Make Me With’s Post

For the fifth time, Studio Peipei led a #workshop for the Master in Design through New Materials at Elisava School of Design and Engineering This time on the topic of "Natural Fibers". There are so many forgotten or barely known natural fibers, but at the same time, plastic is also everywhere in fabrics. With a recycling rate that is still close to zero. As designers, we can change this because, after all, we design products. The workshop is therefore intended to help students discover healthier alternatives. #naturalfibers #materialdesign

Insights into ReConcrete and Enforced Carbonation Technology Developing new technologies is inherently challenging. As we explore novel mechanisms and properties, we must ensure that the materials are not only economically viable but also high-performing and durable—especially in the construction industry. Our journey with #ReConcrete and enforced carbonation technology has allowed us to understand the mechanisms and exploit them synergistically. In the image below, you’ll see the impressive Levvel-blocs—a large concrete element. These blocks are made from our new composite cement and concrete, which contains recycled and carbonated concrete paste sourced from demolished structures and calcined clay. During this project, I gained valuable insights: 💡 Understanding Mechanisms: Properly comprehending the reactions and processes involved is crucial for designing effective products. By delving into the underlying mechanisms, we optimize our solutions. 💡 Economic and Technological Considerations: From project initiation, we emphasize both economic feasibility and technological factors. Balancing these aspects ensures successful outcomes. 💡 Laboratory and Industrial Testing: Rigorous testing—both in the lab and at an industrial scale—validates hypotheses and demonstrates product performance. This step is essential for confidence in our innovations. 💡 Collaboration and Perspective Enrichment: Engaging with colleagues and co-workers broadens our understanding. Diverse perspectives lead to better solutions. I extend my gratitude to my colleagues at Heidelberg Materials and (Jan Skocek, Nicolas Pato, Mohsen Ben Haha, Dominik Nied, Patrick Ullrich and ANC-lab, Wolfgang Dienemann, Przemek Spiesz), our external partners (Jiayi Song and Jørgen Skibsted) for their invaluable cooperation and support. Our journey doesn’t end here. We continue to deepen our understanding, conduct further tests, and generate new reports and products on circular technology and enforced carbonation. Stay tuned for exciting developments!

⚙️ Creative Engineering Microlesson 🛠 ❓ How does biomimicry inspire innovative engineering solutions? 🙋 Biomimicry involves engineers and designers looking to nature for inspiration to solve human problems, by imitating the designs and ideas found in the natural world. ⏳ The concept of biomimicry has been informally used for centuries, but it was popularized in the 1990s by biologist Janine Benyus, who observed how nature's time-tested patterns and strategies could offer sustainable solutions to human challenges. 💡 Did you know the design of Japan's Shinkansen Bullet Train was inspired by the kingfisher bird? Engineers modeled the train’s nose after the bird's beak, significantly reducing noise and improving speed and energy efficiency. 🔍 Biomimicry applies biological methods and systems found in nature to the study and design of engineering systems and modern technology. This approach not only encourages sustainability but also leads to innovations that are efficient and beneficial for our environment. For example, studying the structure of a lotus leaf, which repels water and dirt, has led to the development of advanced waterproof materials. 🌎 From architecture to the automotive industry, biomimicry has the potential to revolutionize how we build and innovate, offering solutions that are more efficient and environmentally friendly. It encourages a shift towards sustainable engineering practices, focusing on the responsible stewardship of renewable and nonrenewable resources, as well as harmonizing with the inherent design of nature by our Creator. 🎯 Choose an object or process in your daily life, research a natural organism or ecosystem that solves a similar problem, and sketch out how nature’s strategy could be applied to improve the design or process. This exercise will enhance your understanding of biomimicry and stimulate creativity in everyday problem-solving. #Engineering #HAMSTER #SchoolAlive

Bringing new products to life as industrial designers, I firmly believe that we also have a fair share of responsibility for the resources used by and for our designs. Structurally integrating sustainable design principles into every step of the design process is essential to achieve a circular economy, from integrating sustainability on a conceptual system level to minimising a product’s energy consumption, choosing the right materials, and enabling easy disassembly. I very much enjoyed deepening my knowledge of sustainable design and engineering methods to improve the #reuse, #repair, #remanufacturing, and #recycling of products for a circular economy through the course “𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆" taught by Delft University of Technology, Technische Universität Clausthal, Leiden University and Swerea IVF. #circulareconomy #industrialdesign #sustainablebydesign Image credits #ellenmcarthurfoundation

Designers are listening more closely to materials, delving deeper into their properties and sources, and in many cases, even experimenting with their own bio-materials. The question shifts from "What do we need a material to do?" to "What does the material want to do?" "This is what can be called a material-driven process, letting the material possibilities drive the direction and usage [of a material]. In the end, it led us to four different materials with very different properties." Natural Material Studio turns wood offcuts into biomaterials to "utilise the whole tree" https://lnkd.in/euCeGt4G Big thanks to Craig Whitehead for sending this on. #fabricandfinishesfriday

When a thought becomes a vision, and a vision becomes a conceptual #design. How a #waste material can become a #innovative solution. One #solution of what #plastic waste can become, #housing a requirement globally. When you have an idea, give it life and build it in the 3D design environment. The possibilities are endless. #greenenergy #innovation #recycle #engineering #build

🚀 Exciting Investment Opportunity with NEXOFAB Europe BV! 🌍 Are you ready to be at the forefront of a revolution in sustainable construction? At NEXOFAB Europe BV, we are transforming the construction industry with our cutting-edge NEXO Technology, which integrates advanced 3D printing, recycled plastics, and state-of-the-art energy management systems. 🔹 What We Do: Innovative Technology: Leveraging advanced 3D printing to create modular, self-supporting elements from recycled materials. Energetic Prefab Elements (EPEs): Equipped with photovoltaic cells and AI-powered energy management platforms (NexoSMART and NexoGRID). Global Reach: Expanding interest and licensing requests from Europe, the US, Australia, India, and beyond. 🔹 Why Invest?: Deep Tech & Scalability: Positioning ourselves for rapid growth and unicorn status with advanced materials and disruptive technology. Commitment to SDGs: Aligned with key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and adhering to LEED standards. Dynamic R&D: Ongoing research and development to foster innovation and scalability through global lessor partnerships. We are actively seeking visionary investors to join us in shaping the future of construction. 📅 Book a meeting via our website: nexofab.eu 📧 Or email us at: info@nexofab.eu Don’t miss the chance to be part of this exciting journey! #InvestmentOpportunity #SustainableConstruction #Innovation #DeepTech #NEXOFAB #CleanEnergy #AdvancedMaterials #GlobalExpansion #FutureOfBuilding

As designers, we cannot force change. But, as McKayla Barber says—we can be powerful catalysts for the change that needs to happen.    Designing a better world is the ultimate collaborative project.  Over the years, Delve has been honored to partner with innovators and entrepreneurs who share our vision of designing a better world, together. A few of our favorite projects: ⚙️ A smart faucet to reduce unnecessary water usage https://lnkd.in/egeSkbzn ⚙️ A personal solar-powered grid to deliver affordable power in developing countries https://lnkd.in/e7fcr_zN ⚙️ A platform to connect developing countries to the Internet https://lnkd.in/eUUv_wpN   -- Delve is a product innovation firm that helps companies bring bold ideas to market through human-centered expertise— strategy, design, engineering. Learn more about Product Design and Development services at Delve: https://lnkd.in/eJys2_vG #productdesign #WhatsYourWhy #sustainabledesign

If we want to stop climate change, there is no way around one sector: the construction industry. After all, it is already responsible for almost 40 % of global CO₂ emissions. Prof Philipp Alexander Eversmann and his team at the University of Kassel want to help bring about a radical shift in building materials towards renewable resources and the transition to a circular economy. They are currently researching how to combine biomaterials with digital manufacturing technologies and make them available for architecture. To this end, they want to utilise digital design, robotic manufacturing processes and biomaterials that absorb CO₂ during their growth process. And they have chosen a very special biomaterial for this: fungi - or more precisely their root network, the mycelium. What makes the production process of their technology so attractive is the possibility of growing the material into specific shapes, adapting the material properties or producing reinforced composite materials. ‘This opens up completely new design possibilities for us,’ explains Eversmann, ‘but also requires a lot of knowledge that we first have to acquire.’ Here you can find out exactly where the researcher is with his project, where he wants to go and how the Foundation is supporting him: https://lnkd.in/egEDHTpH #Transdisciplinarity #Sustainability #Biotechnology

Stanford Designer has made bricks out of fast growing Mushrooms that are stronger than concrete. Bay-area designer Philip Ross is revolutionizing construction with his patented "mushroom bricks," made from the mycelium of reishi mushrooms. These bricks are incredibly durable, waterproof, non-toxic, fire-resistant, and biodegradable. Ross has already showcased their potential with "Mycotecture," a 6x6 arch, and plans to build a house for 12-20 people using this innovative material. Stronger than concrete and potentially replacing plastic polymers, mycelium bricks are a promising eco-friendly building solution. Discover more about this groundbreaking technology from Mycoworks! #EcoFriendly #Innovation #SustainableLiving