Robotically 3D printed yeast-based materials for architectural design and renovation

PhD student: Yagmur Bektas

Main supervisor: Malgorzata Zboinska

Co-supervisors: Cecilia Geijer, Tiina Nypelö

Examiner: Liane Thuvander

In this 10% seminar, the aim is to discuss the first research results, strategies of their presentation and communication, and plans for the next stages of the research, focusing on the architectural integration of the material in buildings.

Research theme:

Robotically 3D printed yeast-based materials for architectural design and renovation

Summary/description:

This PhD project contributes to the research project “Resource efficient renovation using a 3D printable material from underutilized biomass” funded by the Swedish Energy Agency. Therein, we address an acute sustainability issue of the prevalent use of fossil-based, energy-wasteful materials in renovation. The aim is to establish a more resource- and energy-efficient alternative, composed from underutilized biomass upcycled from industry side stream products, comprising microorganisms and cellulose. The new material is 3D printable and will act as an impregnating coating applied onto aged building elements to protect them from further degradation and to restore their aesthetic value, eliminating premature replacement and prolonging their life span. It can also be 3D printed as lightweight second-skin panels, to modernize existing facades and interiors with a fully biodegradable, circular and energy-efficient alternative to fossil-based solutions. Via an exceptional knowledge crossover between architectural design, biotechnology and materials science, the project will derive several recipes for the new material featuring various functional properties, its architectural design and 3D printing strategies, and physical demonstrators showing practical uses in full-scale architectonic elements.