Material Investigations VI
While I have had some issues with mould in previous experiments, it has been quite a problem in recent material investigations. I assume this is because of the warmer weather and damp conditions of this summer season. I have also not used the dehumidifier to dry works out quicker which I was doing last year. The thinner works are ok but the thicker ones are growing mould. While this produces some quite cool effects, especially when illuminated, it may not be a good idea to pursue for health reasons ( I perhaps need to do some research on mould types). The mould seems to be on the surface (maybe about 1mm deep into the ABP) as can be seen below.
I have done some tests previously with bleach and vinegar to try to inhibit mould. If the ABP is soaked in bleach and water it seems prone to disintegrate. Although vinegar kills mould it did not seem all that effective if I wiped or soaked the ABP in a solution of it. With my recent mouldy problem, I undertook some further testing in Material Investigations VI to try to find a method to inhibit mould growth which is discussed further below.
Possibilities:
What if I let mould grow rampant on a work? Could this give context to a notion of life, death, decomposition and time within a work? ABP, bodies of water like human bodies decomposing as water contained within evaporates back into the continuously flowing cycle of water on the earth.
Mould and bacterial growth on ABP
Mould and bactarial growth on ABP (backlit)
Showing the depth of the mould growth
The above gallery shows a test to see if mould can be controlled. Taking small sections of a thick piece of algae-based bioplastic that had started growing mould I decided to do an open air test and a sealed test. For 2 pieces I sliced a thin section off the top and bottom to remove the mould and treated with a solution of Stop‘z Mould . The other 2 pieces I left as is. The first image shows 2 pieces in a sealed container in an attempt to stop further spores attaching to the pieces of ABP. The wood lids of the container were treated with Stop‘z Mould to prevent further contamination. The second photo shows the other pieces which were just left exposed on a piece of wood (also treated with Stop‘z Mould). The third and fourth image shows the exposed pieces after about 24 hours in comparison to pieces that were contained. The treated piece had almost completely dried out and no mould was present. The untreated one had not dried out totally (it was slightly thicker) and there was a little additional mould growth. After 3 days the treated piece has no mould growth and the untreated piece has, although now dry, did accumulate more mould. The contained pieces have not dried much after three days, however the untreated piece has grown a little more mould but the treated piece has not grown any mould. This indicates that the Stop‘z Mould is effective.
I tried another experiment on 2 sheets I had set in steel trays that had begun growing mould. I treated one on the right, wiping it with a solution of water and Stop‘z Mould (10 parts water to 1 part Stop‘z Mould). After 3 days there was some mould growth on the treated piece of ABP but significantly less than the untreated piece as can be seen in the second image below.
In making work it may be useful to use Stop‘z Mould from the outset in conjunction with the dehumidifier to prevent mould growth. I also could be more fastidious in ensuring surfaces and containers are cleaned and properly sanitised prior to pouring ABP (and keep the cats off the table when making work).
Testing with Stop’z Mould - Day 1
Untreated ABP (left)
Treated ABP (right)
Testing with Stop’z Mould - Day 3
Mould grown significantly on untreated ABP
Much less mould growth on treated ABP
