SIMULEATHER¶
7. BioFabricating Materials¶
Research¶
References & Inspiration¶
Bompas & Parr – Experiential edible installations.
Marije Vogelzang – Design for emotional and sensory nourishment.
Julia Lohmann – Kelp-based bioplastics and sustainable forms.
Ferran Adrià & José Andrés – Molecular gastronomy pioneers.
Top Chef / Chef's Table – Precision + theatre in material presentation.
Local Ingredients – Tea, beer, wine, glycerine, gelatin, and fruit pulp.
Tools¶
*Tool* *Purpose*
Beaker or Mixing Bowl Mix alginate + ingredients
Dropper or Spoon Create pods
Immersion bath container Holds calcium solution for spherification
Scale Measure ingredients accurately
Strainer / Slotted spoon Retrieve pods from bath
Drying surface To test drying or dehydration
Gloves, apron Hygiene + protection
Optional:
- Pipette or syringe for smaller capsules
- Silicone mold for shape consistency
- Dehydrator or fan for drying
3D BIO PRINTING¶
INGREDIENTS¶
- Cellulose cmc
- Glycerine
- Orange & avocado dust
- Calcium Carbonate
- Water
TOOLS¶
- Bowl
- Handmixer
- 3D Printer
RECIPE¶
- measure
- add, combine, mix
- let it sit overnight
- put to extrude
- turn 3d printer on and connect pc
- set the file on Cura
- take the file to repetier
- print
- let it air dry
DOCUMENTATION CRAFTED BIO-MATERIALS¶
Material pic | Material name | polymer | plastifier | filler | emulsifier |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Bio-yarn | Alginate 12 gr | Glycerol 90 gr | Water 600ml | Calcium Chloryde |
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Pink bio-yarn | Alginate 12 gr | Glycerol 90 gr | water 600ml | Calcium Chloryde |
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Gold bio-yarn | Alginate 12 gr | Glycerol 90 gr | water 600ml | Calcium Chloryde |
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Pink Bio-leather | Alginate 12 gr | Glycerol 90 gr | water 600ml | Calcium Chloryde |
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Gold Bio-leather | Alginate 12 gr | Glycerol 90 gr | water 600ml | Calcium Chloryde |
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Bio-plastic | Gelatine 48 gr | Glycerin 48 gr | water 240ml | - |
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Bio-plastic | Gelatine 48 gr | Glycerin 48 gr | water 240ml | Dish soap |
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Bio-plastic Agar Agar | Agar Agar 10 gr | Glycerin 16 gr | Water 300ml | - |
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Bio-resin | Pine Resin 45 gr | Alcohol 20ml | Wood dust 40 gr | Carnauba wax 5 gr |
- When working with gelatine, add cinnamon for antibacterial properties
- Remove the mold from the gelatin with alcohol
BIO-YARN¶
- measure ingredients
- make mix 1: alginate + glycerol
- mix the two without making bubbles
- make mix 2: water + calcium chloryde
- divide if you want to colour
- fill syringe with mix 1
- press syringe with mix 1 into bowl with mix 2
- remove yarn and rinse in water
- hang to dry
CRAFTED MATERIAL 2: BIOPLASMA ELECTRODES¶
These conductive biofilms were created as part of my wearable tech research for BISHSTIM. I developed used two different recipes that integrate bioplasma into soft, flexible plastic materials suitable for use as wearable electrodes.
RECIPE 1 Half&Half Corn Starch & Agar¶
This recipe blends two techniques into one batch for layered effects.
INGREDIENTS¶
CORN STARCH MIX
- 20g glycerine
- 80ml bioplasma
- 1.6g corn starch
- 15ml vinegar
AGAR AGAR MIX
- 5.4g glycerine
- 40ml bioplasma
- 1.6g agar agar
PROCESS¶
- CORN STARCH MIX
- Combine ingredients in a pot
- Cook over medium heat, stirring for 10 minutes until thickened
- let excess liquid evaporate
2. AGAR AGAR MIX
- combine ingredients in a pot
- cook over medium heat until boiling and viscous
- skim froth for clarity
- Stir to combine corn starch and agar agar mixtures into one pot
- Pour mixture into cast and allow to air dry
RECIPE 2 Gelatine¶
INGREDIENTS¶
- 7.2g glycerine
- 60ml bioplasma
- 12g gelatine
PROCESS¶
- Combine all ingredients in a pot
- Cook over medium heat while stirring until fully dissolved
- Allow solution to thicken slightly
- Remove froth for smooth finish
- Pour mixture into cast and allow too air dry
CASTING BIO-LEATHER¶
- set a waterproof fabric to pour the mixture into
- spray some of mix 2 onto the cast
- pour mix 1 into cast
- spray again mix 2 on top of casted mix 1
- clean the cast with water
- set to dry for up to days
OBSERVATIONS & REFLECTIONS¶
- Gelatine has a smoother surface, great for skin contact
- Glycerine ratios affected gloss and flexibility
I made these bioplasma plastics specifically for skin contact and conductivity. Testing different bio-polymer bases helped me understand texture, drying time, and conductivity for wearable use. These materials will serve as electrode layers for future BishStim prototypes.
GROWN MATERIALS¶
DOCUMENTATION LIVING BIO-MATERIALS¶
Material pic | Material name | polymer | plastifier | filler | emulsifier |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Bio-material | Mycelium | Distilled water | straw & sawdust | Xanthan gum & flour |
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Bio-leather | Kombucha | Wine 0.75L | Sugar 100g | Vinegar |
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Bio-leather | Kombucha | Water 8L | Tea bags x2 | Vinegar |
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Bio-leather | Kombucha | Beer 300ml | Water 300ml | Vinegar 60g |
Steps for Bio-Material Mycelium¶
Sterilize everything!!! (tools, lab & materials)
- put materials in autoclave bags (these dont melt)
- pour approx. 4ml of water in the bottom of the pressure cooker
- pressure cook straw 40 mins
- pressure cook tools 20 mins
- take out materials always being mindful of contamination
- make small pieces of mycelium
- put materials (straw, mycelium, distilled water, xanthan gum, flour and sawdust) into a bowl
- mix everything with your hands using gloves and always sterilizing with alcohol before touching the mycelium
- if mix is too dry, add a bit more water
- pour the mix into casts
- press the mix into the cast
- cover with foil making sure its tight
- leave in a dark room to set
Steps for Bio-Leather Komucha Tea¶
- add tea bags into growth bowl with distilled water
- check PH
- cut a thick piece of mother scoby
- add sooby to tea mix
- cover the growth bowl with cotton fabric
- let rest and dont move for min 1 month
Steps for Bio-Leather Komucha Wine¶
- pour wine into growth bowl
- add sugar and vinegar
- check ph
- cut piece of mother scoby
- add scoby to wine mix
- cover the growth bowl with cotton fabric
- let rest and dont move for min 1 month
Steps for Bio-Leather Komucha Beer¶
- pour beer into growth bowl with distilled water
- add sugar and vinegar
- check ph
- cut piece of mother scoby
- add scoby to beer mix
- cover the growth bowl with cotton fabric
- let rest and dont move for min 1 month
- PH level should be between 3 - 4.5
- Scoby (Symbioticc Culture of Bacteria and Yeast)
- Kombucha is a microbial colony of bacterial yeast
RESULTS¶
Reflection & Unexpected Discoveries¶
Working with organic matter taught me that no two batches are ever the same. Some surprises:
- Kombucha leather grown from beer was more fragile and patchy than tea or wine.
- Mycelium took longer to colonize the straw than expected—likely due to moisture content and compaction.
- Alginate-based yarns dry with better strength when air-cured slowly instead of near a heat source.
- Some bioplastics with dish soap became unexpectedly foamy, useful for cushioning or foamed structures.
This week helped me rethink materials as living, evolving collaborators instead of static tools. Failures became fertile ground for future recipes.
Final Thoughts¶
This process reminded me that making biomaterials is both art and experiment. There’s alchemy in each batch—and joy in the mess. These materials are tactile stories in progress, and I’m excited to keep developing their character and application within wearable healing tech like BishStim.
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Recipes¶
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BIOPLASMA ELECTRODE RESULT¶
@bishgosh new set of bioplasma infused electrodes x #biomaterials #electro #bioplasma #pemf ♬ she was a fairy - ⋆. 𐙚 ̊Dee ❀
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OTHER TESTED RECIPES¶
SEAMOSS GUMMIES¶
MANGO MARGARITA PODS¶
INGREDIENTS – Pod Mix (Makes 10–15 pods)¶
Ingredient | Amount | Function |
---|---|---|
Mango puree (fresh or frozen) | 1 cup | Adds pulp + flavor; acts as filler |
Sodium alginate | 2 tsp | Bio-polymer gelling agent |
Lime juice | 1 tbsp | pH + citrus flavor & scent |
Sea salt | ¼ tsp | Ionic balance + taste |
Tequila (optional) | 1 tsp | Aromatic component |
Distilled water | 1 cup | Dilutes the base for smooth drop formation |
INGREDIENTS – Spherification Bath¶
Ingredient | Amount | Function |
---|---|---|
Calcium lactate or chloride | 1 tsp | Reacts with alginate to form gel membrane |
Distilled water | 2 cups | Medium for the bath |
TOOLS¶
- Blender
- Bowls
- Dropper / pipette / spoon
- Fine mesh strainer or slotted spoon
- Gloves
Optional: silicone mold, dehydrator, pH test strips
Process and workflow¶
PREP:¶
- Prepare the Pod Mix
- Blend mango, lime juice, salt, tequila, and water until smooth.
- Add sodium alginate slowly while blending.
-
Let rest for 10–15 minutes to remove bubbles.
-
Prepare Calcium Bath
-
Dissolve calcium salt into water. Stir well.
-
Form Pods
- Drop the mango-alginate mixture into the calcium bath with a dropper.
- Let sit for 30–60 seconds (longer = thicker shell).
-
Remove gently and rinse in clean water.
-
Optional Experiments
- Dry on a glass or silicone surface for 24h → forms a transparent film.
- Freeze to test resilience.
- Add edible glitter, pigment, or essential oils.