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Symbiotic Microorganism

A design journey about microorganism and smell.

#2 Reference  2022.7.17

I studied a few cases related to my topic and drew some lessons and inspiration from them.

Due to the limited space, I cannot display all the text and picture information, but all the works are quoted.  Thank the authors of these excellent works and express my gratitude and respect to them. 

1.Power Mutualism

Reference source: https://www.xiaohongshu.com/discovery/item/618e0c6800000000010297b6?share_from_user_hidden=true&xhsshare=WeixinSession&appuid=5ee36c5300000000010057f4&apptime=1658298012

Power Mutualism is a wearable self-driven cyanobacteria Power generation material, which can obtain nutrients from human sweat, sunlight and air and release electrical energy through photosynthesis and respiration of cyanobacteria, providing green energy for small smart wearable devices, freeing them from external Power supply charging, battery replacement and other restrictions. To meet the distributed energy demand of wearable sensor network and Internet of Things in the near future.

The project is based on interdisciplinary knowledge of the biological mechanism and cultivation methods of cyanobacteria, the preparation technology of microalgal photovoltaic cells, electrochemical measurement, and biowearable electronics. Therefore, the interdisciplinary nature is one of the biggest highlights of this invention. That is, biological engineering and digital means are integrated with design thinking. In Power Mutualism, nature, human and computer become an organic whole of Mutualism.

Reference points:

Making use of the "abandoned" abundant biomass in cyanobacteria water and the "useless" energy in the human environment.

2.Unfold

Reference source: https://www.xiaohongshu.com/discovery/item/62cbce7b000000000102471c?secondshare=weixin&share_from_user_hidden=true

Studio Lionne van Deursen exhibited its 3D design using biofilms made from bacterial cellulose, a symbiotic culture of microbes and yeast that turns solid when dried. The samples have varying transparency and are dyed with natural dyes obtained from local fruit and vegetable waste. The studio believes the material could have a variety of applications, with products made from biofilms that can be fully composted at the end of their life and are 100 percent biodegradable when put into the soil.

Unfold uses simple folding techniques to produce dynamic structures that contract and expand when the material is bent. "These shapes are the result of different folding experiments on the sheet," Van Deursen said. "By geometrically folding biofilms, different folding patterns can be made. These folded grids can be bent in different positions to form a variety of shapes."

The studio previously created a lamp collection called Imperfect using the same material, and now aims to investigate how biofilms can be used to create more complex shapes.

Reference points:

Materials: microorganism + yeast

Process: dry, natural dye (fruit, vegetable waste) for dyeing

Features: transparent, foldable, can be used in the product, can be used as compost 100% biodegradable after waste

3.Mycelium lamp

Reference source: https://www.xiaohongshu.com/discovery/item/618e0c6800000000010297b6?share_from_user_hidden=true&xhsshare=WeixinSession&appuid=5ee36c5300000000010057f4&apptime=1658298012

London-based designer Nir Meiri has teamed up with startup Biohm to produce a range of lamps using mycelium as an alternative to synthetic materials. Each lampshade is made from mycelium, and each lamp has a separate light source projected onto the mycelium shadow to produce a soft, natural glow.

In the production process, waste paper is first put into the mold, so that it grows under controlled temperature and humidity conditions. After two weeks, the waste paper is consumed, leaving only the base of the mycelium. Finally, the material is removed from the mold and dried, removing excess parts and pressing into a flat material that can be used as a lampshade.

According to a report by scientists at London's Kew Gardens at the end of 2018, the fungus could be used to break down waste products such as plastic because it is able to grow on its surface and secrete enzymes to break down the chemical bonds between plastic molecules. So Meiri thinks the development of fungal materials for furniture, lighting and construction could significantly affect the way we deal with synthetic waste.

Reference points:

Materials: mycelium

Process: dry, press flat

Properties: Decomposes plastics

4.MyHelmet

Reference source: https://studiomom.nl/en/projects/myhelmet

Studio MOM has been experimenting with bio-manufacturing based on mycelium and hemp flakes for some time. Mycelium is a root network of fungi that feed on thin slices. Heating the mixture briefly stops the growth process, creating a material with properties similar to EPS, the harmful foam found in traditional bicycle helmets.

In the design of the bicycle helmet, Studio MOM takes advantage of the growing power and network structure of mycelium. The different layers in the design not only create additional cross-connections in the material, but also make room for the airflow needed to cool the head. For MyHelmet's strap and case, we used hemp, a biodegradable material on which mycelium can be attached. The woven structure of the fabric also gives the helmet extra strength. The strap is fixed as it grows and attaches to the rest of the watch in the right place.

It's head safe and it's good for the environment. We took the "normal" bike helmet and turned it into a game changer. By developing a new process, we have taken a considerable step towards using mycelium biomanufacturing on an industrial scale. With MyHelmet, the bike industry now has a way to stop the endless stream of harmful, systematic plastics and EPS waste. Mycelia-based technology is in line with the new circular reality we are pursuing: the lowest carbon dioxide emissions, no fossil raw materials required, and the end result is 100% biodegradable. But we haven't. Who's in there?

Reference points:

Material: Mycelium + Hemp Flakes

Process: mold forming, heating

Properties: can replace EPS foam, 100% biodegradable

5.From Peel to Peel

Reference source: https://www.xiaohongshu.com/discovery/item/60b318cb00000000060265a4?share_from_user_hidden=true&xhsshare=WeixinSession&appuid=5ee36c5300000000010057f4&apptime=1658298871

Italian designer Emma Sicher combines food waste with bacteria and yeast to create single-use packaging that she hopes will replace plastic and paper packaging. Called From Peel to Peel, the project focuses on creating food packaging and containers by fermenting a mixture of microbial cellulose (SCOBY) and fruit and vegetable leftovers.

In the process, microbes convert fructose and vitamins from the waste into pure cellulose until a gelatin-like material is formed. After sitting at room temperature for two to four weeks, it turns into a translucent sheet of material with a texture similar to paper, plastic and leather. Sicher experimented with a variety of fruits and vegetables in the project, such as apples, potatoes, beetroot, grape pomace and hops, to create materials with different colors and textures.

Materials have different textures as they dry on different surfaces, and often the smoother the surface, the shinier the cellulose. And cellulose has a strong water absorption, more water resistant than ordinary paper, suitable for containing flour, sugar, pasta, rice, tea, dried fruit and other dry food. In addition to requiring fewer resources, the packaging can also be composted with organic waste, which eventually becomes soil fertilizer.

Reference points:

Ingredients: Food waste (a mixture of microbial cellulose and fruit and vegetable leftovers) + bacteria + yeast

Process: fermentation, drying

Characteristics: translucent, strong water absorption, the smoother the surface of the raw material, the more shiny the material

[qinxiaosblog]

Symbiotic Microorganism

A design journey about microorganism and smell.

#1 Definition  2022.7.16

Keywords:

-Futuring

-Multi-species

-Sensory Mapping

Mindmap

1.Project Brief:

There is always a sweet smell of earth in the air after rain. Whether it is a quiet country road, a busy city or a lush forest road, the smell of earth in the air after rain seems to be universal.

The smell is mainly related to a microbe called actinomycetes.  When the soil is dry, actinomycetes frantically produce spores.  Actinomycetes are extremely common, and they're found in every corner of the world, which is why this pleasant  smell is so ubiquitous.  However, the earthy smell in the air after rain is not caused by the spores themselves, but the smell of geosmin, a metabolite produced in the process of producing spores.  Soil tends to be sparse and porous, containing earthy gases.  When water droplets strike, small bubbles form at the interface between soil and water droplets. With buoyance, the trapped bubbles rise to the surface of the droplets, spewing out tiny "water droplets" -- aerosols.  Its particle size is between 0.01 ~ 10 micron, like air freshener spray.

Principle of actinomycetes

Through the baptism of the epidemic, people are increasingly afraid of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, and the situation of excessive bacteriostasis is becoming more and more intense.  Microbes, like other plants and animals, have sensory abilities. They can sense stimuli such as light and temperature, and they can also produce information such as color and smell.  By sensing and embracing these unseen creatures, humans and microbes can become a better symbiotic symbiont.

Living Bits

Reference source:https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/UAfdbXac6kJuchK_Z0goag

2.Aim:

I want to combine actinomycetes with other materials to create a sustainable material and design a product. Actinomycetes can produce unique fragrance and achieve healing and sleep aid effects.

3. Audience:

Users with odour healing needs. 

Insomnia problems exist in users of all ages, work pressure and environmental problems are the two main causes of insomnia, the fragrance of soil after rain has a role in helping sleep. 

The Chinese young people generally have bigger work and life pressure nowadays, calm and pleasant aroma can relax nerves, eliminate nervous mood, improve depression.

4. Research Methodology:

Desk Research: Know some backgrounds and contexts of the project.

Brainstorm: Generate new ideas with divergent thinking.

Participatory Design: Having a range of people involved at all stages of the design process.

Sensory Mapping: Creating a map based on senses other than sight.