015 - COFFEE WITH DAVID EDWARDS

At Guru's day I spoke to Clement Seeballuck who put me in contact with David Edwards who is a senior lecturer at the School of Dentistry. Over coffee I explained the aim of my project to get his viewpoint and any ideas or tips he had for me. Here are my notes from this conversation.

Aim of project : to present some sort of visual representation of data/statistics/information regarding climate change (directly or indirectly) using innovative (ways to use) materials

“One of the main criticisms of wearable tech/computers is the bulky cyborg appearance that can be obtrusive.”

Bio materials

- how are these sustainable?

- can they be recycled/composted?

Laura Bowker : an alchemist uses embedded ink that changes colour depending on the climate condition (pollution absorbing ink - PolC12)

When you look at my project I want you to have learnt something

“The process of integrating textiles with technology isn’t surface deep, it begins at a molecular level”

1MT of fabric waste ends up in landfill each year - how can we disrupt the 5billion dollar industry?

Disrupt it constructively

Morphotex - colourful textile that doesn’t use any pigments (the name comes from a South African butterfly) microscopic scales reflect blue wavelengths. Their wings are covered in microscopic scales that reflect light in a manner similar to photonics crystal, angling and retracing it in a way that reflects the blue wavelengths found in ambient light. Recyclable without producing any contaminated liquid in the process

Spider silk - research into this

Sphagnum moss - climate change indicator. It’s safe and odourless

Making graduation caps with moss on top, giving the ceremony potential carbon neutrality

Activism - sending a message

Nanullose - new plant free sustainable fibre

Cellulose - uses the naturally occurring process of fermentation (can it be a continuous creation?)

- organic liquid waste streams to grow microbial cellulose

Rotting - microscopic images - photographing microbes

Radiation monitoring devices (for doctors)

E.g the radiation dosimetry badge

Electromagnetic/waves detection fabric

So a sleeve that changes colour/state gradually to demonstrate how much time you spend on electronic devices?

Microscopic photography as indication of climate change.

For texture and colour?