Material Investigations III

4 Mar

I was doodling thinking what if I formed works from individually moulded forms of algae-based bioplastic (ABP). How could I make these forms? What if I poured liquid algae-based bioplastic (ABP) into sand? Given algae’s affiliation with the ocean, this was possibly a non-toxic, economical way to make a mould. I knew it likely sand would get caught in the surface of the ABP but thought once it was set, I might be able to wash it off.

As this was just an experiment, rather than waste agar powder, I melted together earlier ABP tests of a similar colour to conduct the test. It was interesting to observe that all the older ABP melted into a liquid which was just like a fresh batch proving that after six months it was recyclable with no seeming diminishment in the viability of the material.

I obtained some sand from the beach which I rinsed and let dry until it was a level of dampness which held shapes drawn into it. I poured in the ABP, then made another shape thinking they would fuse together. I had previously made sheets of ABP which were made from layers so assumed this would have the same outcome. This was not the case, the two layers did not fuse so if I used this method I would need to mould a complete piece, an experiment I also carried out at the same time. After the ABP forms had cured for a day, I gently scrubbed off as much sand as I could but not all of it. As I expected moulding the forms in the sand created a rougher surface than if I poured the ABP on a smoother surface and it was not glossy.

I placed the forms in a sealed fridge (not running) and after 2 weeks noted that mycelium had started growing (mostly on the underside). I have encountered this before and thought to try a mould inhibitor that is usually mixed with paint. I brushed the mould inhibitor mixed with water and placed it back in the fridge to see if the mould would stop growing on the forms.

Possibilities