Potential of using coconut shell particle fillers in eco-composite materials- This article discusses how the wasted portion of the coconut, the shell, can be used in the epoxy matrix to create new structural integradies for epoxy. This new mixture showed, "improved tensile modulus, tensile strength and hardness values and very slight decrease of the impact strength, when compared to mechanical properties of pure epoxy resin,"(Sarki et al. 2011, 2385). The coconut shell is 100% biodegradable helping improve the sustainable aspect of design. This example of using natural resources in materials in a new and innovative approach that is being seen all over the world today.1
Massive Change Bruce Mau and the Institute without Boundaries- This article discussed many new and creative ideas/ products that utilize natural resources for improved structural stability in existing materials. Such as creating super strong biosteel from spider webs, or using the geckos ability to walk on all kinds of surfaces as a new type of tape. It was said that many of the materials used today, the creation of them was derived from nature. “As the biological knowledge doubles every few years, we have more information to inspire us- more evolved designs and strategies we can learn from," (Mau. 16). Knowledge is gathered from looking at the atomic level and at the causes for specific things to occur. As more materials are produced the more they are reliant on a stimuli to cause them to react or do something. It seems that the future of materials depends on the mutations done to existing elements in nature or existing materials.2
Jeopardy Questions/Seminar Discussion-
What is the benchmark material that material hardness is measured against? Diamond because no other material is able to scratch it even today.
What is a benefit of using coconut in wood materials? It is biodegradable therefore the materials it is applied to can have a biodegradable component and cause no or little waste.
There was a video showed on the process taken to create Biosteel; a silk protein that is incredibly strong. This protein is normally created by spiders for webs, however trying to harvest the protein from the spiders is very difficult since they tend to kill one another. The video showed that the gene is injected into goats so they produce it in their milk. Once the milk is harvested, large quantities of the protein are able to be extracted to create the silk. The question was whether this process is amoral or not? It was said by a few that it is not a natural process therefore yes it is amoral. However some argued that because this process causes no harm to goats that it is the more ethical approach because it has less losses with the process. Since spiders kill one another, they create more loss for the environment then the goats do.
A video was shown on creating prosthetics that are an extension of the skin; they are able to experience touch, also they are self healing like skin. Question was, from an ecological stand point how could this material be useful? Some said it could help endangered species if they were hurt they could still function normally. Also it could reduce the amount of medical waste. From a building viewpoint it could be applied to roofs in areas prone to hail damage. Therefore once damaged the roof can heal itself instead of being re-shingled. Also somehow incorporating it into vehicles, once a collision occurs the car can simple mend itself and go on.
The last video shown was about Seagel; the lightest material ever created. This material is able to insulate, it is 100% biodegradable and also edible, and lastly it is able to float with only static electricity. The question was, As aspiring designers, what are some uses for this material? It was discussed to use it in airplanes making them much lighter therefore requiring less work from engines. Also in areas prone to flooding, homes could be designed out of it so they could simply float and not require foundation. It could be used as insulation in homes or in clothes.
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| 3) How self healing material works |
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| 4) Seagel, shows how light it really is. |
Personal Reflection- I believe the experimentation with materials is critical especially now since we are in the midst of a changing climate. Using more biodegradable materials is very critical since landfills are reaching the end of their life span. Also materials that do not cause more harm to the environment should be closely studied. It was never discussed how these materials are being manufactured and if the manufacturing process is harming the environment. The study of materials will a lower embodied energy I feel is very critical, also to keep creating more biodegradable materials. Creating less waste and using more recycled content is the era we have entered, if it is not done there will not be much of a future for humans. Using the goat to produce BioSteel I think is quiet genius for the fact that it causes no harm to the goat, but also it does not need energy to produce it, the goats do it themselves and they are not harmful to the environment.
1) Sarki, J, S. B Hassan, V. S Aigbodion, and J. E Oghenevweta. "Potential of using coconut shell particle fillers in eco-composite materials." Alloys and Compounds . 509. (2011): 2381-2385. 10.1016/j.jallcom.2010.11.025 (accessed March 13, 2013).
2) Mau, Bruce. Massive Change Bruce Mau and the Institute without Boundaries.
3) Xaide. WordPress.com, "Self Healing Materials: Scientists make Industires and Human Races Dream Come True." Last modified 2013. Accessed March 14, 2013. http://xaide.ro/blog/?p=31.
4) Unknown. Taladev.com, "Energy ." Last modified Unknown . Accessed March 14, 2013. http://taladev.com/iText/products/0-13-190443-4/ch1/ch1_s2_2.html.
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