7. BioFabricating Materials¶
Introduction¶
During Biofabricating Week, we explored the innovative process of creating bioplastics using a variety of natural ingredients. This hands-on experience involved following different recipes to create materials that are eco-friendly and sustainable. The goal was to experiment with combining natural materials, like starch, agar, and gelatin, to make custom bioplastics that can be molded and used in various applications.
For me, this was my first time working with bioplastics, and it was an exciting opportunity to learn about alternative materials that can replace traditional, petroleum-based plastics. By experimenting with different ingredients and recipes, we created a range of unique materials, each with its own texture, flexibility, and properties. This week gave me valuable insight into the potential of biofabrication in design and sustainability.
Experimenting¶
BioYarns¶
* 12 gr alginate
* 40 gr glycerine
* 400 ml water
* 10 ml Sodium Chloride hydrate
* 100 ml water
* large pot
* syringe
* mixer
* food coloring (optional)
* prepare de alginate + water + glycerin a day before you make the yarns => so that the air (bubbles) disappear
* (optional) Separate the mix and add some color => I used some micas and food coloring
* prepare the sodium chloride with water => that's where the yarns will get solid
* add the alginate mix into the syringe and, with the same pressure, start generating the yarns let them fall into the chloride water
* let them rest form a while in the solution them let them dry
To create the bioyarns the first that needs to be done is the mix which will then turn into the actual material. When working with alginate the mix needs to be "cured" with water and sodium chloride hydrate. This water mix will be where the bioyarns will be created.
As an experiment I wanted to color the bioyarn with different food colourings. I tried several shades of blue, pink and purple.
After leaving the bioyarn for a couple of days I found out that the material shrinks and it looses all of its flexibility and softness.
Bioplastics¶
Gelatine¶
BioResin
* 48 gr gelatine
* 8 gr glycerine
* 240 ml water
* 1 tbsp dried flowers
* heat
* mixer
* pot
* mold
* alcohol
* measure ingridientes
* combine de water with the gelatine powder and mix
* heat the mix until it boils and then cook it for 5-10 mins
* add the flowers and mix a litlle more
* pour the resin into de mold previously desinfected with some alcohol
BioFoam
* 48 gr gelatine
* 12 gr glycerine
* 240 gr water
* 10 ml soap
* heat
* milk foamer/ mixer
* pot
* mold
* alcohol
* measure ingridientes
* combine de water with the gelatine powder and mix
* heat the mix until it boils and then cook it for 5-10 mins
* add the soap once the gelatine is cookes => mix it generatin bubbles
* pour the resin into de mold previously desinfected with some alcohol
BioPlastic
* 672 gr gelatine
* 168 gr glycerine
* 2838 ml water
* 522 ml vinegar
* 35 gr dried flowers
* heat
* mixer
* pot
* mold
* alcohol
* measure ingridientes
* combine de water with the gelatine powder and mix
* heat the mix until it boils and then cook it for 5-10 mins
* add the flowers and mix a litlle more
* pour the resin into de mold previously desinfected with some alcohol
Agar¶
BioPlastic 1
* 4 gr agar
* 3 ml glycerine
* 400 ml water
* heat
* mixer
* pot
* mold
* alcohol
* measure ingridientes
* combine de water with the agar and glycerine and mix
* heat the mix until at 80º and then cook it for 15-20 mins
* pour the mix into de mold previously desinfected with some alcohol
BioPlastic 2
* 4 gr agar
* 12 ml glycerine
* 200 ml water
* heat
* mixer
* pot
* mold
* alcohol
* measure ingridientes
* combine de water with the agar and glycerine and mix
* heat the mix until at 80º and then cook it for 15-20 mins
* pour the mix into de mold previously desinfected with some alcohol
SAdly all the agar bioplastics molded :(
Pectin¶
* 292 gr Yerba mate
* 2.200 ml water
* 300 gr glycerine
* 150 gr pectin
* heat
* hand mixer
* pot
* mold
* sieve
* coffee grinder
* measure ingridients
* grind and sieve the mate
* combine de water + pectine + glycerine
* heat the mix until and then cook it for 5-10 mins as you add the filler making sure the are no lumps
* pour the mix into de mold previously desinfected with some alcohol
Kombucha¶
* 1l water
* 8 gr black tea
* 120 gr sugar
* piece of kombucha mother
3D printing¶
Clay extrussion¶
Biomass extrussion¶
Test 1
* 4 gr sodium alginate
* 5 gr cmc
* 200 ml H2o
* 1 tbsp glycerol
* 5 spoons wood dust
* hand blender
* measuring cup
* measure ingridients
* combine all the ingridients but the filler and mix it with the blender
* sieve the wood dust
* add the filler (wood dust) slowly as you mix it with the hand blender
* it is ready once you have an uniform paste
Test 2
* 8 gr xantana
* 200 ml H2o
* 17 tbsp wood dust
* hand blender
* measuring cup
* measure ingridients
* combine all the ingridients but the filler and mix it with the blender
* sieve the wood dust
* add the filler (wood dust) slowly as you mix it with the hand blender
* it is ready once you have an uniform paste