Photo by CDC on Unsplash
We sifted through hundreds of innovations that grabbed attention last year.
In this series of nine posts, we share the most interesting and impactful ideas.
How to use bio-based materials and biotechnology for sustainability?
Producing apparel and footwear generates about 9% of global carbon emissions. The industries use a lot of energy, water, and chemicals. There is an urgent need for greener methods in the industry. In 2009, Finnish researcher Juha Salmela heard about the resemblance between nanocellulose and spiderweb’s protein. The spider-silk-producing process inspired his experiments of turning wood fiber into textile fiber. Later, his company, Spinnova, successfully developed a method of turning wood cellulose into cotton-like fabric. The method involves mechanical processing pulp raw material, not harmful chemistry. It uses 1% of water than traditional cotton production. The method emits less CO2 than it saves. Similar processes using leather waste are also under development. Clothes produced with this new fabric are recyclable and biodegradable. Spinnova has partnered with clothing companies, such as Adidas, Arket, and Halti.
The purpose
To produce cotton-like fabric
The idea
Learn from how spider silk is made
Making concrete emits more greenhouse gases than any country except US and China. Concrete is a mixture of aggregates (composed of sand and crushed stone) and paste (made of water and cement). The production of cement alone accounts for about 7% global CO2 emission. Particularly, heating up clay and limestone while manufacturing cement uses a large amount of energy and generates a lot of CO2. A company called Biomason is making alternative construction materials with biotechnology. Instead of using traditional cement, they developed Biocement. The inspiration of Biocement came from coral reefs, which are made of calcium carbonate secreted by corals. The company adds some non-pathogenic bacteria and nutrients to aggregates. The calcium carbonate produced by the bacteria works as a binding agent to bind the aggregates. This is a biological process at room temperature that does not need high heat and fossil fuels. The company produces Biolith tile, composed of about 85% aggregates and 15% Biocement. The tiles are claimed to exceed the physical properties of standard materials, such as in compressive strength and adhesion.
The purpose
To make building materials in greener ways
The idea
Learn from naturally occurring structures, such as coral reefs
The Advanced Structures and Composites Center (ASCC) at University of Maine built BioHome3D, the first 3D printed home with only recyclable bio-based materials. Most 3D printed homes use concrete or concrete-like materials. The 600 sq ft BioHome3D was printed by the center’s polymer 3D printer with wood fiber and bio-resin materials. Unlike typical commercial 3D-printed houses, BioHome3D’s walls, floors, and roof were all printed, although the parts needed to be modularly assembled. This new technology not only helps increase recyclability and reduces carbon emission in home building, but also improves home affordability.
The purpose
To reduce carbon emission in home building
The idea
Use materials that need less energy to produce, such as bio-based materials
Link: Spinnova, Biomason, ASCC
Contact: Spinnova, Biomason, ASCC
Further Possibilities
1. 3D print bacteria-produced materials
Bacteria have the ability to produce a wide range of biomaterials with unique properties, and by harnessing 3D printing technology, these materials can be precisely shaped and formed into complex structures.
2. 3D print cellulose fabric
Cellulose, a natural polymer found in the cell walls of plants, offers unique properties such as biodegradability, sustainability, and breathability. By leveraging 3D printing technology, it might be possible to create intricate and customized fabric structures using cellulose-based materials.
3. Use biomaterials for automobile production
The use of biomaterials in automobile production offers numerous benefits, including sustainability, weight reduction, improved safety, noise reduction, and design flexibility. As research and development continue, biomaterials have the potential to revolutionize the automotive industry.
4. Recycle bio-based construction materials for making clothes
Bio-based construction materials, such as natural fibers, bioplastics, and biocomposites, might be repurposed and transformed into new textiles and garments.
5. Recycle bio-based materials as nutrients for bacterial growth
By harnessing the capabilities of bacteria, valuable by-products might be derived from bio-based materials, contributing to a circular economy and promoting the development of bio-based industries.
Questions
1. What might be all the things that can be manufactured by bacteria?
2. What might be all the plastic products that can be made with biomaterials?
3. What additional materials can be replaced by biomaterials?
