Disposable Biomaterial

BY MINGSHENG NI

The project focuses on how, in today’s convenience-driven society, disposable products come at a cost to the environment and resources. In order to adapt, the circular economy needs innovative materials and recycling methods. ‘Disposable Biomaterial’ aims to explore the use of biological materials as sustainable alternatives to disposable products, fostering a rapid and sustainable circular economy with bio-fabrics that match the recycling rate of social discard. Chitosan, derived from chitin, offers unique physical, chemical, and physiological properties such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, antibacterial effects, and more. Its applications in various fields, including food, materials, medicine, and agriculture, make it a promising research area in biological science. Mingsheng’s experiments involve extracting chitosan from shrimp shells, creating high-quality chitosan films resembling leather and fabric, as well as developing coatings and dyeing techniques. Clothes made from chitosan are safe, non-toxic, and fully degradable. This means people can dispose of them without burdening the environment when they are no longer needed. By embracing bio-fabrics and the potential of chitosan, we can move towards a sustainable future, reducing waste and promoting environmental harmony.

ABOUT MINGSHENG

Mingsheng Ni is a MA Textile Design Graduate from University of Arts in London. Here, she spent her time researching the potential of chitosan, a natural polymer, as an alternative to plastics and textiles. She continues to conduct research in this field and has undertaken a PHD at UAL in order to explore the feasibility of the application and scale of disposable biological materials in fast fashion.