A Second Skin and Algae Superfood

daisypope
Jul 25, 2019
5 min read

So after a short blog summer holiday I thought this week I'd try something a bit different. Let's have a short round up of my favourite designs from the past two weeks.... More designs and less reading so perhaps you'll prefer it anyway!

ElectroDermis

The majority of us have wearable technology these days... The main one being smart watches that we wear and track different aspects of our daily lives. However a group of Engineers from Carnegie Mellon University have created flexible, adhesive wearables that you put on just like a plaster. The wearable is uniquely created for each user using flexible coper wiring, sensors, Spandex fabric and adhesive film. They can be worn for up to a week and can be used for a variety of things including food detection, temperature monitoring and smart wound healing. I think this would have a great application for people who have temporary injuries, such as knee sprains or pulled back muscles. Perhaps the technology could also be advanced enough to change temperature dependent on the injury or even one day incorporate MRI scanning to show how the injury is healing. See the video at https://www.dezeen.com/2019/07/02/electrodermis-researchers-make-stretchy-stick-on-wearable-tech/.

Soapack

Did you know that a standard plastic bottle can take 450 years to break down in the environment?.... Postgraduate student Mi Zhou has created toiletry bottles that are made from soap and will simply wash away once their contents has all been used up. The bottles are made from an oil based soap that is coloured with natural pigments from minerals, plants and flowers. The inside of the bottles are lined with bees wax to prevent the contents from dissolving them. Once empty the user can leave the bottle in water and it will eventually melt away. This is a very innovative way to reduce the use of plastics. It's quite a unique idea that they dissolve and they are much more attractive than your usual bottles, however I wonder how much the manufacture of these products would impact on the environment. And also how would they be displayed in the shop? Would they last on display for a few weeks? See the full story at https://www.dezeen.com/2019/07/03/soapack-toiletry-sustainable-bottles-mi-zhou/.

Sum Waste Pen

Garrett Benisch, a graduate from Pratt Institute, has proposed a pen made from biosolids which is the organic matter derived from treated sewage. Garrett focused on polyhydroxyalkanoate, PHA a bioplastic derived from wastewater. The bioplastic has similar properties to standard plastics, however it is biodegradable and will disintegrate in soil within two months. The ink has also been made from a carbonated biosolid. All the parts of the pen have been designed to be mass produced and are priced competitively with your standard ball point. I never realised treated sewage was such a big problem as it all goes to landfill. Benisch has come up with a great idea to make a dent in the problem. Hopefully it will inspire more Designers to consider using biosolids to lessen the impact they have on the environment. See the full story at https://www.dezeen.com/2019/07/09/sum-waste-pen-garrett-benisch-pratt/.

Biodegradable Bricks

Imagine a brick that can purify the air?... Well Researchers at the Indian School of Design and Innovation in Mumbai have created eco-friendly bricks made from soil, cement, charcoal and organic luffa fibres. The bricks are 20 times more porous than standard concrete blocks. These air pockets encourage animal and plant life to thrive. The pores also act as 'water tanks' and can help to keep people inside the building cool in hot weather. The charcoal part of the bricks acts as an air purifier by absorbing nitrates, which coincidentally are superfoods for plants. The bricks are lightweight and biodegradable, however still require cement to fix them together which is one of the world's largest sources of carbon dioxide emissions. The bricks are under development to try out different surface textures with the hope of making them commercially viable in the future. The bricks are certainly and interesting idea, and really highlight the negative impact the construction industry is having on the environment. However would people really use them?.... People feel safe in their well built brick houses, would they feel like this in a brick house made from loofa?... I think there would be a niche market, but it'll take a lot of development to convince the building companies. See more at https://www.dezeen.com/2019/07/14/green-charcoal-bricks-loofah-technology-materials/.

Algae Farm

Have you ever thought about having an algae farm alongside your potted plants at home? Who knew that alge was such a superfood. It is 60% protein, full of vitamens, boosts your immune system and is claimed to help you exercise for longer. Where can I get my hands on it?!... Postgraduate student Hyunseok An at the Rhode Island School of Design has created a beautiful algae farm that will see you harvesting algae every day. It consists of 16 cells, in which you add micro algae, purified water, salt and algae food. Turn on the air pump and the algae will consume carbon dioxide as it grows to purify the air in your house. It'll take 2 weeks for the algae to form and turn from clear to a beautiful dark blue-green, after going through every other shade of green. The idea is that you can 'plant' your algae at different times and as they grow you will have a gorgeous piece of algae artwork that will turn all different shades of green. One cell also contains the recommended daily does of algae. I think this is a great idea. Simple and beautiful. It could really enhance the aesthetics of your room, have great health benefits and provide you with a hobby. Is it just a health fad though? As will many wellness trends I fear this could soon be yesterday's craze. But the idea is great, creating artwork out of your plants. It would be interesting to see other designs that follow this concept. See more at https://www.fastcompany.com/90365320/this-kit-makes-it-shockingly-easy-and-pretty-to-farm-your-own-algae-at-home?partner=rss&utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss+fastcompany&utm_content=rss?cid=search

Skin II

Over the past few months we have been encouraged to eat more probiotics to improve our gut health. However probiotics on your skin? Now that's something new. Central St Martins Graduate Rosie Broadhead has created a bodysuit that uses probiotics to benefit our skin. Probiotic bacteria is strategically placed within the bodysuit and is activated by our own sweat. The probiotics have a deodorising effect to reduce body odour, whilst also encouraging cell renewal and improving the skins immune system to promote healthy skin. Designed to be worn under clothes, the body suit would reduce the need for washing clothes as you can re-wear them more than once as they won't smell bad after one wear. So not only is Skin II good for your skin health, it is also good for the future of the environment. I'd love to know more about the fabric that is used and how the probiotics are woven into it. I like to idea of an odour neutralising body suit, but on a 30 degrees summer day? I don't think I'd be wearing one under my shorts and vest top. Perhaps it would be good for a cooler day, but I like the idea that Skin II utilises what the body naturally produces to create a better human experience. Perhaps more designs could take this into consideration and use something that is already there rather then something brand new. See the video at https://www.designboom.com/design/rosie-broadhead-skin-ii-probiotic-clothing-concept-07-14-2019/.