An inventive do-it-yourself device has been created by researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder's ATLAS Institute to create textile fibers from sustainable resources like gelatin. By providing a remedy for the substantial environmental impact of textile waste, this machine has the potential to completely transform the fashion business, reported Environment+Energy Leader.
Under the direction of doctorate student Eldy Lázaro Vásquez, the research team has developed a machine that can spin textile fibers from gelatin, a protein that is often obtained from animal leftovers. These fibers disintegrate in hot water in minutes to hours and have a flax-like texture. This method offers a sustainable substitute for conventional textiles, which frequently wind up in landfills.
Approximately 11 million tons of textiles were disposed of in landfills in the United States in 2018, accounting for approximately 8% of total municipal solid trash, according to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency. The approach developed by the ATLAS Institute seeks to address this problem by creating fabrics that are easily recycled and reused.
The $560-or-so DIY machine is meant to be affordable for designers everywhere. A liquid gelatin combination is extruded using a plastic syringe, and rollers subsequently stretch the slurry into fibers. Through this procedure, designers can use bio-based dyes and chemicals to alter the fibers' strength, flexibility, and color. The machine's accessibility was highlighted by study co-author Michael Rivera, who said that "anyone can make fibers with this kind of prototyping machine." The large apparatuses found only in university chemistry departments are unnecessary.
The researchers looked into natural substances other than gelatin, like chitin from crab shells and agar-agar from algae. These substances may improve the fibers' toughness and adaptability, increasing the range of uses for them in the textile sector. | BGNES