Recently we started an experimental and speculative design project to explore the possibilities of using organic materials to produce everyday electronic products. We built a night lamp using Ecovative Grow-It-Yourself kit by embedding surface mount LEDs to organic materials and let the organic materials grow snuggly around the LEDs. With this design we try to speculate on the future possibilities of producing eco-friendly and self decomposing everyday electronic products.
Ecovative – Mushroom Material
Ecovative Mushroom materials are a novel class of renewable biomaterial grown from fungal mycelium and low-value non-food agricultural materials using a patented process developed by Ecovative Design, New York. They begin their lifecycle as a biologically developed material and end with complete decomposition.
After being left to grow in a former in a dark place for about five days during which time the fungal mycelial network binds the mixture, the resulting light robust organic compostable material can be used within many products, including building materials, thermal insulation panels, light fittings and protective packaging. During the growth stage the material can be manipulated to take on various shapes.
The material is Cradle to Cradle Gold certified which means that it has high standards for
material health, material reutilization, renewable energy usage and carbon management, water stewardship and social fairness.
More updates on this projects will be posted in coming weeks. Stay tuned!