BCI #6
10.29.2021, Backyard
Blue sky, slight chill, (46℉), 11:02am
The objective of today’s observations was to think about my biomimetic design as if it were complete. What would be the functions it performs? What strategies from nature are used? How is my design more sustainable and innovative than comparable products on the market?
BE
A beautiful morning. A bit of a chill in the air as I sat in my backyard awaiting the sun to get higher in the sky to shine on the place where I sat. It would be another hour or so until the sun would hit, so I closed my eyes and listened and observed my surroundings.
I didn’t wear shoes, the stones beneath my feet felt very cold. I had to lift them onto the iron seat beside me for some relief. The air was crisp on my face and cold as I inhaled through my nose, my coffee was cooling quickly in my mug. A slight breeze rustled the leaves of nearby trees, some of which I heard fall to the ground.
Our songbirds were chatty, there was a squirrel in the front yard squawking at something, and a blue jay called off in the distance. The birds in our cedar trees flew back and forth across the patio, their wings beating quickly in unison as they passed by my ear.
CONTEMPLATE
My design - a sweater that regulates temperature - in its final form would regulate temperature through moisture-wicking, provide a barrier from wind and rain, and respond to solar energy to maintain and circulate heat even in dark or cloudy conditions. It would be stylish, comfortable for the wearer with classic shape, but an interesting weave and color.
Color is an interesting component. The core of the weave is dark to absorb solar energy and the surrounding fibers respond to solar energy as the heat circulates, which can alter the color as it regulates its flow of energy. Like the leaves in autumn, as chlorophyll breaks down to stop the process of making food, the fabric fades from a vibrant blue-green, to yellow or orange.
IMAGINE
Sweaters in the consumer marketplace today or often made of synthetic fibers, originating as fossil fuels miles beneath the earths surface. Tonnes of pressure and force are used to extract crude oil and in doing so methane gasses are released into our atmosphere. We talk a lot about methane from cattle farming, but imagine the amounts of gasses expelled from the depths of our soils.
Beyond the forces used on the earth to extract the oil, several other environmentally detrimental processes follow: extraction of petroleum, polymerization of ethelyne, more heat and pressure used to create textile fiber, toxins released into the air/water/soil, manufacturing, transport and distribution, and finally when the end product reaches the consumer, microplastics are released through friction and abrasion from wearing and washing, leading to more pollution in our air/water/soil.
How is my design any more sustainable or innovative? Using natural fibers (a combination of plant and animal fibers from farms with regenerative practices) the process begins in a naturally-occuring way with little human force via heat/pressure. Water is used to grow the crops, requiring solar energy, and the animals are fed on sustainably grown feed. The process of converting the fiber into yarns is also done using water and solar energy.
The innovation occurs in the knit/weave and how the fibers react to solar energy based on their orientation. The color fades to preserve energy, providing a unique experience for the wearer, showing a one-of-a-kind look and features of comfort that respond to the external forces of heat or cold in the environment and thermal energy that radiates from the wearer. The garment conforms to the shape of the wearer for maximum comfort and responds to the environment providing a unique experience in visual and tactile form.
Excited to develop this idea more!