7. BioFabricating Materials¶
Research¶
Biomaterials are materials derived from renewable biological sources—such as plants, algae, bacteria, or waste biomass—designed to replace or complement conventional synthetic materials. Unlike petroleum-based plastics and composites, biomaterials are developed with sustainability and environmental regeneration in mind. Their growing use across industries—packaging, construction, textiles, and even medicine—offers significant environmental advantages. The Bioplastics Innovation Hub (BIH) is a research and development initiative created through a collaboration between CSIRO (Australia’s national science agency) and Murdoch University. Officially launched in September 2024, the Hub’s main goal is to develop 100% compostable bioplastics made from organic waste, helping reduce plastic pollution and support Australia’s transition toward a circular, bio-based economy.
Weekly assignment
- Include some inspiration: research on artists, projects, platforms that work with biomaterials, local ingredients and resources.
- Produce at least one crafted and one grown material: Crafted material - explore the different recipes and understand how to adjust them based on the ingredients: Grown material - explore the different recipes and understand how to adjust them based on the ingredients.
- Document your recipes, the ingredients and process and if there have been changes, document your unexpected discoveries.
- Name your materials, classify them by typology and display them in a systematic order of samples.
- Submit some of your swatches to the analog material library of your lab.
References & Inspiration¶
I was truly inspired by Vivien Roussel’s presentation and his fascinating work with biohybrid devices. The way he blends technology and living materials opened my eyes to new creative possibilities. His experiments with giant kombucha structures, merging organic growth with design, were especially captivating. It’s incredible how he uses nature not just as inspiration, but as an active collaborator in the creation process. His approach made me reflect on the potential of combining science, art, and sustainability to shape innovative and more harmonious futures.
- Image reference: Left. Game control Vivien Roussel. Right. Giant kombucha. Vivien Roussel.
Tools & Materials¶
- Gelatine powder, Agar agar powder
- Glycerine, soap, food colorant, kombucha SCOBY
- Pots, jars, embroidery hoops, wooden spoons
- Digital scale
- Molds, textiles, textures, etc
- Agar agar foil recipe
- Biofoam recipe
- Kombucha fruit leather
Process and workflow¶
Crafted materials:
Bio-plastic: using Agar agar, one without colorant and the other with colorant. Bio-foam: using food colorant.
Grown material: kombucha leather.
Ingredients & Recipes¶
Agar-foil:
* Agar agar 5gr
* Glycerine 15gr
* Water 250 ml
* Scale
* Pot and Bowl
* Wooden spoon
* Fabric
* Embroidery hoop
* Prepare the casting surface(the embroidery hoop with the fabric).
* Weight the ingredients.
* Boil the water
* Add the glycerine and the agar.
* The seconf time I added the green colorant.
* Stirred until the agar disolved.
* When the agar dsisolved I lowered the temperatured and continue stirring
until the consistency became like syrup.
* Pour it onto the mold.
* Let it dry for three days.
* Pour it onto the mold.
* Recipe: https://class.textile-academy.org/2020/loes.bogers/files/recipes/agarfoil/
Biofoam:
* Gelatine powder 14gr
* Glycerine 14gr
* Water 160 ml
* Dishwashing soap 1tsp
* Scale
* Pot and Bowl
* Wooden spoon
* Fabric
* Embroidery hoop
* Prepare the casting surface(the embroidery hoop with the fabric).
* Weight the ingredients.
* Boil the water and add the blue natural dye.
* Add the glycerine and the gelatine and my mistake I added the soap.
* keep the temperature below 80 degrees celcius while stirring gently, until the gelatine is dissolved.
* Simmer and slowly stir the mixture between 60-80 degrees celcius for 20 minutes or until it's thick like a syrup or honey.
* Whisk vigorously to create foam bubbles and simmer for another 2-5 minutes until the mixture thickens.
* Stir slowly to let the bigger bubbles pop until you have a foam with small bubbles.
* Pour it onto the mold.
* Let it dry for three days.
* Recipe: https://class.textile-academy.org/2020/loes.bogers/files/recipes/biofoam/
Kombucha leather:
* 2 cups kombucha SCOBY, cut into small pieces
* 1/2 cup pear puree
* 1/4 cup water
* 2 tablespoons sweetener,agave syrup
* Scale
* Jar
* Fabric
* Embroidery hoop
* Prepare the casting surface(the embroidery hoop with the fabric).
* Weight the ingredients.
* Blend the ingredients:
Combine the cut SCOBY, fruit puree, water, and sweetener in a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined, adding more liquid if needed to reach a consistency similar to thick butter.
* Spread the mixture:
Pour the mixture onto a sheet of parchment paper and spread it out into a thin, even layer. A spatula can be used to ensure an even thickness, about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
* Cool and cut:
Let the leather cool completely. Once cool, cut it into desired shapes using a sharp knife or scissors.
* Recipe: Google AI search.
Documenting and comparing experiments¶
TEST SERIE¶
| Material pic | Material name | polymer | plastifier | filler | emulsifier |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
bio-plastic | Agar agar 12 gr | glycerine 15gr | water 250 ml | |
 |
bio-plastic | Agar agar 14 gr | glycerine 15 gr | water 250 ml | green natural dye |
 |
bio-foam | Gelatine powder 12 gr | glycerine 14 gr | water 160 ml | green soap a drop |
 |
bio-leather | Kombucha SCOBY | agave syrup | water 1/4 cup | pear pure 1/2 cup |
RESULTS¶
On the left, the agar foil with green colorant. We noticed how it shrugged. On the right, an image of the agar foil without colorant. Here we can see that is thinner than the left foil.
Learning outcome & observations¶
During my bioplastic experiments, I observed that increasing the amount of glycerine resulted in a thicker final product. The materials tended to shrink after two days and appeared dry at that point, but I allowed them to dry for an additional day to ensure completeness.
In subsequent attempts, I used a smoother and tighter surface to produce a thinner, more even foil.
For the biofoam, I made a mistake and added the dishwasher soap together with the glycerine, and I got a lot of bubbles quickly. However, I liked the consistency in the end.
Kombucha leather, I found a kombucha fruit leather recipe in a Google search. I followed the process, and I am still waiting for the results.