Foodshift Pathways
FOODSHIFT Pathways (English)
FOODSHIFT Pathways (English)
  • โค๏ธIntroducction
  • ๐Ÿ“FoodSHIFT Pathways: Reducing Food Waste Through Circular Education
    • โœ๏ธFoodshift Pathways Glossary
  • ๐ŸฅฆUnderstanding Food Waste
  • ๐Ÿ“ˆWhat Impacts Does Food Waste Have on the Planet?
    • ๐Ÿ’ถEconomic impact
    • ๐Ÿ’—Social Impact
    • ๐ŸŒฑEnvironmental impact
  • โ™ป๏ธThe Interconnection of Life Cycles
    • ๐ŸŽŽSustainability in the Classroom: Learning from the Past for a Better Future
  • ๐Ÿค–Ancestral and Digital Technology
    • โš™๏ธInspiring Examples in Action
  • ๐Ÿ“–Classroom Projects and Activities Guide
    • ๐Ÿ„Mushroom
      • โœจThe Wonderful Kingdom of Fungi
        • ๐Ÿ—ฟPowerful Ancestral Allies
        • ๐ŸงซGuide to Growing Mushrooms
      • ๐Ÿ’กHow to Integrate This Activity into the Classroom?
      • ๐Ÿ‘Practical Recommendations Before Starting the Workshop
      • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸซScientific Workshop for Growing Mushrooms in the Classroom
      • ๐Ÿ”ฌThe Mushroom Cultivation Project at Escola Joan Mirรณ
    • ๐ŸงผMaking Cleaning Products with Food Waste
      • ๐Ÿ’กHow to Integrate This Activity into the Classroom?
      • ๐Ÿ‘Practical recommendations before starting...
      • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸซEco-Creative Cleaning Workshop
      • ๐ŸŽ’Example from Institut Ciutat de Balaguer
    • ๐ŸŽจCreation of Natural Pigments from Food Waste
      • ๐Ÿ’กHow to Integrate This Activity into the Classroom?
      • ๐Ÿ‘Practical Recommendations Before Starting...
      • ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸซWorkshop on Natural Pigment Extraction from Food Waste
      • ๐ŸŽ’Example from the Florida Lab Sustainable Laboratory
    • ๐ŸƒCompostaje
      • ๐Ÿ‚The Evolution of Composting
        • ๐Ÿ”ฌThe Biology of Compost
      • ๐Ÿ’กHow to Integrate This Activity into the Classroom?
      • ๐Ÿ‘Practical Recommendations Before Starting
      • ๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐ŸซComposting Workshop in the Classroom
      • ๐ŸŒฑTurning Waste into Life: Composting Adventure at the Florida Lab
    • ๐ŸฅšCeramic Making with Eggshells
      • ๐Ÿ’กHow to Integrate This Activity into the Classroom?
      • ๐Ÿ‘Practical Recommendations Before Starting
      • ๐Ÿง‘โ€๐ŸซCeramics Creation Workshop with Eggshells and Mussel Shells
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  • What Are Biomaterials?
  • Real-World Applications of Biomaterials
  • Innovators at Fab Lab Barcelona
  • Get Inspired and Experiment
  1. Classroom Projects and Activities Guide

Ceramic Making with Eggshells

Exploring a Sustainable Future Through Biomaterials

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Last updated 5 months ago

Can you imagine food scraps and other natural materials being transformed into everyday objects, from packaging and clothing to furniture and utensils? This is the world of biomaterialsโ€”materials that, beyond fulfilling practical functions, are environmentally friendly and bring us closer to a circular economy.

At Fab Lab Barcelona, we constantly explore how natureโ€™s remnants can be transformed into something new. In this workshop, we will work with eggshells and mussel shellsโ€”remnants that might seem like waste but can be ground into powder and used as a base to create ceramics, combined with natural binders to mold and create something unique. This process represents just a small sample of what biomaterials can achieve across multiple industries.

What Are Biomaterials?

Biomaterials are materials derived from natural or renewable sources. This is not a new concept: throughout history, many cultures have relied on natural materials for their daily needs. Ancient Egyptians created papyrus from plants, and various indigenous American cultures crafted tools and objects using clay or natural fibers. Now, with todayโ€™s technology, we can innovate and develop new biomaterials from waste and byproducts, helping us reduce our environmental impact.

Real-World Applications of Biomaterials

Biomaterials are already being used across various industries, offering sustainable solutions that replace conventional materials. Here are some examples showcasing their enormous potential:

  • Construction: Materials like mycelium (the root structure of fungi) are used in bricks and construction panels, offering insulation and biodegradability. Even rice husk ash is used in concrete and composites.

  • Fashion: Pineapple fibers and mushroom leather provide sustainable alternatives to animal leather, reducing ecological footprints. Fashion brands are using mushroom leather and algae-based biodegradable textiles for clothing and accessories.

  • Packaging: Bioplastics made from cornstarch and shrimp shells are replacing plastic packaging. These materials are compostable and help reduce plastic waste.

  • Medicine: Biomaterials such as biodegradable sutures and artificial tissues assist in medical procedures, minimizing waste and enhancing biocompatibility.

  • Product Design: Fibers like coconut or bamboo are used in furniture and kitchen utensils, demonstrating that biomaterials can seamlessly integrate into everyday life.

Innovators at Fab Lab Barcelona

Fab Lab Barcelona has been a pioneer in the development of biomaterials. In addition to the projects mentioned in the "" section, here are other interesting projects that have flourished within the academic programs of Fabricademy, an educational initiative that allows students to explore biomaterials in fashion and design, creating innovative and sustainable solutions for the textile industry.

Fluid Fashion: Olivia Cueva is a multidisciplinary artist, creative technologist, and storyteller from Berkeley, California. During her training at Fabricademy Barcelona 2022-23, she developed Fluid Fashion, an innovative project that features a collection of colorful bioplastic garments, naturally dyed and designed to decompose safely into the earth. This project merges sustainable fashion and technology with a circular approach.

Get Inspired and Experiment

The world of biomaterials allows us to see waste through a different lens, transforming it into high-quality materials. Today, as we experiment with eggshells and mussel shells, we are diving together into this exciting universe. With every project, we can build a more sustainable future, discovering new ways to innovate and care for our planet!

Exploring Fashion and New Materials: Annah-Ololade Sangosanya investigates the dynamic relationship between fashion and new materials, where biology, biochemistry, genetic modifications, and industrial processes converge to drive technological advancements in the textile industry. Inspired by projects like by Margaret Dunne, this exploration redefines fashion through innovative and sustainable materials, showcasing the potential of science to transform the future of design.

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FabTextiles Bioplastic Cookbook
Inspiring Examples in Action