Progress on Bio-Material and Sprouting Experiments

This week, I’ve made some progress with my second project, continuing to explore interlocking gelatin pieces and sprouting experiments. While this isn’t the first update, it’s worth sharing the adjustments and findings I’ve been working on.

Laser-Cut Gelatin: Refinements in Interlocking Pieces

I’ve been further refining my laser-cut gelatin pieces, focusing on achieving a more precise fit between the interlocking components. The goal remains the same: to create a modular system that can be assembled into clothing.

The main adjustment has been tweaking the laser settings to reduce edge fragility, which was an issue in earlier prototypes. I’m also exploring variations in shape to balance structural integrity with ease of assembly. While progress is steady, there’s still work to be done to make these pieces more durable.

Sprouting Updates: Material Comparisons

For the sprouting aspect of the project, I’ve continued experimenting with chia and chickpeas, focusing on two substrates: fabric and gelatin bio-material.

1. Fabric-Based SproutingThe chia seeds are performing well on fabric, adhering easily and sprouting consistently. Chickpeas, however, are less predictable and require more careful monitoring to achieve uniform growth.

2. Bio-Material SproutingOn the gelatin material, both seeds are sprouting, but with some differences. Chia integrates better with the surface, I am still experimenting and I am excited to see how it will turn out

   
   

These observations are helping me decide how to better pair seeds with substrates for future iterations.

Challenges and Next Steps

• Moisture Management: Ensuring both the fabric and bio-material maintain the right level of moisture without compromising their structural integrity remains a challenge.

• Uniform Growth: I’m working on ways to improve seed distribution and adhesion for more predictable sprouting patterns.

• Design Integration: Moving forward, I’ll focus on incorporating these findings into a functional prototype that merges the interlocking pieces with sprouting elements.

This update reflects ongoing work rather than breakthroughs, but each step brings me closer to understanding the possibilities and limitations of these materials. I’ll continue refining these processes and documenting outcomes as they develop.