7. BioFabricating Materials¶
Research¶
Biomanufacturing materials are the biological and chemical substances used to produce therapeutic, industrial, and consumer products through living systems such as cells, enzymes, and microorganisms. These materials form the foundation of the biomanufacturing process, which integrates biotechnology, engineering, and material science to create products ranging from vaccines and biologics to biodegradable plastics and sustainable fuels.
Key materials include cell substrates (bacterial, yeast, mammalian, or plant cells), growth media (nutrient solutions supporting cell metabolism), and bioreactor materials (stainless steel, glass, or single-use polymers). Supporting components such as buffers, resins, and filtration membranes are essential for purification and downstream processing. Recent innovations emphasize biocompatible and sustainable materials, such as single-use bioprocessing systems made from recyclable polymers and bio-based feedstocks that reduce environmental impact.
Advances in synthetic biology and materials engineering have enabled the design of novel biomaterials, including engineered proteins, scaffolds for tissue regeneration, and nanomaterials for targeted drug delivery. Collectively, these materials are transforming global manufacturing by making processes more efficient, scalable, and environmentally sustainable.
Biomanufacturing materials thus play a critical role in modern industry—bridging biology and technology to address global challenges in health, energy, and the environment.
weekly assignment
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References & Inspiration¶
I am inspired by an African American Designer who has a company by the name of Jo-Anne Vernay, which is positioned as a luxury vegan footwear and accessories brand. Their flagship product line uses fruit-based materials (e.g., pineapple leaf fibre, apple leather) offering cruelty-free alternatives to traditional leather. The brand emphasises handmade craftsmanship in Italy, limited quantities (slow fashion), and sustainable values: “merges sustainability with style”. 
- Two images side-by-side
Pictures from https://joannevernay.com/
- Image reference
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 |
Tools¶
Process and workflow¶
My first step was too..... First, I mixed the gelatin with water. Once it dissloved, I slowly added the glycerine until a gentle boil. The mixture had a honey-like consistency. Afterwards, the mixture was placed in the mold and dried for 3 days.
Ingredients & Recipes¶
Prepare this recipe 1 by collecting the ingredients necessary, to be found in the list below:
* 48 gr of gelatin
* 24 gr of glycerine
* 250 ml of H2O
Documenting and comparing experiments¶
TEST SERIE BIO-PLASTIC¶
| Material pic | Material name | polymer | plastifier | filler | emulsifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
bio-resin | gelatin powder 48 gr | glycerine 24 gr | water 240 ml |
RESULTS¶
Two ways of showcasing and comparing results with images below
On the left an image of a sample made by gelatin with glyercine. The dye is a pinkish color. On the right, an image of a sample pull out and it's a bit sticky.
* 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
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Recipes¶
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recipe: salmon skin fish-leather ↩