I was floored by this video of Suzzanne Lee’s efforts into creating textiles utilizing bacterial cellulose (formed by fermentation in kombucha tea). Yup, “fabric” – well, more like leather – from BACTERIA.
What an amazing step forward in technology – I’m super-interested to see where this innovation will go once more R&D labs get ahold of it.
So this also begs the question: If they worked out the kinks in the fabric weight and texture…Would you wear clothing made by bacteria?
found via GirlieGirl Army
xoxox
Carly
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the designs look cool, especially the little blazer. If I like the design, I wouldn't mind that it's from bacteria. As they are on and in us anyway, I think there's nothing gros about it. Not more than wearing another animals skin.
As both a microbiologist and a sewist, yes yes a thousand times yes! I want some! I would make the ultimate nerdy lab coat!
And they aren't only on and in us; on a cell count basis, the bacterial cells in your body outnumber the human cells by orders of magnitude. There's more of their cells in you than your cells. That's okay, though; you wouldn't survive well without them.
This seems quite interesting. One of the partners in our company – http://mybucha.com – is probably one of the most technically experienced kombucha manufacturers around. We've actually pioneered (and patented) a method to eliminate the need for the SCOBY/pellicle in the production of kombucha. So we know quite a lot about the production of the pellicle (the cellulose membrane) that you're aiming to optimize to produce clothing. We're on the west coast in the US; it sounds from the accent that you guys are probably in Britain. Let me know whether we can help.
Cheers
Bern Galvin
bern@mybucha.com
we eat food created by bacteria, so why not wear the by products? If they are able to dye it and stray away from the translucent consistency I can see people purchasing these in the near future.
err…maybe? my problem is I don't know if I'd be allergic to it, as I'm highly allergic to many forms of bacteria including molds and penicillan (sp?)
What a great resource!