Category: Chemicals & Materials

Shell of an idea: Designers repurpose mollusk waste into concrete

Shell of an idea: Designers repurpose mollusk waste into concrete

April 5, 2021 |

In South Korea, design firm Newtab-22 is turning waste shells from seafood and aquaculture industries into a terrazzo-like material.  Dubbed Sea Stone, the shells are ground and mixed with natural, patent-pending binders to create a material that can replace concrete in small products like tiles, table tops and vases. Shells contain calcium carbonate, or limestone, […]

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Origami-inspired paper razor set to launch in Japan

Origami-inspired paper razor set to launch in Japan

April 5, 2021 |

In Japan, blade maker Kai will soon introduce what it claims to be the world’s first paper razor.  The razor’s design is inspired by origami and milk carton packaging. Consumers receive the blade and flatpack, water-resistant handle, which they have to fold into shape themselves.  “Paper Razor aims to transform the razor into a plastic-free […]

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Spinach eyed as scaffold material for lab-grown beef

Spinach eyed as scaffold material for lab-grown beef

April 5, 2021 |

In Massachusetts, researchers at Boston College are considering spinach as an edible scaffolding material to produce lab-grown more cost effectively.  After paring the leaves down to just its veins, the researchers were able to grow bovine animal protein along the spinach’s vascular network. The cells were viable for two weeks and differentiated into muscle. “Cellular […]

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Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen launch “plant-powered” cleaning and personal care line

Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen launch “plant-powered” cleaning and personal care line

March 29, 2021 |

In California, A-listers Kris Jenner and Chrissy Teigen have launched a home cleaning and self-care brand containing plant-based ingredients and natural aromatherapy scents.  Dubbed Safely, the line includes hand cream, soap and sanitize as well as  glass cleaner and a universal cleaner.  Jenner is the matriarch of the Kardashian Clan, and Teigen is a model […]

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Synthetic biology pioneer Zymergen files for IPO

Synthetic biology pioneer Zymergen files for IPO

March 29, 2021 |

In California, synthetic biology firm Zymergen has filed for a $100 million IPO, according to a document with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Zymergen says it has 10 products in development, consisting of three in electronics, four with consumer care applications and three in agriculture.  The company’s biofacturing platform discovers biomolecules and engineers microbes that […]

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Put on your fancy pants: Cultured meat startup targets foodie foods

Put on your fancy pants: Cultured meat startup targets foodie foods

March 29, 2021 |

In California, cultured meat startup Orbillion Bio is targeting high-end foodie-favorite meats, including Wagyu meatloaf, lamb burgers, and elk sausages.  The strategy to pursue expensive cuts is intended to help the company reach price parity earlier than cultured meat firms targeting cheaper meats, like chicken nuggets or ground beef.  CEO Patricia Bubner says she hopes […]

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London designer envisions countertop meat gardens

London designer envisions countertop meat gardens

March 29, 2021 |

In the United Kingdom, designer Alice Turner has introduced a conceptual countertop bioreactor device that would, in the future, allow consumers to grow their own meat.  Dubbed Carnerie, Turner believes such a device will be feasible about 20 years in the future. The app-controlled machine would employ technology currently being developed by cultivated meat companies. […]

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Dutch cultivated meat maker Meatable raises $47 million

Dutch cultivated meat maker Meatable raises $47 million

March 29, 2021 |

In the Netherlands, Dutch cell-based meat maker Meatable has raised $47 million to build a small-scale test unit at the Biotech Campus Delft and add new products to its portfolio.   The company is focusing on cultivating meat using pig and cow induced pluripotent stem cells instead of growth factors, which make up much of […]

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Lab-grown fish startup raises €7 million

Lab-grown fish startup raises €7 million

March 29, 2021 |

In Germany, lab-grown fish startup Bluu Biosciences has raised €7 million ($8.25 million) to advance its cell-based salmon, trout, and carp, the most-consumed fish in China.  Manta Ray Ventures, Norrsken VC, Be8, CPT Capital and Lever VC participated in the funding.  Bluu’s technology is based on work done by co-founder and marine and cell biologist […]

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3D printed mud huts offer quarantine comfort

3D printed mud huts offer quarantine comfort

March 29, 2021 |

In San Luis Valley, Colorado, large-format 3D printing design firm Emerging Objects has 3D printed a mud hut, complete with a fireplace, bedroom, and bathtub.  Using sand, silt, clay and water, the Selective Compliance Articulated Robot Arm made three connected cylindrical huts that were then allowed to dry in the sun.  The huts were named […]

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