Microbial Neighbours
September 11, 2020
Biological self-healing for masonry materials presented by Magda Theodoridou at the APT & NT 2020 Joint conference, Edmonton, 2nd October 2020
October 2, 2020
Nature has been constantly optimising its own fabrication methods to reduce the volume of material needed and simultaneously optimise the function. Those two aspects also play an important role for sustainable building materials. Understanding nature’s principles of cell growth, cell assembly, and cell communication can be the first step towards bio-digitally fabricating a material from living organisms.
The field of Biological Fabrication spans a wide spectrum of fabrication processes which involve the use of digital fabrication tools, such a 3D printers and robots, as well as (cells derived from) living organisms. In line with the theme of the HBBE Living Construction is a fabrication process in which the biological material is still alive while being processed.
Bacterial cellulose is a bio-polymer which can be grown in large quantities and relatively little time. It presents as an alternative for fuel-based products in the future with favourable mechanical properties for the built environment. In times of COVID-19 and restricted laboratory access bacterial cellulose also shows its potential in accessibility and can be grown not only in highly controlled environments.
Over the course of the PhD novel fabrication processes with bacterial cellulose will be explored. Principles found in growth and behaviour of plant cellulose will support the development of the digital fabrication process. To enhance the beneficial characteristics but also follow the natural behaviour of the organism, a symbiotic relationship of the living and the digital within the bio-digital fabrication process is the goal.
