7. BioFabricating Materials

Creating biomaterials involves exploring sustainable and innovative ways to develop materials using biological components. This week, we’ll be diving into techniques that transform natural resources into usable materials, potentially leveraging bio-based polymers, plant fibers, or microbial cultures. Through careful experimentation with biological ingredients and processes, we’ll aim to achieve unique material properties such as biodegradability, flexibility, and resilience. This approach not only promotes eco-friendly alternatives but also pushes the boundaries of material design by tapping into the inherent properties of living organisms.

Research

Watching Scarlett Yang's dress unfold must have felt like witnessing the spirit of nature embodied in fabric—a fusion of beauty, transience, and renewal. Feeling called to work with nettle resonates deeply with this, as if the plant itself is guiding your hands. There’s something profoundly touching about connecting with materials that speak to us, carrying the spirit of the earth in every fiber and reminding us of the life within the things we create.

References & Inspiration

Kelp-based materials are being developed into sustainable leather alternatives, offering durability, flexibility, and biodegradability. This innovation reduces reliance on animal leather and plastic-based synthetics, making fashion more eco-friendly. Learn more about Kelp Leather

Process and workflow

MANGO BIOLEATHER

Recipe Template

Developed by Loes Bogers for her Fabricademy 2019/2020 final project.

Physical Properties

Form: Solid, Surface

Natural Color (without additives): Translucent, yellow to orange-brown hues.

FABRICATION TIMELINE

Preparation Time: 1 hour

Processing Duration: Approximately 1 week

Detailed Drying Schedule

Initial Drying: 14 hours in an oven at a low temperature (40–50°C with fan setting).

Extended Drying: Alternate between air drying and pressing every 8 hours over the next 5 days. Outdoor drying can speed up the process if conditions are dry and sunny.

Final Form Achieved In: 7 days

This recipe template by Loes Bogers, developed for her Fabricademy 2019/2020 project, guides sustainable bio-based material crafting with reproducible results and eco-conscious design. text

Ingredients & Recipes

Prepare this recipe by collecting the ingredients necessary, to be found in the list below:

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Overripe mangoes - with skin: get these as waste from the market, they can have dents and bruises it doesn't matter.

• 1 lemon

• Beeswax: 20g

• Cinamon: 1 teaspoon

TOOLS

1. Cooker or stove: (optional: temperature controlled)

2. Pot

3. Blender or stick mixer

4. Scale

5. Oven or a Dehydrator machine :that can go as low as 50 degrees (or ideally 40) with ventilation

6. Mould or flat surface :you can cast the fruit leather into a shallow mould with wals (need not be higher than 5 mm) or cast directly onto a smooth sheet. Applying some oil helps to release it. Make sure it fits into your oven

7. Spoon or squeegee

Process

To make mango leather, blend mango into a puree and mix with lemon juice and chopped beeswax. Heat until thickened, then cast into a 3mm mold with a release agent. Dry at 50°C for 16 hours, flipping occasionally, then air dry for 5-7 days. Expect 50% shrinkage before trimming and storing.

Additional Experimentation

Adjust drying by controlling evaporation or adding starch. Cinnamon enhances color, aroma, and depth, creating a smooth, golden puree ready for processing.

Heat the mango, lemon, and cinnamon mixture on low, stirring for 20 minutes until it thickens and deepens in color. Avoid boiling to maintain texture and flavor.

RESULTS

After drying for up to seven days, I monitored shrinkage and deformation, ensuring the material hardened properly. Patience prevented warping or cracking, resulting in a durable, flexible finish.

For this experiment, I tried to assess the flexibility of the bio-plastic. By testing how it bends and stretches, I aimed to determine whether it could be used effectively in applications requiring pliability. Observing its behavior under different conditions helped me understand its potential and limitations, providing valuable insights into how it could be further developed or improved for future use.

Bio-plastic using gelatin

Ingredient	Quantity	Purpose
Gelatin powder	1 tbsp	Base material
Water	1/2 cup	Dissolves gelatin
Glycerin	1-2 tsp	Adds flexibility
Food color	Few drops	Adds vibrant color
Additives	Optional	Adds texture or effect

Working process

To create a gelatin-based bioplastic, mix 1 tablespoon of gelatin powder, 1/2 cup of water, 1-2 teaspoons of glycerin, and a few drops of food color in a heat-resistant bowl. Heat the mixture on low to medium heat while stirring constantly until the gelatin fully dissolves and forms a smooth, thick liquid. Pour the mixture into a greased mold or onto a flat surface, spreading it evenly if necessary. Let it dry at room temperature for 24-48 hours, depending on thickness and humidity, until it solidifies. Once dry, carefully peel off the bioplastic, which will be flexible, colorful, and biodegradable

Results

After 24 hours, the mixture has dried into a flexible, translucent sheet of bioplastic. The addition of glycerin has made it soft and stretchy, while the food coloring has given it a vibrant hue.

Algae string

Receip

• Blended sodium alginate, water, glycerin, and color into a smooth gel and let rest for a bit
• Prepared calcium bath by dissolving calcium chloride in water.
• Transferred gel into a syringe and dispensed into the calcium bath.
• Let sit for a few minutes before removing the strings.

Ingredients

Gel mixture * 1 tbsp sodium alginate * 1/2 cup water * 1 tbsp glycerin * 1 tsp food color

Calcium Bath * 2 cups water * 2 tsp calcium chloride

Recording and analyzing experiments

More to come

• The gelatin bioplastic turned out to be a success, proving to be unexpectedly durable. Its strength and flexibility exceeded expectations, making it a promising material for future projects.

• The algae strings behaved as expected, drying into stiff fibers that held their shape and structure well

• To improve flexibility and water resistance in mango bioleather, add glycerin for pliability, coconut oil or beeswax for water resistance, and starch or gelatin for enhanced texture and strength.