours those impacted by natural disasters, embodying a united commitment to remembrance and resilience
DEEPEST ART Installation - VISION
Interactions: A Visionary Fusion of Art and Technology
The Interactions Project is a groundbreaking fusion of art and technology that transcends boundaries and unites humanity across all environments. In an unprecedented achievement, the world’s first Deepest Ocean Installation now lies in the extreme depths of the Pacific Ocean, 7 kilometers beneath the surface in the hadal zone. This bold installation demonstrates humanity’s brilliance in overcoming the planet's most extreme environments, showcasing the limits of creativity, science, and engineering in one of Earth’s most hostile and unexplored realms.
This visionary collaboration between artist Lakshmi Mohanbabu, NuStar Technologies Singapore, Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore), and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) is a triumph of global cooperation, where creative vision and science converge.
The Deepest Ocean Gallery
Located 7 kilometers beneath the Pacific Ocean near the Mariana Trench, the Deepest Ocean Gallery is not just the first of its kind—it is a bold leap into uncharted creative territory. Featuring three intricately engineered metal cubes, it marks yet another historic milestone for visionary artist Lakshmi Mohanbabu. In 2022, she became the first Singaporean artist to send her work to the International Space Station as part of the Moon Gallery. With this pioneering ocean-floor installation, she becomes the first artist in the world to have her work reach both the outer edges of space and the ocean’s deepest realms.
Beyond an Art Gallery
The Deepest Ocean Gallery is more than an installation—it’s a groundbreaking narrative of human collaboration and discovery. Interactions illuminates humanity’s most transformative achievements in science and technology, telling a story that transcends the artwork itself. This installation embodies the collective journey of innovators from across the globe, united by a shared vision. It stands as a testament to the limitless potential of human ingenuity, where art serves as both a cultural statement and a bridge to scientific and technological progress. As it journeys from the vastness of space to the ocean’s mysterious depths, this initiative continues to reshape the future of human connectivity, solidifying its legacy as a symbol of global unity that stretches across time, space, and imagination.
The Interactions Project is a groundbreaking fusion of art and technology that transcends boundaries and unites humanity across all environments. In an unprecedented achievement, the world’s first Deepest Ocean Installation now lies in the extreme depths of the Pacific Ocean, 7 kilometers beneath the surface in the hadal zone. This bold installation demonstrates humanity’s brilliance in overcoming the planet's most extreme environments, showcasing the limits of creativity, science, and engineering in one of Earth’s most hostile and unexplored realms.
This visionary collaboration between artist Lakshmi Mohanbabu, NuStar Technologies Singapore, Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore), and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) is a triumph of global cooperation, where creative vision and science converge.
The Deepest Ocean Gallery
Located 7 kilometers beneath the Pacific Ocean near the Mariana Trench, the Deepest Ocean Gallery is not just the first of its kind—it is a bold leap into uncharted creative territory. Featuring three intricately engineered metal cubes, it marks yet another historic milestone for visionary artist Lakshmi Mohanbabu. In 2022, she became the first Singaporean artist to send her work to the International Space Station as part of the Moon Gallery. With this pioneering ocean-floor installation, she becomes the first artist in the world to have her work reach both the outer edges of space and the ocean’s deepest realms.
Beyond an Art Gallery
The Deepest Ocean Gallery is more than an installation—it’s a groundbreaking narrative of human collaboration and discovery. Interactions illuminates humanity’s most transformative achievements in science and technology, telling a story that transcends the artwork itself. This installation embodies the collective journey of innovators from across the globe, united by a shared vision. It stands as a testament to the limitless potential of human ingenuity, where art serves as both a cultural statement and a bridge to scientific and technological progress. As it journeys from the vastness of space to the ocean’s mysterious depths, this initiative continues to reshape the future of human connectivity, solidifying its legacy as a symbol of global unity that stretches across time, space, and imagination.
DEEP OCEAN CUbes: CONCEPT
The Deep Ocean Cubes are based on Lakshmi’s Interactions Art that are based on existential elements common to all humanity created as a universal language, one that belongs to everyone without being exclusive to any individual or group. For more on the Interactions art: https://www.lakshmimohanbabu.com/interactions-art.html
The three cubes, each with a side 10cm feature the five Interactions designs based on Lakshmi’s Interactions Art. These five designs are embedded in varying configurations on each of the five faces of the three cubes, with the top face of each cube showcasing a distinct design: Primary, Nautilus, and Dromenon.
COLOURS & SYMBOLISM
Red and White Cube: The colors symbolize the national flags of Singapore and Japan. Singapore’s flag, with its Moon and stars, and Japan’s flag, representing the Sun, together encompass the universe—capturing the essence of the cosmos and the Interactions theme of universal patterns.
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Purple and Aquamarine Blue Cube: Purple conveys tranquillity and the vastness of both the ocean’s depths and space’s infinity. Aquamarine blue, derived from "aqua" (water) and "marina" (of the sea), embodies the clarity and serenity of ocean waters.
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Ocean Blue and Orange Cube: Deep blue, found in both the ocean and space, represents depth and mystery. Orange, often associated with transformation, reflects the cycles of change seen in nature, from shifting seasons to the rhythm of life itself.
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Each cube features the five Interactions designs on its five faces, with the top face showcasing one of three unique designs: Primary, Nautilus and Dromenon.
THE NAUTILUS: Drawing inspiration from the Nautilus, a living fossil whose shape has remained unchanged for millennia, this artwork symbolizes the timeless connection between the infinitesimal and the infinite. Its spiral structure mirrors the unique blueprint of our DNA, a repeating pattern that makes each of us distinct, yet part of a greater whole. Similarly, the spirals of galaxies—each one unique—form an endless ocean of galaxies in the universe.
This repetition of spirals, whether in the coils of our DNA or the arms of galaxies, links the microcosm of life to the macrocosm of the universe. It reflects the continuity of forms, where the same pattern unfolds from the smallest scale of life to the largest scale of the cosmos. From the deepest ocean depths to the infinite reaches of space, the Nautilus becomes a symbol of humanity’s endless quest to explore the unknown, showing how the same patterns of existence connect us all. About Interactions Art: https://www.lakshmimohanbabu.com/interactions-art.html |
NUSTAR TECHNOLOGIES: Engineering the impossible
https://www.nustar-tech.com
NuStar Technologies, a Singapore-based engineering company, specializes in delivering innovative solutions for complex onshore, offshore, surface, and subsea projects. With expertise in high-risk, high-precision engineering, NuStar plays a critical role in advancing deep-sea exploration and technology.
As part of the world’s first deep ocean art gallery, NuStar facilitated the integration of Singaporean artist Lakshmi Mohanbabu’s Interactions artwork into a specialized structure at 7,000 meters depth. This was achieved through NuStar’s participation in JAMSTEC’s (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology) International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 405 JTRACK. This groundbreaking mission installed an advanced earthquake monitoring system in ultra-deep waters, using cutting-edge drilling technology to study seismic activity.
NuStar has a long history of supporting scientific exploration in extreme environments. In 2023, the same team was involved in JFAST (Japan Trench Fast Drilling Project), which gathered crucial data on the fault zone of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. That disaster triggered a tsunami that claimed 19,000 lives, highlighting the urgent need for deeper understanding of earthquake mechanisms.
Through JTRACK, scientists are investigating the processes behind large-scale seismic events by drilling into the Japan Trench subduction zone. The ability to track tsunamigenic slip across the trench provides invaluable data that could enhance earthquake prediction and disaster preparedness—ultimately helping to save lives.
NuStar’s involvement in this mission showcases how engineering, science, and art can converge to push the boundaries of exploration. Their expertise in deep-sea engineering not only enables pioneering research but also contributes to global efforts in earthquake monitoring, reinforcing the vital role of technology in safeguarding communities from future disasters.
As part of the world’s first deep ocean art gallery, NuStar facilitated the integration of Singaporean artist Lakshmi Mohanbabu’s Interactions artwork into a specialized structure at 7,000 meters depth. This was achieved through NuStar’s participation in JAMSTEC’s (Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology) International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) Expedition 405 JTRACK. This groundbreaking mission installed an advanced earthquake monitoring system in ultra-deep waters, using cutting-edge drilling technology to study seismic activity.
NuStar has a long history of supporting scientific exploration in extreme environments. In 2023, the same team was involved in JFAST (Japan Trench Fast Drilling Project), which gathered crucial data on the fault zone of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake. That disaster triggered a tsunami that claimed 19,000 lives, highlighting the urgent need for deeper understanding of earthquake mechanisms.
Through JTRACK, scientists are investigating the processes behind large-scale seismic events by drilling into the Japan Trench subduction zone. The ability to track tsunamigenic slip across the trench provides invaluable data that could enhance earthquake prediction and disaster preparedness—ultimately helping to save lives.
NuStar’s involvement in this mission showcases how engineering, science, and art can converge to push the boundaries of exploration. Their expertise in deep-sea engineering not only enables pioneering research but also contributes to global efforts in earthquake monitoring, reinforcing the vital role of technology in safeguarding communities from future disasters.
From Left to Right: Terence Lim (Project Engineer), Lakshmi Mohanbabu, Sim Guan Teo (Director Engineering), Goi Kim Kok (Managing Director), Gurtaj Padda
NuStar Technologies’ Design for Housing the Deep Ocean Gallery
With the active support of JAMSTEC and JTRACK, the Deep Ocean Gallery was transported using the newly modified Long-Term Borehole Monitoring System (LTBMS). This specialised equipment ensured the sculptures withstood the immense pressures of the ocean floor while allowing interaction with ocean waters during descent. LTBMS was developed under the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP), initiated in 2007 by JTRACK, to monitor activity near continental plate boundary faults. It was connected to the Dense Oceanfloor Network System for Earthquakes and Tsunamis (DONET), an undersea cable network that provides real-time pressure, strain, and seismological data. This real-time monitoring serves as an early warning system to help protect civilization from catastrophic events. The Ocean Floor cubes were positioned above the LTBMS sensor tray (yellow) and below the running profile (green), ensuring they remained clearly visible to the camera while being sheltered from potential impact. |
Lakshmi Mohanbabu and Goi Kim Kok Managing Director NuStar Technologies
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NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY SINGAPORE - cutting edge technology
https://www.ntu.edu.sg/
A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 35,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Business, Computing & Data Science, Engineering, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, Medicine, Science, and Graduate colleges.
NTU is also home to world-renowned autonomous institutes – the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering – and various leading research centres such as the Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N).
Under the NTU Smart Campus vision, the University harnesses the power of digital technology and tech-enabled solutions to support better learning and living experiences, the discovery of new knowledge, and the sustainability of resources.
Ranked amongst the world’s top universities, the University’s main campus is also frequently listed among the world’s most beautiful. Known for its sustainability, NTU has achieved 100% Green Mark Platinum certification for all its eligible building projects. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a medical campus in Novena, Singapore’s healthcare district.
For more information, visit www.ntu.edu.sg
Artist Lakshmi Mohanbabu has collaborated with NTU scientists on pioneering projects that merge creative vision with cutting-edge engineering. In recent years, she has worked closely with NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing on two artworks sent to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Moon Gallery. These projects exemplify the seamless integration of art and technology, with NTU scientists playing a vital role in incorporating advanced techniques into their creation.
Building on these successful collaborations, NTU scientists contributed their expertise to Lakshmi’s Deep Ocean Art Gallery—the world’s first installation at a depth of 7 kilometres beneath the Pacific Ocean. This visionary project marks a significant milestone where art, science, and engineering converge to explore one of Earth’s most extreme and uncharted environments.
One of the most innovative aspects of this project was an Ocean Cube—one of three in the Deep Ocean Gallery—created using Laser Patterning and Incorporation of Sheets (LAPIS), a hybrid manufacturing technology developed by Dr. Lai Changquan, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, NTU, Singapore. Dr. Lai holds a PhD in Advanced Materials for Micro- and Nano-Systems and adopts a highly integrative, cross-disciplinary approach, combining design, materials science, and manufacturing innovation to engineer novel structures and surfaces. Learn more about Dr. Lai’s research here
LAPIS integrates 3D printing with laser cutting, enabling the production of fully dense components from ultra-thin sheets without the need for sintering or pressing. This results in a surface finish three times superior to conventional methods.
The Deep Ocean Cube was crafted from 80 ultra-thin stainless-steel sheets, each just 50 microns thick, fused into a 4mm-thick wall. This innovative approach produced a structure over 30% stronger than bulk steel, ensuring resilience against the immense pressures and corrosive conditions of the deep ocean.
By deploying this cube to the ocean floor, the project provided a rare opportunity to test LAPIS technology in extreme conditions, pushing the boundaries of additive manufacturing and materials science. This collaboration between Lakshmi Mohanbabu and NTU scientists is a testament to the power of cross-disciplinary innovation—where art and technology unite to overcome nature’s most formidable challenges.
Dr. Lai’s team—including Dominic Lim Kang Jueh, Jonathan Singham, Cai Chenhui, Hsu Thiri Zaw, Xu Lijian, Isaac Wong Ming En, Ray Lim Rui Yi, Chloe Tan Yi Ling, Goh Kim Wang Simon, Yuan Jiaxiu, Lee Hsien Ren Joshua and Fan Jie—played an instrumental role in developing this pioneering technology. Together, they have advanced the fields of additive manufacturing and materials science, setting new standards for the future of engineering and artistic exploration.
Through this collaboration, NTU scientists continue to drive groundbreaking innovation, demonstrating how creativity and technology can transform our understanding of the world.
A research-intensive public university, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) has 35,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students in the Business, Computing & Data Science, Engineering, Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences, Medicine, Science, and Graduate colleges.
NTU is also home to world-renowned autonomous institutes – the National Institute of Education, S Rajaratnam School of International Studies and Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering – and various leading research centres such as the Earth Observatory of Singapore, Nanyang Environment & Water Research Institute and Energy Research Institute @ NTU (ERI@N).
Under the NTU Smart Campus vision, the University harnesses the power of digital technology and tech-enabled solutions to support better learning and living experiences, the discovery of new knowledge, and the sustainability of resources.
Ranked amongst the world’s top universities, the University’s main campus is also frequently listed among the world’s most beautiful. Known for its sustainability, NTU has achieved 100% Green Mark Platinum certification for all its eligible building projects. Apart from its main campus, NTU also has a medical campus in Novena, Singapore’s healthcare district.
For more information, visit www.ntu.edu.sg
Artist Lakshmi Mohanbabu has collaborated with NTU scientists on pioneering projects that merge creative vision with cutting-edge engineering. In recent years, she has worked closely with NTU’s School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and the Singapore Centre for 3D Printing on two artworks sent to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Moon Gallery. These projects exemplify the seamless integration of art and technology, with NTU scientists playing a vital role in incorporating advanced techniques into their creation.
Building on these successful collaborations, NTU scientists contributed their expertise to Lakshmi’s Deep Ocean Art Gallery—the world’s first installation at a depth of 7 kilometres beneath the Pacific Ocean. This visionary project marks a significant milestone where art, science, and engineering converge to explore one of Earth’s most extreme and uncharted environments.
One of the most innovative aspects of this project was an Ocean Cube—one of three in the Deep Ocean Gallery—created using Laser Patterning and Incorporation of Sheets (LAPIS), a hybrid manufacturing technology developed by Dr. Lai Changquan, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, NTU, Singapore. Dr. Lai holds a PhD in Advanced Materials for Micro- and Nano-Systems and adopts a highly integrative, cross-disciplinary approach, combining design, materials science, and manufacturing innovation to engineer novel structures and surfaces. Learn more about Dr. Lai’s research here
LAPIS integrates 3D printing with laser cutting, enabling the production of fully dense components from ultra-thin sheets without the need for sintering or pressing. This results in a surface finish three times superior to conventional methods.
The Deep Ocean Cube was crafted from 80 ultra-thin stainless-steel sheets, each just 50 microns thick, fused into a 4mm-thick wall. This innovative approach produced a structure over 30% stronger than bulk steel, ensuring resilience against the immense pressures and corrosive conditions of the deep ocean.
By deploying this cube to the ocean floor, the project provided a rare opportunity to test LAPIS technology in extreme conditions, pushing the boundaries of additive manufacturing and materials science. This collaboration between Lakshmi Mohanbabu and NTU scientists is a testament to the power of cross-disciplinary innovation—where art and technology unite to overcome nature’s most formidable challenges.
Dr. Lai’s team—including Dominic Lim Kang Jueh, Jonathan Singham, Cai Chenhui, Hsu Thiri Zaw, Xu Lijian, Isaac Wong Ming En, Ray Lim Rui Yi, Chloe Tan Yi Ling, Goh Kim Wang Simon, Yuan Jiaxiu, Lee Hsien Ren Joshua and Fan Jie—played an instrumental role in developing this pioneering technology. Together, they have advanced the fields of additive manufacturing and materials science, setting new standards for the future of engineering and artistic exploration.
Through this collaboration, NTU scientists continue to drive groundbreaking innovation, demonstrating how creativity and technology can transform our understanding of the world.
JAMSTEC: Advancing Deep-Sea Exploration and Life-Saving Research
https://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has long been a leader in deep-sea research, driving innovation in marine science and technology. Renowned for its expertise in extreme environment exploration, JAMSTEC has led groundbreaking missions that have expanded our understanding of the Earth’s most remote and least explored regions.
As a key partner in the world’s first Deepest Ocean Gallery, JAMSTEC provided the advanced technological capabilities and logistical support essential for placing this visionary art project at 7,000 meters beneath the Pacific Ocean. This installation was made possible through JAMSTEC’s extensive research initiatives and state-of-the-art deep-sea exploration infrastructure, which has enabled scientists to study the hadal zone in unprecedented detail.
JAMSTEC’s contributions go far beyond oceanic research, with a critical focus on enhancing global preparedness for natural disasters. Their pioneering work in deep-sea drilling, submersible technology, and ocean monitoring has not only led to major scientific discoveries but also played a pivotal role in understanding Tsunamigenic slip—an essential area of study for improving tsunami prediction and preparedness. This research is crucial for saving lives by providing the data needed to understand the mechanisms that trigger catastrophic underwater earthquakes and tsunamis, ultimately contributing to more effective disaster mitigation strategies worldwide.
This collaboration between JAMSTEC, NuStar Technologies, and artist Lakshmi Mohanbabu exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary partnerships. By blending art, science, and engineering, the Deepest Ocean Gallery becomes more than a creative project; it represents human ingenuity, exploration, and the life-saving potential of research. JAMSTEC’s unwavering commitment to discovery continues to shape the future of marine science, ensuring that the vast, uncharted depths of our planet not only inspire wonder but also contribute to safeguarding lives around the globe.
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has long been a leader in deep-sea research, driving innovation in marine science and technology. Renowned for its expertise in extreme environment exploration, JAMSTEC has led groundbreaking missions that have expanded our understanding of the Earth’s most remote and least explored regions.
As a key partner in the world’s first Deepest Ocean Gallery, JAMSTEC provided the advanced technological capabilities and logistical support essential for placing this visionary art project at 7,000 meters beneath the Pacific Ocean. This installation was made possible through JAMSTEC’s extensive research initiatives and state-of-the-art deep-sea exploration infrastructure, which has enabled scientists to study the hadal zone in unprecedented detail.
JAMSTEC’s contributions go far beyond oceanic research, with a critical focus on enhancing global preparedness for natural disasters. Their pioneering work in deep-sea drilling, submersible technology, and ocean monitoring has not only led to major scientific discoveries but also played a pivotal role in understanding Tsunamigenic slip—an essential area of study for improving tsunami prediction and preparedness. This research is crucial for saving lives by providing the data needed to understand the mechanisms that trigger catastrophic underwater earthquakes and tsunamis, ultimately contributing to more effective disaster mitigation strategies worldwide.
This collaboration between JAMSTEC, NuStar Technologies, and artist Lakshmi Mohanbabu exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary partnerships. By blending art, science, and engineering, the Deepest Ocean Gallery becomes more than a creative project; it represents human ingenuity, exploration, and the life-saving potential of research. JAMSTEC’s unwavering commitment to discovery continues to shape the future of marine science, ensuring that the vast, uncharted depths of our planet not only inspire wonder but also contribute to safeguarding lives around the globe.
The D/V Chikyu, the world's first riser drilling-equipped science vessel, holds the record for drilling deeper below the seafloor than any other science drilling vessel.
https://www.jamstec.go.jp/chikyu/e/exp405/ https://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/ The Three Ocean Cubes Aboard the CHIKYU Before Their Descent into the Deep Ocean Gallery
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OCEAN FLOOR DESCENT - TRIAL RUN October 2023
The first phase of the Ocean Gallery project marked a historic milestone as the world’s very first art gallery descended into the deep ocean and journeyed back from its deepest depths. In October 2023, the sculptures were lowered to an unprecedented depth of 7 kilometers aboard JAMSTEC’s vessel Chikyu, the world’s first riser drilling-equipped science vessel. This groundbreaking trial descent into the Hadal Zone was a pivotal moment, testing the sculptures' resilience against the extreme pressures and harsh conditions of the deep ocean, ensuring their readiness for permanent installation in its mysterious depths.
Deep Ocean Gallery aboard the CHIKYU (JAMSTEC)
Ocean Cubes Trial Descent: LM02 I LM07 I LM03
COSMOS President Yamasati San
Deep Ocean Cubes handed over to JAMSTEC
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Handover of Deep Ocean Cubes from Nustar project Engineer Terence Lim (Right) to JAMSTEC Nori Kyo San (centre) and Tomo Saruhashi San (Left)
The First Deep Ocean art Images taken @7KM water depth
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FINAL INSTALLATION- WORLD’S FIRST DEEP OCEAN GALLERY 12-12-2024
On December 12, 2024, the final installation of the three ocean cubes took place at the bottom of the ocean, making the Ocean Gallery the first art gallery ever to be situated in the hadal zone. This groundbreaking installation reached a staggering depth of 7 kilometers, cementing its place as the deepest art gallery in the world. The cubes now rest at the most extreme depths of the ocean, marking a historic achievement in both art and scientific collaboration.
CHIKYU - Science Team with the Deep Ocean Gallery prior to descent
Reaching the Ocean Floor
Photo Credit: NuStar Technologies, JAMSTEC
ocean cubes: image gallery
Three sets of Ocean Floor cubes were created using 316-grade 3D-printed stainless steel for the Deep Ocean Gallery. The first set embarked on a trial mission, descending to a depth of 7 km before returning. The second set, designated for the final mission, includes one cube developed by scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), led by Assistant Professor C.Q. Lai, using their proprietary 3D printing technology, LAPIS, using 304 stainless steel.
Trial and Final Ocean Cubes serialised
Milestone commemoration event World’s Deepest Art Installation @art now
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