Textile Insight

T he University of Rochester is working with Del University of Technology in the Netherlands on a bio-based research project, involving textiles made from algae, that create tough, resilient materials for a variety of applications. e collaboration involves the use of 3D printers and a novel bioprinting technique that prints algae onto a bacterial cellulose. e combination of living algae and the nonliving (bacterial cellulose) component produces a unique material with the photosynthetic quality of the algae and the robustness of the bacterial cellulose. e material is tough yet eco-friendly. While simple, it is scalable to produce. e plant-like nature of the material means it can use photosynthesis to nourish itself, and a small sample of the material can easily regenerate itself to reproduce more materials. e nonliving bacterial cellulose is an or- ganic compound produced and excreted by bacteria, which produces a thick, canvas-like material. Bacterial cellulose has many important mechanical properties, including elasticity, durability, strength, and the ability to maintain its shape, even when twisted, compressed, or physically altered. During the printing process, the bacterial cellulose acts like the paper in a printer, while living microalgae performs as the ink. As the process moves forward, the 3D printer deposits the living algae onto the bacterial cellulose sheet. e microalgae uses photosynthesis to create ever-changing aesthetics that become greener over time. "Since the fabrics are self-sustaining, and only need sunlight to sustain themselves, the fabrics can convert sunlight into sugars and oxygen, and have potentially interesting applications for capturing solar energy and providing needed oxygen in an environmen- tally friendly, and inexpensive way," explains Anne Meyer, Rochester University associate professor of biology and leader on the project. "Our photosynthetic living materials are the first example of an engineered photosynthetic material physically robust enough to be de- ployed for real-world applications which has not been possible before!" Challenges & Future Possibilities e team is exploring the possibilities of creating living fabrics with different, new functions. However, in these early stages, the team has no immediate plans to produce the materials commercially, feeling more research is required, including printing onto other materials. "We've had good success printing the algae onto a small variety of different fabric types, as well as different synthetic blends," notes Meyers. "In principle, our 3D printer should be able to deposit the algae onto any type of fabric surface, but additional research is still needed." Another challenge is the limited color range. "Currently, the algae that we 3D-print is naturally a light green color, which turns darker green as the materials grow and pro- liferate," adds Meyer. "Potentially, we could make similar material in new colors by using different algae species that are reddish brown in color." ese 3D-printed algae fabrics are appealing to environmentally-savvy con- sumers because they are fully renewable. n Kathlyn Swantko is founder of FabricLink Network: www.fabriclink.com; kswantko@fabriclink.com. Simple, Sustainable, Scalable Research on Bio-Based Fabric Made from Living Algae. By Kathlyn Swantko Rochester University's Research featuring 3D printed algae onto a bio-based, nonliving bacterial cellulose material. EDUCATION / UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER FabricLink.com TheTechnicalCenter.com "Thank you for all the support you have provided to Concept III over the years. You know how much we value it. Keep up the good work!" David Parkes President Concept III Textiles Why clients are excited about the benefits of The FabricLink Network Partnership Opportunities: Kristi Rummel kristi@rummelmedia.com 608.435.6220 Editorial Opportunities: Kathy Swantko kgswantko@fabricklink.com 818.345.7501 How will they find you, if you're not there? The FabricLink Network THE Networking / Education Search Engine for ALL Things Textile Related! FL-TTC-TI-2016-2_Layout 1 9/19/19 11:54 AM Page 1 textileinsight.com Spring 2023 ~ Textile Insight • 37

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