BIOCOLLABORATIONS IN THE DESIGN PROCESS: A PILOT EXPERIMENT ON THE PRODUCTION OF MASK FROM MICROBIAL CELLULOSE

ABSTRACT

The growth of cities, the excessive use of natural resources, and the agglomeration of undegradable materials in nature are very common problems in recent years and whose results are seen more and more every day. Latest, with the "Covid-19" pandemic, which was declared as a global epidemic in 2020, petroleum-based medical masks with disposable and non-biodegradable properties became one of the most used products. This situation has led to an increase in the damage to the environment. The aim of this study is to seek for an environmentally friendly alternative to medical masks that are frequently used in daily life by incorporating biocollaborative approaches into the design process. In this direction, the microbial cellulose application obtained by the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast was used to create the surface. The use of microbial cellulose in design-related fields is a topic that is only recently becoming widespread and researched. There is not much academic research in this field, especially on a national scale, and the article aims to contribute to the literature in this context. The recipe of the mask consists of easily accessible materials to be easily produced in the home environment and Kombucha culture was used as a source of microbial cellulose. During the experiment process, different experimental environments and coloring experiments were made, and a mask design with origami folding was carried out to take the shape of the human face more easily as a final product, to enrich the potential for folding and its aesthetic appearance. The medical use of the developed mask, the efficiency of use and the physical properties of the surface require detailed analysis and research. As a result, within the scope of this study, an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional methods for medical masks has been presented and the potential of microbial cellulose to replace plastic-based masks has been revealed. Using growing biomaterials and incorporating them into the design field can be a unique opportunity to use materials with a truly sustainable production method. © 2022. Tekstil ve Muhendis.All Rights Reserved