How can Bio-Strategies Inform Design for Sustainability?

The Paris Conference on Arts & Humanities 2023

Article selected for publication on IAFOR The International Research Forum after presented at PCAH2023 The Paris Conference on Arts & Humanities 2023

Article - Case Report

This article was aproved for publication in the scientific research journal IAFOR - Journal of Research and Arts Education published by Edições IPCB – Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco.

DOI: 10.22492/issn.2758-0970.2023.15
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It was a collaboration with Fabricademy my supervisors Gabriela Forman, PhD, from Lisbon School of Architecture, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal and Arlete Apolinário, PhD, from IFIMUP - Institute of Physics for Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology and Photonics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.

To cite this article:

Delgado C., Apolinário A., & Forman G. (2023) How can Bio-Strategies Inform Design for Sustainability? ISSN: 2758-0970 The Paris Conference on Arts & Humanities 2023 Official Conference Proceedings https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2758-0970.2023.15

Presentation

How Can Bio-strategies Inform Design for Sustainability? from IAFOR on Vimeo.

Abstract

This study presents a Nature-based Design project developed using Bio-strategies. Biophilia, Biomimicry and Biotechnology were used to explore seaweed-based materials for reusable food packaging. Biophilia is employed to evoke empathy towards Nature and embrace its natural aesthetics. Biomimicry serves as inspiration for a structure’s resilience, hydrophobic properties, and overall system and design. Biotechnology contributes to the development of products and materials derived from renewable biological sources.
The expected contributions lie in the realm of design development methods that address the product’s circular economy and environmental impact.
To create seaweed-based bio-plastic films and bio-yarns, a process was employed using sodium alginate (NaC6H7O6) and calcium chloride (CaCl2). The process involved different procedures: Firstly, the sodium alginate hydrogel was prepared by gelification, followed by hydrogel polymerisation using a calcium chloride solution. Moulding and extrusion techniques were employed to produce sodium-alginate biobased materials. Additionally, commercial natural fibres such as seaweed yarn and thread, linen thread, and sugar cane yarn, were coated with sodium-alginate bio-plastic using both bath and brush methods. The resulting bio-coated threads and yarns were knitted using knitting needles and a round plastic loom.
Furthermore, Rhino 6 was used for technical drawings and LaserWorks for the laser cutting to create 3D Design. A plywood 3D loom was developed to fabricate a grocery bag inspired by a spider web biosystem. The results of this study demonstrate the relevance of designing with Bio-strategies in the context of the circular economy, facilitating the development of bio-based and biodegradable materials.

Keywords

Bio-Strategies, Nature-Based Design, Packaging Design, Seaweed-Based Materials

Acknowledges

This work is financed by national funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., under the Strategic Project with the references UIDB/04008/2020 and UIDP/04008/2020, and by PhD Research Scholarship FCT 2021.04708.BD.

A. Apolinário acknowledges FCT, contract DL57/2016 (ref.SFRH/BPD/82010/2011) and projects H2FlexiPEC’s (ref. 2022.07332.PTDC), NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000076, CERN/FISTEC/ 0003/2019, UIDB/04968/2020, UIDB/04968/2021, LA/P/0095/2020.

The authors gratefully acknowledge TextileLab Amsterdam and Fabricademy collaboration.