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
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!