Last week for class, Kari took us to the Material ConneXion library. The Material ConneXion is a “materials library and consultancy … MCX helps companies source materials that enhance the performance, aesthetic, and sustainability of their projects.” This is a really amazing resource for students and makers. There are swatches of all kinds of novel and innovative materials that are so new that they maybe still under development. Learning about cutting-edge materials can inspire new projects and methods of making as an artist/engineer. It was a ton of fun visiting the library and getting to touch all the materials!
Honestly I am most attracted to things that are shiny, colorful, or look like they might feel good to touch (smooth, squishy, soft). I found a lot of the materials interesting and saved a lot of swatches to my MCX account but here are a few materials that might be particularly relevant to my work:
e-broidery
“Flexible, durable and washable textiles integrated with light emitting diodes (LEDs) … e-broidery is able to cohesively combine active lighting into fabrics without compromising their drape and strength.”
This material is particularly interesting to me because I am truly excited about e-textiles but sometimes adding electronics into fabrics can make them clunky and/or lose the materials softness.
Link: https://www-materialconnexion-online.proxy.library.nyu.edu/database/761001.html
Manufacturer: Forster Rohner Textile Innovations (Switzerland)
Fiber Optic Fabric
“The fabrics emit light from the cut ends of the fabric as well as at any point along each fiber that has been bent, scratched, or otherwise deformed.”
I met this incredible artist, Aruma, last year and she makes a lot of amazing textile work and many projects using fiber optic fabrics. Her work is super inspirational and I’m curious what I could make with a material like this.
Link: https://www-materialconnexion-online.proxy.library.nyu.edu/database/739001.html
Manufacturer: LumiGram LLC (France & US)
Nth Light
“Bright, printed, paper-thin lighting technology that consists of micro-scale inorganic LEDs on a thin, flexible, lightweight substrate.”
Again, more light-up stuff! This company is based in Tempe, AZ close to where my parents still live.
Link: https://www-materialconnexion-online.proxy.library.nyu.edu/database/871101.html
Manufacturer: NthDegree Technologies Worldwide Inc (US)
MEBA BioResine
“A bio-based thermosetting resin … composed of discarded biomass and other renewable raw materials (such as waste cornstarch, sugarcane, vegetable oils, and fats), its production drastically reduces the use of fossil fuels and CO2 emissions.”
This picture doesn’t really do the material justice, it is so pretty! Now that we’ve learned about silicone casting, I’m pretty interested in casting resin as well. It is astounding that this bioplastic can be made of raw bio waste.
Link: https://www-materialconnexion-online.proxy.library.nyu.edu/database/701702.html
Manufacturer: MEBA S.a.s (Italy)
Recycled Range
“Family of sewing and embroidery threads made from 100% recycled PET bottles … These threads exhibit … features such as excellent breaking strength, abrasion resistance, and sewability despite the recycled content.”
I’ve been learning to embroider over the last year or so and I know what a difference different fibers make for being able to hand-sew something. I’m not sure what kind of carbon footprint the thread/skein industry has but it could be interesting to sew something with plastic water bottles!
Link: https://www-materialconnexion-online.proxy.library.nyu.edu/database/1026104.html
Manufacturer: Amann Group (Germany & US)