Kapok is a cotton-like fluff. Good material for upholstery due to the light and airy fibers. The natural wax coat of the fiber makes them water resistant.
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The coconut palm is a tropical tree from the palm family, where the coconut grows. Coir, the coconut fibers are tiny curled tubes filled with air, this makes them light, heat-retaining and elastic.
Coir is the fibrous material found between the hard, internal shell and the outer coat of a coconut. It is found in India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia . Fully ripe coir is brown, but coir can also be harvested unripe, when it is still white or light brown. Only 15% of the husk fibers that are harvested in India are actually recovered for use.
Quick properties
Quick Fiber Facts
Bioluminescent bacteria are being explored as a potential source of non-electrical lighting.
Bioluminescence is light emission by living organisms, which include bacteria, glow-worms, fireflies, and 80%+ of marine organisms.
Bioluminescent bacteria are being explored as a source of non-electrical lighting. Bioluminescence is a property of certain bacteria expressed most commonly in bacteria inhabiting sea creatures although freshwater and terrestrial examples exist. Designers are investigating the possibilities for their use in lighting products.
Only speculative / demonstration projects known of so far.
Designers have been trialing lighting products using biolumiscent bacteria however challenges persist of low luminosity and the design of bacteria friendly environments. Suggested potential uses are for low level lighting such as road strip lighting and parking lots or where space constraints are less of an issue such as street lighting. There may be a range of domestic / commercial / external uses where low level lighting is needed which is natural / sustainable, has relaxing and soothing properties and may reduce light pollution.
There have been several examples of lighting products using different bacteria, each with their unique food source and habitat. For instance, Phillips designed a microbial home in which they exhibited bacterial lights fed by methane from human fecal and kitchen waste.
Another example is a pendulum light containing bacteria found on octopus tentacles which lights up when fed with oxygen and in motion. The light was designed using weights to create the pendulum effect when swung, lasting approximately 20 minutes. The lights contained synthetic sea water for the bacteria to live in.
Bacterial cellulose grows on the surface of Kombucha / Nata de coco, and has been used to create leather-like fabrics. It is highly moisture absorbing.
Kombucha itself is a healthy fermented tea that is created by a symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast (scoby). It is made by adding either the scoby or already fermented Kombucha Tea into a mixture of sweet black or green tea. The scoby digests the sugar and other substances in the tea and ferments it. The scoby is a gelatinous, cellulose-based biofilm, when drying it a material occurs reminiscent of fabric, leather or paper.
Growduce Guillian Graves (designer) and Aakriti Jain (bioengineer) envisage an efficient, sustainable and entirely local alternative to recycling domestic organic waste, in a counter-top bio composter / 3D printer ‘biomanufacturing’ device. In a ceramic lower vessel ‘acetobacter’ bacteria living in symbiosis with yeasts digest food waste through a fermentation and metabolism process, transforming into a rubbery cellulose membrane. This grows at the compost’s surface in removable moulds to sculpt everyday objects such a healing bandage, beauty mask, gloves and other clothes, new kinds of food or even sticks to heat the house.
Bacterial production of nano-metals is a growing field of research because of its advantages over current chemical or physical manufacture processes.
Bacterial production of nano-metals is a growing field of research because of its advantages over current chemical or physical manufacture processes. Bacterial production offers an alternative process in a more benign environment, it does not produce toxic waste and has lower energy requirements. Nonetheless, the process is not yet competitive because production time is longer or produced nanometals are not stable.
There are many potential uses of nanometals in medicine, optics, electronics and heavy metal waste clean up.
For instance, there are many bacteria that can produce nanosilver, a wonder nanometal for its antibacterial and antifungal properties (touted as an alternative to antibiotics) which has been used as a coating in healthcare, cosmetics, female hygiene products, air-conditioning systems, washing machines, clothing, toys etc.
Other nanomaterials of interest are:
Different bacteria synthesis nanometals in different ways. In nature, this process was developed for bacteria to survive in high metal toxicity environment. As explained by this academic paper , “nanoparticles are biosynthesized when the microorganisms grab target ions from their environment and then turn the metal ions into the element metal through enzymes generated by the cell activities. It can be classified into intracellular and extracellular synthesis according to the location where nanoparticles are formed.”
Clay based paint is a natural, breathable and zero volatile organic emitting paint. It is perfect for use in interior rooms and certain versions are suitable for humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Clay based paint is a natural, breathable and zero volatile organic emitting paint. It is perfect for use in interior rooms and certain versions are suitable for humid areas such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Known use is for painting of interior rooms. Manufacturers state that clay paint can be applied on clay plaster, all other solid plasters and on drywalls, fibrous plasterboards, concrete, plastic-free wallpapers, fleece wallpaper. Unsuitable surfaces are e.g. old glue-bound distemper coatings, lime paints, oil paint coatings, latex- and plastic coatings, metal, surfaces with residues of glue and all even, non-absorbent surfaces as well as permanently humid surfaces.
None as yet identified. Your ideas welcome!
Main constituents include:
There are various homemade DIY can be made with just flour, water, clay and a colour pigment.
The paint can be purchased in powder form therefore reducing its weight for transport purposes and facilitating storage. The powder is mixed with water using an electric drill with paint stirrer. See manufacturer’s data sheets for instructions.
Naturally created fine bentonite clay has a fairly ideal abrasion hardness for cleaning teeth without damaging enamel.
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A composite of carbonized bamboo strands compressed with water-based adhesive has three times the density of natural bamboo, resists moisture absorption, swelling, and decay from bacteria and fungi.
Thin slices of bamboo stalk are carbonized, weaved and compressed to produce a composite which has three times the density of natural bamboo, resists moisture absorption, swelling, and decay from bacteria and fungi. The carbonisation processes is effective at eliminating all natural sugars in the bamboo material and therefore becoming unattractive for fungi and bacteria.
A common use is for flooring providing a more resistant and faster growing alternative to hardwood flooring.
WSB is also being explored as a rebar (reinforced concrete) alternative to replace steel. One such bamboo known as Dirk Hebel Bamboo is being tested by researchers (led by Dirk Hebel) at the Future Cities Laboratory in Singapore. The results have been positive however research continues on an alternative WSB manufacturing process that reduces potential damage to bamboo fibres caused by carbonisation.
Certain palm trees have thick fibrous bark that can easily be peeled off and used directly or with minimal processing as a fabric.
Certain palm trees have thick fibrous bark that can easily be peeled off and used directly or with minimal processing as a fabric.
Traditionally used for raincoats or other hardy outdoor clothing and accessories. The palm bark raincoat was definitely used in China. In South America, there are examples of bark used to make tops and dresses. [2] Whilst in Hawai, the palm sheath basket or bags are a traditional craft. [3] The bark from the Piassava palm family has also been used for roofing in tropical areas in South America and Africa.
Contemporary uses including building facades [1], accessories and arts and crafts with a modern style. [3]
Process
No details – incomplete
[1] “Fernando Humberto Campana Brothers Palm Fibre House” https://www.dezeen.com/2016/07/19/fernando-humberto-campana-brothers-palm-fibre-house-sao-paulo-brazil-hairy-texture/. Retrieved 28 June, 2017.
[2] “Guahibo indians”. http://www.indian-cultures.com/cultures/guahibo-indians/. Retrieved 28 June, 2017.
[3] Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/281263939203776216/. Retrieved 28 June, 2017.
These contain saponins which are a natural surfactant, and have been used for washing the body, laundry and dishes where they grow in Asia and the Americas.
Soapberries (also known as soapnuts) are the fruit of several species of trees from the Sapindusbgenus which can be used as a soap to wash the body, hair and clothes. Use of the soapberries was common in South and East Asia until just 20 to 30 years ago. It is also claimed that American Indians used these for washing.
Clothes washing is the most common use; soapnuts can even be placed in a modern washing machine. Body and hair washing is less common because the fruit foam stings eyes and should not be ingested. Other uses are dishwasher liquid or household detergent.
The soap can allegedly help treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.
The soapberry could also be used as a mosquito repellent. Scientific research[1] has shown that the “kernel extracts of soapberry disrupt the activity of enzymes of larvae and pupae and inhibit the growth of Aedes aegypti, a mosquito that spreads viral diseases such as yellow fever, dengue and chikungunya.”
The soapberries contain saponin which acts as a natural surfactant.
You can grow the tree from seed. There are lots of resources online [2] about how to grow the tree and the different species that are adapted to different climates. They can withstand draught, poor soil and come with no pests, though it is often seen harmless red shoulder bugs crawling around. Most sources say it takes about 10 years to bear fruit.
Once the tree has born fruit, these are collected and sun dried.
For laundry: add about 5 whole or broken fruit shells to a small cotton drawstring bag and add to the laundry. The bag of soapberries can simply be added in the washing machine or bowl for hand washing.
For hair/body washing, create a soapy mixture using the soapberries mixed with hot water and optional additives to add odour or for better preservation. Detailed recipes can be found online. [3] [4] Beware that the soapy foam stings if it gets into your eyes.
References
[1] http://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/soapnut-a-mosquito-repellent-33188
[2] https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees/soapberry/soapberry-tree-growing.htm
[3] https://wellnessmama.com/8441/soap-nuts-shampoo/
[4] https://www.nourishedlife.com.au/article/216288/all-ways-you-can-use-soapberries.html
