7. BioFabricating Materials¶
What the week looked like¶
This week was Diwali vacation here in India and I was thankful that me and Shefali had already attempted the recepies for this week. I spent a lot of the week researching and looking at creations made from BioMaterials that were of interest to me.
Takeaways from Global Session¶
Checklist for the week¶
Personal thoughts and Ideas¶
So far, when i imagined my Final project, i was only thinking about more of digital prototyping based ready made materials. However, looking at the explorations that Cecelia shared, i have been considering expanding my research into potential not-ready made materials.
I have become particularly interested in using human and animal hair as a raw material, along with exploring how far can BioLeather be pushed with regards to its strength as a potential fabric.
Research & Inspiration¶
- Human Material Loop
- Zsofia Kollar
- Studio Savine
- Future Materials Bank
- How to make human hair yarn
Tools & Materials¶
TOOLS:¶
- Steel containers/ bowls/ pans (min 1 per material)
- Gas/ Stove/ Induction
- Electric Blender (very important)
- Measurement tools (cups, scales, spoons)
- Silicon molds / Baking tray (to cast the material)
- Tea Spoon / Stirring Spoon
- Gloves
- Rags
MATERIALS:¶
- Agar Powder
- Gelatin Powder
- Cornstarch Powder
- Vinegar bottle (small)
- Glycerin bottle (small)
- Food colourings (various preferable)
- Water
Work Flow:¶
Choosing Recepies¶
To begin with, it is extremely important to figure out the recipies that you have the resources and bandwidth to work on. For us, Shefali took the lead here to shortlist a long list of potential ones we could experiment with.
We arrived at the final ones primarily based on what all could be accomodated at her mom's kitchen (which is where we worked this week). We also ensured that we looked at recepies that required non-exotic inexpensive produce that we could pickup from the local market.
Most of the factors that influenced our decision were based on the number of tools needed, the relative ease of the entire process and number of simultaneous stoves we had access to. Luckily for us, aunty had a 5 gas stove so we were able to work on 5 recipies simultaneously!
Preparing Workspace¶
This, according to me, is one of the MOST important step, once the materials have been sourced and recipies finalised.
Based on the instructions for making the shortlisted recipies, it was apparent that having a workspace with ample shelf surfaces and undisturbed storage space is most important, since a lot of experimentations need to be laid out, while working simultaneously on recepies.
The next important element for us was access to ample stoves/ heating devices and random kitchen utensils; sometimes to decant and other times to stir or hold.
We also had the privilege of access to a sink and help with cleaning. Based on the number of swatches we made, we did create quite a mess in the kitchen, and having constant assiatance really helped.
Making 'Grown Materials'¶
Agar based Bio-Plastic¶
* 1 teaspoon Agar powder
* 3 tablespoons Water
* 1 tablespoon Glycerin
* 1 drop food coloring *(we used green)*
Preparing:
* In a small pan, mix the agar powder with water.
* Heat on low untill the mixture thickens, stirring constantly.
* Add glycerin and continue stirring untill smooth.
* We added green food colouring for a slight tint.
Casting:
* Pour the mixture onto a flat surface or mold.
* Let it cool and harden for about 24 hours.
Gelatin & Glycerin based Bio-Plastic¶
* 3 tablespoon Gelatin
* 1 tablespoon Glycerin
* 1/2 cup Water
* 1 drop food colouring *(we used orange)*
Mixing:
* Heat water in a pan until warm (but not boiling), and dissolve the gelatin in it.
* Add glycerin and stir untill fully mixed.
* We added orange food colouring for a slight tint.
Casting:
* Pour the mixture onto a flat surface or mold.
* Let it cool and harden for about 24 hours.
Potato Starch based Bio-Plastic¶
* 1 large Potato (to extract starch)
* 1 tablespoon Vinegar
* 1 tablespoon Glycerin
* 2 cups Water
* 1 drop food coloring *(we used blue)*
Preparing:
* Grate the potato and soak it in water for 10 minutes.
* Strain the water into another bowl and let it sit for 10 minutes. Starch will settle at the bottom.
* Pour off the water, leaving the starch behind.
Mixing:
* In a pan, mix the potato starch with water, vinegar and glycerin.
* Heat the mixture on low, stirring untill it thickens.
* We added blue food colouring for a slight tint.
Casting:
* Pour the mixture onto a flat surface or mold.
* Allow it cool and dry for 24-48 hours.
Banoffee Leather¶
* 4 Banana peels
* 1 tablespoon Coffee ground
* 1 tablespoon Glycerin
* 1 tablespoon Vinegar
* 2 cups Water
Preparing:
* Boil the banana peels in water for 30 mins to soften them.
* Once they cool a little, blend the boiled peels into a smooth paste.
Mixing:
* In a pan, take the paste and put the coffee ground, while heating.
* Add glycerin and vinegar and keep stirring until it thickens.
Casting:
* Pour the mixture onto a flat surface or mold.
* Allow it cool and dry for about 1-2 days.
Spinach Leaf Bio-Plastic¶
* 2 cups fresh Spinach (or other leafy greens)
* 1 tablespoon Cornstarch
* 1 tablespoon Vinegar
* 1 tablespoon Glycerin
Preparing:
* Boil the spinach leaves in water for about 30 mins untill they are soft.
* Blend the boiled leaves into a paste.
Mixing:
* In a pan, mix the leaf paste with coenstarch, vinegar and glycerin.
* Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly untill it thickens.
Casting:
* Pour the mixture onto a flat surface or mold.
* Let it cool and dry for 1-2 days.
Making 'Crafted Materials'¶
Lab was inaccesible due to vacations so will be attempting this later. Kambucha kit is ready.
Prepare - Mix - Cast - Dry
Material Analysis¶
Agar based Bio-Plastic¶
* Size :
* Thickness :
* Surface : Textured Matt
* Sight : Translucent
* Bendable
* Slight Stretch
* Not Strong
* Lightweight
* Rubbery
* Time to dissolve in Water : ?
* Time to freeze and unfreeze : ?
* Time to dehydrate : ?
* Time to disssolve in Acid / Alkali : ?
* Time to melt / burn under Heat : ?
* Time to melt / burn under Fire : ?
Gelatin & Glycerin based Bio-Plastic¶
* Size :
* Thickness :
* Surface : Glossy Shiny Smooth
* Sight : Transparent
* Bendable
* Stretch
* Strong
* Lightweight
* Rubbery
* Time to dissolve in Water : ?
* Time to freeze and unfreeze : ?
* Time to dehydrate : ?
* Time to disssolve in Acid / Alkali : ?
* Time to melt / burn under Heat : ?
* Time to melt / burn under Fire : ?
Potato Starch based Bio-Plastic¶
* Size :
* Thickness :
* Surface : Textured Smooth Shiny
* Sight : Translucent
* Bendable
* Stretch
* Fragile
* Lightweight
* Rubbery
* Time to dissolve in Water : ?
* Time to freeze and unfreeze : ?
* Time to dehydrate : ?
* Time to disssolve in Acid / Alkali : ?
* Time to melt / burn under Heat : ?
* Time to melt / burn under Fire : ?
Qualities/ Characteristics - Smooth / Rough - Pattern / Textured - Woven / Layered - Opaque / Translucent - Matt / Shiny
Banoffee Leather¶
* Size :
* Thickness :
* Surface : Fibrous Woven Rough Textured
* Sight : Opaque Shiny
* Bendable
* Stretch
* Strong
* Lightweight
* Rubbery
* Time to dissolve in Water : ?
* Time to freeze and unfreeze : ?
* Time to dehydrate : ?
* Time to disssolve in Acid / Alkali : ?
* Time to melt / burn under Heat : ?
* Time to melt / burn under Fire : ?
Spinach Leaf Bio-Plastic¶
* Size :
* Thickness :
* Surface : Textured
* Sight : Opaque
* Bendable
* Stretch
* Fragile
* Lightweight
* Rubbery
* Time to dissolve in Water : ?
* Time to freeze and unfreeze : ?
* Time to dehydrate : ?
* Time to disssolve in Acid / Alkali : ?
* Time to melt / burn under Heat : ?
* Time to melt / burn under Fire : ?
Material Testing¶
Production Technique¶
Foil cast / 3D cast / Re(cast) / Coated / Merged / Glued
Can try glued
Enhancing Technique¶
Sanding / Lasercut outlines / Engraving surface / Dyeing / Printing
Can try laser + engrave + sanding + printing
Structural Techniques¶
Milling Surfacing / 3D shaping / Thermoforming / Weave / Braid / Knit / Lasercutting
Can try Laser + shaping + pressing if it is gooey
Material Application Hypothesis¶
Material Lifecycle stages Hypothesis¶
Can attempt based on the materials that survie Bombay weather
Material Library¶
Learnings¶
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Being cognisant of our scope of setup/ infrastructre really helped us be efficent with the sort of recepies that we picked up and the variations that we could experiment with. There are learnings from simpler experiments as well. And these experiments offered us a lot of scope to push for more explorations.
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I was really thankful that we were experimenting in a Kitchen. Had it been a lab, i doubt we could find as innovative solutions on such short notice. Hopefully, for next time, we can furnish our lab better to be able to forsee this.
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It was intersting to see colours darken/ lighten once the biomaterials dried. Also did not expect the materials to be so malleable once they dried down.
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This week i got to work together with Shefali and working together really was beautiful teamwork where we could support each other and fill in the gaps. It was a nudge for me to try attempting more challenging experimental projects together.
People to thank for this week¶
Shefali: whose research on recepies and insights ensured this week was as smoothsailing as possible
Shefali's Mom: without whose support, be it her Kitchen or her quick wit throughout, this week's project would not have been possible at all!! She opened up her entire kitchen and resources for our experimentation and i will forever be grateful.
This week in emojis: 🤩😲🤌🥺🫡🤝🧑🍳🤳🧑💻😅¶
- Image reference
- Download reference
Links to reference files, PDF, booklets,
about your images..
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Remember to credit/reference all your images to their authors. Open source helps us create change faster together, but we all deserve recognition for what we make, design, think, develop.
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remember to resize and optimize all your images. You will run out of space and the more data, the more servers, the more cooling systems and energy wasted :) make a choice at every image :) This image is optimised in size with resolution 72 and passed through tinypng for final optimisation.
Overview material research outcomes¶
example from the documentation of Loes Bogers TextileLab Amsterdam 2019-20
| Biofoam |
Gelatin foil |
Bioresin |
Biosilicone |
| Starch Rubber |
Biolinoleum |
Alginate net |
Alginate foil |
| Alginate string |
Agar foil |
Bio composite |
Reused PLA |
Ingredients & Recipes¶
Prepare this recipe 1 by collecting the ingredients necessary, to be found in the list below:
* xxx gr
* xxx gr
* xxx gr
* xxx ml
* xxx gr
* xxx gr
* xxx gr
* xxx gr
* xxx ml
* xxx gr
* measure - measure - measure
* add, combine, mix..
* simmer, cook, boil, freeze, burn, crush...
* mix, smash, stack, overlay..
* cast, pour, press..
* dry, aereate, dehydrate..
* remove, peel, unmold..
* finishing touches
Documenting and comparing experiments¶
TEST SERIE BIO-PLASTIC¶
| Material pic | Material name | polymer | plastifier | filler | emulsifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
bio-rainbow | biokelp powder 12 gr | glycerol 100 ml | rainbow dust 1 kg | green soap a drop |
|
bio-rainbow | biokelp powder 12 gr | glycerol 100 ml | rainbow dust 1 kg | green soap a drop |
|
bio-rainbow | biokelp powder 12 gr | glycerol 100 ml | rainbow dust 1 kg | green soap a drop |
|
bio-rainbow | biokelp powder 12 gr | glycerol 100 ml | rainbow dust 1 kg | green soap a drop |
RESULTS¶
Two ways of showcasing and comparing results with images below
On the left an image of a sample made by xxx with xxx. The dye is more xxx. On the right, an image of a sample made by xxx with xxx and xxx. Here the dye is more xxx.
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Recipes¶
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recipe: salmon skin fish-leather ↩