Cork(bio material)
Material: Dead cells derived from specific Oak trees.
Manufacturer / Company: A natural material modernly developed by Pierre Perignon (Bottle cork seals)
Country / Place (town, state, city) of Origin: It was discovered to be used during the early ages in countries such as Egypt, Ancient Greece, and Rome
general material qualities: Natural, non-toxic, recyclable, biodegradable, and does not need any pesticides or irrigation to keep it in tact.
List the main applications/uses: Glass bottle seals(wine), bulletin boards, and roofing panels. (Other uses included shoe insoles, gaskets, safety helmet liners, bottle stoppers, dartboards, bulletin boards, and cores for golf balls and baseballs)
writing response:
Cork is a versatile, bio-material made from the dead cells of Cork Oak trees and has been used for generations, dating back to early years when geographers discovered it being used for glass storage in various regions. Today, it is widely used in different applications. The most common being the corks that seal our wine. I think that cork is a pretty safe material to use since it poses no harmful or toxic effects on us as consumers and the environment as a whole. The only form of chemically processing would be the chlorinated lime baths that manufacturers dunk the cork material in along with citric acid for neutralization. There are no health risks with this method. The collecting of dead cells is simply the act of taking advantage of decay, which can be beneficial to reuse unwanted materials to create useful, natural products.
Aerogel(techno material)
material: silica, carbon/carbon nanotubes, organic polymers, semiconductor- nanostructures,, and various oxides.
Manufacturer / Company: Samuel Stephens Kistler (1931)
Country / Place (town, state, city) of Origin: US
General material qualities: relatively environmentally friendly, recyclable, non-toxic, and versatile. It is a durable material that can carry many times more weight than its own, and is very useful in lots of appliances.
List the main applications/uses: Aerogel is found in lots of products. Insulation is its most popular application. Aerogel is very versatile, especially with its durability and low density. It can hold a lot of weight while still remaining in tact.
Aerogel is a transparent foam like gel material that is synthetic. It’s a techno-material that is produced by extracting the liquid from a gel through a method called superficial drying. Aerogel’s production methods used to have some harmful effects from chemicals and certain materials that were sourced out, but eventually it was made less complicated and dangerous. Aerogel’s durability and fascinating structure has made it quite popular over the years, and is being introduced into manufacturing methods step by step. Some notable features include its low thermal conductivity, low sound speed, low refractive index, lightweight nature, and durability. Aerogel’s most popular application would be its powerful Insulation properties. This has changed the game with many clothing manufacturers and house insulation. Although aerogels used in houses are somewhat environmentally friendly and pose no health risks, they can only be disposed in landfill sites or toxic waste locations which is a pretty huge issue with the environment. That doesn’t stop the production of the material because of its useful benefits.
D3O(techno material)
Material: polyurethane foam
Manufacturer / Company: Dr Phil Green and Richard Palmer (1999)
Country / Place (town, state, city) of Origin: UK
general material qualities: protective material, durable, dilatant (non-newtonian), versatile,
List the main applications/uses: protective gear (military gear, football helmets, padding, phone cases, ecs)
Written response:
D3O is a revolutionary foamy goo that is extremely versatile in what it could be formed into. This durable product can save lives in the military and prevent injury or harm in the sports industry. This material reacts when brute force is applied, creating a barrier of protection that can withstand almost any kind of impact. Even though D3O is not necessarily biological, it has no health or environmental effects linked to its chemical makeup. With a product like this, it can do a lot of good in our society and the conflicts that go on today. The D3O lab is located in South London, and they have their own website with information about the company, and products you can purchase.
