Coded Nature.
Project details
- Year
- 2022
- Programme
- lifestyle-transformation-design
- Practices
- autonomous
- Minor
- Hacking
Coded nature is a bio-design research project, in which technology and nature come together to investigate the possibilities of developing bio-based, biodegradable orthoses for the medical world. For this purpose, bioplastics and bacterial pigments with an antimicrobial effect are used, which are processed in a 3D printer.
CONTEXT
Research has shown that most orthoses do not appeal to users aesthetically, because function often takes precedence over form. Orthoses are used for hand and finger complaints in the joints that are for example caused by rheumatism, hyper-mobility or during recovery after injury. These conventional orthoses are made from materials such as plastic, silicone and plaster which are polluting and cause a lot of CO2 emissions. And thus, the production of these products leaves room for improvements from an environmental, aesthetic and ergonomic point of view.
CODED NATURE
Coded Nature proposes an alternative to current orthoses, from which it gives the user agency to choose from a variety of choices in shapes and colours, that are both aesthetically pleasing as well bio-based biodegradable. Each Orthoses should become an extension of the user, so that it can be proudly worn as a piece of jewellery.
METHOD
ORTHOSES
Results
The results of the experiments with bioplastics and bacterial pigments will be shown at the exhibition at the Willem de Kooning academy graduation show of 2022, wijnhaven, room 3.016. The developed method for natural colouring of bio-plastics is explained and the first prototypes of the orthoses can be viewed. The results shown are part of a study that is still under development.
This project is nominated for the Threshold awards, Research awards and Push Awards. *Winner Push Awards.
With special thanks to:
Dr. Barbara Schrammeijer
Simone Kole (student Biology and Medical Laboratory Research)
Eline Hoedemaker (student Biology and Medical Laboratory Research)