A (naturally) amber-coloured hard bioresin, gelatin-based.
An alginate based, heat-resistant and waterproof semi-transparent, matte foil
### Physical form
Solids
Surfaces
Color without additives: transparent, yellow/orange/amber colored.
Color without additives: semi-transparent, white when layered
### Fabrication time
Preparation time: 1 Hour
Preparation time: 1 hour (plus resting overnight)
Processing time: 5-10 days
Processing time: 5-7 days
Need attention: None, just leave it to dry as long as is feasible with lots of airflow.
Need attention: daily, to check if sheet needs to be taped down to stay in place on the mold
Final form achieved after: 10 days
Final form achieved after: 7 days
## Ingredients
***Gelatine powder - 96 gr**
* Functions as the polymeer (so it becomes a solid)
***Glycerine - 16 gr**
* Functions as plasticizer that bonds with the gelatine (makes it flexible).
***Water - 480 ml/gr**
* To dissolve and mix the polymeer and plasticizer
***Sodium alginate powder - 12 gr**
* the polymeer (so it becomes a solid)
***Glycerine - 20 gr**
* the plasticizer that bonds with the alginate (makes it flexible).
***Water - 400 ml/gr**
* to dissolve and mix the polymeer and plasticizer
* optional: use a (diluted) natural dye instead for a colored plastic
***Sunflower oil - 10 gr**
* filler to reduce shrinkage
***Calcium chloride solution 10% (10 gr to 100 gr water)**
* is the curing agent: calcium chloride attracts moisture very strongly: spraying it onto the alginate plastic starts the curing process.
## Tools
1.**Cooker or stove** (optional: temperature controlled)
1.**Pot**
1.**Scale**
1.**Moulds** (ideally with removeable base to increase airflow). I have modular silicon walls with metal wire inside them that allow me to cast and then turn the moulds on their side for more airflow and drying from top and bottom. I use a silicon or acrylic sheet with these mould walls.
1.**Spoon**
1.**Blender**
2.**Glass jar with lid**
3.**Spray bottle** (150 ml contents, for the calcium chloride solution)
2.**Acrylic sheet** smooth surface to cast the foil onto. A smooth surface will create a smooth matte foil.
3.**A strip of acrylic or squeeguee** to push the alginate mixture into place and form an even and flat rectangle
3.**Painting tape** to tape down if edges of the sheet start to come off of the surface
4.**Kitchen paper** to soak up the water that will be released from the alginate mixture
## Yield before processing/drying/curing
Approx. 300 ml (make sure to evaporate a lot of water during cooking time)
Approx. 200 ml of alginate plastic that can be stored for two weeks and used for any alginate application
Approx. 100 ml of calcium chloride 10% solution that can be used for any alginate recipe
## Method
1.**Preparation**
- Weigh your ingredients for the alginate plastic (alginate, glycerine, water) in a blender
- Optional: use a diluted natural dye instead of water in the same amount for a colored plastic.
- Leave the mixture overnight to allow the bubbles to come to the surface and pop.
- Weigh your ingredients
- Prepare the mold and find a place where you can leave it for a while, ideally near an open window where there's air flow.
1.**Mixing and dissolving the ingredients**
- bring the water to the boil
- optional: add natural dye if you wish to use color
- add the glycerine
- add the gelatine
- keep the temperature below 80 degrees celcius while stirring *very very slowly and gently* to avoid making bubbles. I prefer a simple spoon to do this, not a whisk.
1.**Cooking the ingredients**
- Simmer and slowly stir the mixture between 60-80 degrees celcius for at least 20 minutes or up to an hour. Turn it lower when bubbles appear: you don't want the liquid to move, don't boil it. This sample has some bubbles due to vigorous mixing.
- Longer cooking time allows more water to evaporate. You will get a thicker liquid. To cast larger volumes and solids with this recipe, evaporate a lot of water, until it's very thick.
1.**Casting**
- Let the liquid cool for a couple minutes until it gels a little but is still liquid and pourable.
- Cast into the mould slowly to avoid bubbles
- Pour from the middle and hold still, let the liquid distribute itself.
- Put the mould away to dry in a cool place with lots of air flow (like near an open window). A warmer place might speed up the drying process but also allow bacteria to grow faster and can result in fungal growth.
- If the mould has a removable base, remove it after 4-8 hours and put the mould on its side to allow air flow from both sides.
- When using a flexible mould: let it dry without releasing to keep the form as much as possible. The resin will likely shrink and release itself from the mold. If it feels cold to the touch it is still drying. If you are using a rigid mold: release after 4-8 hours and dry flat.
- Prepare some space on an acrylic or glass surface
- Pour the alginate onto the acrylic sheet and use the squeeguee or acrylic strip to mold the liquid into a rectangular shape of about 3-5mm high
- Spray the sheet with the calcium chloride solution (use quite a lot)
- Let it sit for a few minutes, then spray again if you see the liquid is starting to ooze out from the sides. The film that is created in the curing process can break from the weight of the liquid bubble. By respraying you can close these until the sheet is cured enough and stable to dry further.
- The alginate can release quite a lot of water at this stage, so it's wise to place some kitchen paper around it to absorb excess water.
### Drying/curing/growth process
- Mold depth: 7 cm (filled up until 2.5cm high)
- Mold depth: N/A
- Shrinkage thickness: 20-30 %
- Shrinkage width/length: 20-30 %
- Shrinkage width/length: 10-20 %
**Shrinkage and deformation control**
Letting it dry up to ten days to get to the final form. It will be flexible at first but will slowly harden until its totally rigid.
Keep an eye on the sheet every few hours, especially on the first day. The thinner edges of the sheet might curl up when drying and pull of parts of the sheet. When it comes off it will start to warp. Taping it down onto the acrylic helps to keep it in place an dry in shape.
Let it dry up to seven days to get to the final form. When it no longer feels cool to the touch it is dry enough to take off. If you want to trim the edges do it while the foil is still a bit softer for a clean cut.
**Curing agents and release agents**
None.
Calcium chloride 10% as curing agent
**Minimum wait time before releasing from mold**
Using a silicon mold: 7 days (or until it comes undone)
3 days but ideally a week
**Post-processing**
Store in a dry and ventilated room.
trim the edges with scissors or a scalper and ruler if you wish
**Further research needed on drying/curing/growth?**
Casting larger volumes without growing fungus/mold, and limited warping can be challenging. Fillers like debris or egg shells can help. More research can be done on ideal conditions for drying larger volumes.
The resin does not cure evenly across the surface, some might be negotiated by shaving off some slides while it is still relatively soft and flexible.
Not sure
### Process
*Evaporating water until the liquid is thick like honey, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Preparing molds for small half domes (egg cups), and a big slab (silicon mould and separate base), Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Casting the resin (I had to put a weight on top to press the mold into the base and prevent leakage, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*Putting the mold on its side next to open window to allow further drying from top and bottom, Loes Bogers, 2020*
*alginate casted onto acrylic sheet, first few minutes of curing, Loes Bogers, 2020*
## Variations on this recipe
-Add a**natural colorant** such as a vegetable dye or water-based ink (e.g. hibiscus, beetroot, madder)
- Add **less glycerine** for a more rigid foil
-**Stiffeners** such as fibres, yarn or natural debris may be added for more structure and reinforcement.
-**Fillers** such as almond or sunflower oil, can be added to prevent additional shrinkage but might affect stickyness.
-Replace the water with a (diluted)**natural colorant** such as a vegetable dye or water-based ink (e.g. hibiscus, beetroot, madder)
- Add **less glycerine** for a less flexible foil
-Take out the sunflower oil and use 30% less alginate to cast thinner foils
-You can also use this recipe to make composites such as the one described in the [alginate net recipe](https://class.textile-academy.org/2020/loes.bogers/files/recipes/alginatenet/)
### Cultural origins of this recipe
Bioplastic production is older than petrol based plastics. In 1500 BC, people in Egypt were already using glues based on gelatin, casein and albumin for furniture constructions. Gelatin casting as a technique has also been used in production of jelly-based foods such as aspic, jelly desserts and candy.
Alginate plastic is used a lot in molecular gastronomy, for (reverse) spherification that was patented by William J. S. Peschardt in the 1940s and popularized by the Adrian Ferra of the infamous restaurant El Bulli. Alginate plastics is also used a lot in molding and casting of dental technology industry.
**Needs further research?** Not sure
### References this recipe draws from
-**Bioresin (gelatin) Recipe** by Cecilia Raspanti (Textile Lab, Waag), Fabricademy Class "Biofabricating", 2019, [link](https://class.textile-academy.org/classes/week05A/).
-**The Bioplastics Cookbook: A Catalogue of Bioplastics Recipes** by Margaret Dunne for Fabtextiles, 2018, [link](https://issuu.com/nat_arc/docs/bioplastic_cook_book_3)
The alginate recipe is a modified version of: **Flexible Bio-plastic Alginate Recipe** by Cecilia Raspanti (Textile Lab, Waag), Fabricademy Class "Biofabricating", 2019, [link](https://class.textile-academy.org/classes/week05A/).
### Known concerns and contestations\*
Needs further research
Gelatin is an animal-based ingredient. Some might find it problematic to use resources that requires killing an animal because of religious or animal welfare beliefs. Arguments are also made that as long as there's a meat industry, it is better to use product from the entire animal, including skin and bones. Some might consider gelatin to be a product that comes from a waste stream, but this is considered controversial by others.
Acrylic (for the mold) is a petrol based plastic but results in very shiny foils and sheets and can be reused endlessly for casting high quality bioplastic sheets.
Using renewable ingredients is not by definition petrol-free. Imagine they have to travel long distances by plane, boat or truck: it takes fuel. Also, the effects of GMO technologies and pesticides can be harmful to the environment and it's worth using knowing the source and production standards involved. If you can afford it, buying organic ingredients is a good starting point.
Sodium alginate...... add text here
### Sustainability tags
- Renewable ingredients: yes
- Vegan: no
- Vegan: yes
- Made of by-products or waste: no
- Biocompostable final product: yes
- Reuse: yes, by melting and recasting
- Reuse: no
Needs further research?: not sure
Gelatine-based bioplastics can be recasted by melting them in a pot with some water. Recycling them with PET plastics contaminates the waste stream. Compost bioplastics in a warm environment with sufficient airflow.
Recycling this bioplastic with PET plastics contaminates the waste stream. Compost bioplastics in a warm environment with sufficient airflow.
## Material properties
### Comparative qualities
This resin is dense and rather heavy, but not rock hard like synthetic epoxy or cold like glass. It keeps certain level of bounciness to it.
The foil has a feel that can be compared with a window foil (to blind windows but let the light through): it's matte but very translucent.
### Technical and sensory properties
-**Strength**: strong
-**Hardness**: rigid
-**Transparency**: transparent
-**Strength**: medium
-**Hardness**: flexible
-**Transparency**: translucent
-**Glossiness**: matt
-**Weight**: heavy
-**Weight**: light
-**Structure**: closed
-**Texture**: medium
-**Temperature**: medium
-**Shape memory**: high
-**Odor**: moderate in final product, high during production
-**Shape memory**: medium
-**Odor**: none
-**Stickiness**: low
-**Weather resistance:**low
-**Weather resistance:**needs further research
-**Acoustic properties:** needs further research
-**Anti-bacterial:** needs further research
-**Non-allergenic:**needs further research
-**Non-allergenic:**needs further research
-**Electrical properties:** needs further research
-**Heat resistance:**low
-**Water resistance:** water resistant
-**Heat resistance:**high, up to 150 degrees celcius
-**Water resistance:** waterproof (for PH neutral and acidic water, not for alkaline water)
-**Chemical resistance:** needs further research
-**Scratch resistance:**moderate
-**Scratch resistance:**high
-**Surface friction:** medium
-**Color modifiers:** none
## About this entry
### Maker(s) of this sample
- Name: Loes Bogers
- Affiliation: Fabricademy student at Waag Textile Lab Amsterdam
- Location: Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Date: 06-03-2020 – 16-03-2020
- Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Date: 25-02-2020 – 02-03-2020
### Environmental conditions
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@@ -209,13 +188,14 @@ By Cecilia Raspanti, Textile Lab, Waag Amsterdam, 9 March 2020
### Estimated cost (consumables) in local currency
2,56 Euros for a yield of approx 300 ml
1,12 Euros for a yield for a sheet of alginate plastic (about a 50 cm x 12 cm sheet, 2 mm thick)
Acrylic sheets - hardware stores and online retailers
## Copyright information
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@@ -225,20 +205,26 @@ Yes
### This recipe was previously published by someone else
Yes, in: **Bioresin (gelatin) Recipe** by Cecilia Raspanti (Textile Lab, Waag), Fabricademy Class "Biofabricating", 2019, [link](https://class.textile-academy.org/classes/week05A/).
This is a modified version of: **Flexible Bio-plastic Alginate Recipe** by Cecilia Raspanti (Textile Lab, Waag), Fabricademy Class "Biofabricating", 2019, [link](https://class.textile-academy.org/classes/week05A/).
##References
-**The Secrets of Bioplastic** by Clara Davis (Fabtex, IAAC, Fab Lab Barcelona), 2017, [link](https://issuu.com/nat_arc/docs/the_secrets_of_bioplastic_).
-**The Bioplastics Cookbook: A Catalogue of Bioplastics Recipes** by Margaret Dunne for Fabtextiles, 2018, [link](https://issuu.com/nat_arc/docs/bioplastic_cook_book_3)
-**Bioresin (gelatin) Recipe** by Cecilia Raspanti (Textile Lab, Waag), Fabricademy Class "Biofabricating", 2019, [link](https://class.textile-academy.org/classes/week05A/).
-**Flexible Bio-plastic Alginate Recipe** by Cecilia Raspanti (Textile Lab, Waag), Fabricademy Class "Biofabricating", 2019, [link](https://class.textile-academy.org/classes/week05A/).
-**The Science Of Spherification: Theoreticians examine the atomic details of an avant-garde culinary technique"**, by Bethany Halford, Chemical and Engineering News, Volume 92 Issue 42, pp. 35-36, October 2014: https://cen.acs.org/articles/92/i42/Science-Spherification.html
