Plastic
Tunable Material
Liquid film with switchable properties Dynamic natural processes are inspiring a new generation of adaptive material technologies. The tears that coat human eyes, for example,
Photoluminescent Bioplastic
Light-emitting biopolymer Bioplastics offer a broad range of characteristics suitable for design and architectural applications. Architect Peter Yeadon experiments with various configurations of bioplastics and
CO2-Impregnated Polymers
CO2 infusion-based plastic coating CO2 has a negative reputation for its significant contribution to global warming. However, CO2 also exhibits some positive features that may
Zeoform
Cellulose-based polymer One of the first plastics was made from cellulose. In 1855 scientist Alexander Parkes created the first thermoplastic out of nitrocellulose and camphor.
Chitosan Bioplastic
Chitin-based biodegradable polymer Scientists at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering have developed a new biopolymer that mimics the toughness, durability, and flexibility
Fibonacci’s Mashrabiya
Fractal-based environmental screen Mashrabiya is an Arabic term for a type of bay window with carved wooden latticework. A traditional element of Arabic architecture, the
VarVac
Variable vacuum-formed plastic Although vacuum-forming molds are typically costly, the parts they produce are relatively inexpensive due to the economy of mass production. Vacuum-formed thermoplastics
Landscapes Within
Hybrid plastic and wood furniture Landscapes Within is a collection of furniture that contains visible inclusions of natural materials, combining the traditional craft of basketry
Plag
Recycled HDPE vessels Plag represents designer Waël Seaiby’s noble effort to upcycle the disposable plastic bag. Approximately one million such bags are used each minute
Self-Healing PUU
Self-healing poly(urea-urethane) elastomer Self-healing plastics automatically restore themselves when damaged. These materials conventionally mend broken bonds with the aid of an external stimulus, such as
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