BioDesign: The (R)evolution of Sustainable Fashion | Theanne Schiros | TEDxFIT

Summary

This script explores the intersection of nature, science, and design, with a focus on creating sustainable materials. The speaker discusses how biomimicry and indigenous knowledge can revolutionize industries like fashion and textiles, using organisms like bacteria, fungi, and kelp to create biodegradable, non-toxic, and flame-retardant products. The speaker shares breakthroughs in growing materials such as microbial cellulose and mycelium for applications like clothing and footwear, emphasizing the potential for a circular economy. The presentation advocates for a future where materials are grown, not manufactured, to address environmental and social justice challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 Nature's materials are incredibly efficient, recycling matter and energy, in contrast to the wasteful practices of industries like fast fashion.
• 😀 The idea of using nature's best solutions can help revolutionize how we extract, use, and dispose of materials, creating sustainable products.
• 😀 A new 'Project Runway' challenge focuses on creating fashion within the limits of planetary boundaries and social justice, promoting a more sustainable and equitable approach.
• 😀 Bacteria, fungi, and other living organisms can be used to produce biodegradable, non-toxic materials that fit within a circular economy.
• 😀 Microbial cellulose, a material produced by bacteria, can be used to create fabrics that are sustainable but face challenges like water resistance, strength, and flexibility.
• 😀 Indigenous techniques, like Native American tanning methods, helped improve microbial cellulose, making it stronger, more flexible, and water-resistant.
• 😀 Bacteria-grown fabrics can be flame-retardant, providing a safer alternative to traditional fabrics treated with toxic chemicals.
• 😀 Mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi, can be used to create biodegradable materials like shoes, incorporating local waste materials like pineapple husks.
• 😀 A sustainable baby shoe was grown from mycelium, colored with natural dyes, and embedded with carrot seeds, which could grow into a new plant at the end of the shoe's life.
• 😀 Kelp is a highly renewable resource that can be used to create biopolymers for textiles and bio-plastics, benefiting both the environment and communities.
• 😀 Innovations like 3D-printed kelp-based sneakers, with biodegradable materials and zero waste in production, showcase the potential of nature-based solutions in consumer products.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's presentation?

The main theme revolves around the exploration of natural materials and indigenous techniques to create sustainable, regenerative products, particularly in the context of fashion and product design. The speaker emphasizes the potential of bio-inspired materials to revolutionize industries by minimizing waste and environmental impact.

What challenges does microbial cellulose face in fashion design?

Microbial cellulose faces challenges like water resistance, strength, and flexibility. It has a tendency to swell when exposed to water and lacks the durability needed for traditional textiles, making it unsuitable for direct application in fashion without modification.

How did the research team at MIT improve the properties of microbial cellulose?

The MIT team applied natural techniques such as plant oils and waxes to improve water resistance, and they experimented with embedding fibers like pineapple husk to enhance strength. They also adopted indigenous tanning techniques, which significantly increased the material's flexibility and durability, making it more suitable for use as a textile.

What unexpected benefit was discovered when applying indigenous tanning methods to microbial cellulose?

The indigenous tanning methods not only improved the material's strength and flexibility but also imbued the cellulose with flame-retardant properties. This was a surprising and significant discovery, as it made the material non-flammable, a rare characteristic for textiles.

What role does mycelium play in the speaker's sustainable material research?

Mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi, is used to grow materials by feeding it organic waste like corn stalks and other agricultural byproducts. The team successfully grew mycelium-based shoes that were biodegradable, non-toxic, and flame-retardant, further exploring its potential as a sustainable material.

How does the speaker's research contribute to the idea of a circular economy?

The research contributes to the circular economy by developing materials that can be regenerated and repurposed at the end of their useful life. This includes creating products that biodegrade, returning nutrients to the environment to grow the next generation of materials, thus closing the loop on waste and resource consumption.

Why is kelp considered an ideal material for sustainable product design?

Kelp is a fast-growing, abundant organism that can absorb carbon dioxide and agricultural runoff. It also serves as a valuable source for biopolymers like alginate, which can be used to create sustainable textiles, films, and fibers with minimal environmental impact, making it a promising material for future applications.

What is alginate, and how is it used in the research?

Alginate is a biopolymer extracted from kelp, which can be processed into a hydrogel and cast into films or extruded into fibers. It serves as a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based plastics and synthetic fibers, with applications in textiles, bio-plastics, and even 3D printing.

How did the research team address the issue of water use in dyeing textiles?

The team avoided traditional dyeing methods, which consume large amounts of water and produce harmful emissions. Instead, they incorporated natural pigments directly into the kelp-based material before extrusion, thus eliminating the need for additional water in the dyeing process.

What is the significance of the 'grow a pair' concept in the research?

'Grow a pair' refers to the development of biodegradable, non-toxic, and sustainable products like shoes, which can decompose and regenerate new materials, exemplifying the principles of a closed-loop, circular economy. In one example, carrot seeds were embedded in a shoe to emphasize the regenerative cycle.