British designer William Eliot created the Digested Objects stool which is designed after plastic-eating mealworms as they ate through blocks of polystyrene. The furniture rests on top of a three-legged seat and the pitted form has a senseless contour throughout the chair. The result is a 3D-printed chair in black-colored sand and Eilior used waste polystyrene and about 150 mealworms which are the "larvae of the tenebrio monitor beetle."
Eliot explains, "The humble mealworm has garnered much attention in the scientific research community thanks to its ability to digest polystyrene safely. "Instead of extracting and replicating exiguobacterium – the 'superpowered' bacteria that gives the mealworm the capacity to eat plastic – Digested Objects seeks to find a more symbiotic partnership with these creatures."
Image Credit: William Eliot
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Bio-integrating Furniture
- Designers are exploring the integration of biological processes into furniture creation, leading to innovative, eco-friendly products.
- Sustainable 3D Printing
- The use of waste materials like polystyrene in 3D printing offers a sustainable alternative to traditional manufacturing methods.
- Insect-inspired Design
- Products modeled after insect behaviors and structures are pushing the boundaries of functional and aesthetic design.
Where This Applies
- Furniture Design
- The furniture design industry is witnessing a shift towards eco-conscious and sustainable materials and processes.
- Additive Manufacturing
- Additive manufacturing is being revolutionized by the inclusion of recycled materials, enhancing environmental sustainability.
- Biotechnology
- Biotechnology convergence with design is creating new opportunities for waste management and innovative product development.
