Biomaterials Blog
As of March 2025, I am currently researching innovative approaches to create regenerative cellulose fibers from Kombucha Bacteria Cellulose, as well as developing a procedure to extract cellulose nanocrystals from KBC. Will update website once results are polished and accurate.
Kombucha Bacterial Cellulose
SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast) is used to create a popular drink called "Kombucha." You can also use SCOBY as a biofabric which is similar to leather. The follwing experiements all test p
Experiment 1: Growing SCOBY for baseline study
Two batches of kombcuha were brewed, one using green tea (first study) and one using black tea (second study). This was to test how the bacterial cellulose grew, and if it was research I wanted to investigate further.
Experiment 2: Growing SCOBY in natural dyes
Experiment 3: Growing SCOBY in different liquid mediums
For this experiement, I wanted to see how different liquid mediums would affect the growth and structural properties of the SCOBY.
Week One Update
Week Two Update
Drying Process
SCOBY Vest and SCOBY texture manipulations
Bioplastics
Experiementing creating bioplastics with potato startch, coffee grounds, and glycerol. Tested different molds and textures to see how the material could be manipulated.
Potato Starch
Natural Dyeing
Experiementing creating bioplastics with potato startch, coffee grounds, and glycerol. Tested different molds and textures to see how the material could be manipulated.
Cabbage Dye
Created three different colors from natural dyes using cabbage and an alum mordant.
Bundle Dyeing (Eco printing)
First attempts at using flowers and foliage to create a botanical print.
Rust Dyeing
Current work in progress as of (02/07/2024). Updates coming soon
