The experiment I decided to document was Microbial Leather my document consisted of journal entries in the Notes app of my phone. I would check on the microbe every 3 days, record what my friends initial thoughts were, as well as my own.

 

February 20th, 2017

• Received materials to begin project

Before, placing the scobi into the water I measured the circumference of it to 5.5 cm wide by 4.5cm

My initial thoughts while I was making the project was being extra careful to not contaminate the items in the bucket, as well as the scobi I watched several videos to make sure I was doing it correctly. I was drawn to this experiment because the final products of what Microbial Leather can become shocked me and the smell was a little pleasant to me.

Throughout the week I would check on it several times, but I realized that it would take time.

Day 8-10

The scobi began floating just a little above the bottom about 1/2 an inch (in the picture above)

Day 12-14

Now, it has been two weeks and I decided to move the container on top of the radiator and I also turned the heat up to 73 degrees, originally the temperature would be set at 72 degrees with low fan speed. I also noticed that the scobi only settled in one place in the container even when I would lift the container it would float back and forth then rest back in the left side of the container.

Day 16-18

 

 

 

The sugar that settled at the bottom was all gone and little remnants of brown particles surfaced the top and bottom of the scobi and container (photo above), there was an area of black spots that started forming not to far from the scobi. I was unsure and began thinking if I had used any unclean utensils when lifting up the scobi but I just removed the two spots with my spatula (photo below).

Day 18-20

The color of the water also began changing it became a lot lighter in color and when looking along the sides of the container they were the darkest. While, I lifted the cover a film appeared at the top and I was excited that it began to make progress, the smell was still pleasant to me as well.

The last measurements I took were a width of 8cm by 7.5 cm, the scobi was also a lot slimmer and size and was stretched out more since I started. The water also decreased in size as well the gallon of water was measured at 3 inches and had gone down 21/2 inches.

I also kept note of the comments and questions I got while doing the experiment. My take aways from doing this assignment is that I noticed I was not afraid to touch or put my face into the water as I got comfortable while it was growing. I wouldn’t say it was fear but I was a lot more open to engaging with the microbe in my environment. What I would have differently was keep a closer watch of it while it was in my room, it would remind me to constantly check on it. The feeling of the microbe was very fine in between my fingers and the film slid through my palms when I held the scobi. I already began thinking of different ways in how to manipulate the scobi so it can function into my product design.