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Chris Lefteri's material world

By Rain Noe - January 16, 2009

in Object Culture

That there is Greensulate, a "green alternative to styrofoam" produced by Ecovative Design.

Amazingly, this material grows into shape and is made of mushroom fibres, rice hulls and recycled paper. The process is using minimal energy and the material itself is completely green and biodegrades when it is no longer wanted. It is apparently cheaper than petroleum-based products and serves as an alternative to these for both building and packaging insulation.

And this is a video for a levitating lampshade:

Where do we find all this cool stuff, you ask? It's all from the blog of designer/materials expert Chris Lefteri, author of the Materials for Inspirational Design series of books, as well as a guide to manufacturing techniques for product designers called Making It. The prolific Lefteri also produces a free, downloadable magazine on materials called Ingredients. It's no wonder Lefteri's nickname is The Materials Man.

thanks brian!

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ChasingSanity.com

15 years ago

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The green Styrofoam is an interesting concept, but can it be used for coffee cups? I just got done trashing Dunkin Donuts' use of Styrofoam right here: http://www.chasingsanity.com/cheap-coffee-thrills-expense-mother-nature/

Mushroom fibers, huh?
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ray

15 years ago

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oh my childhood fantasy of the hoverboard is returning! now if we can get those self zip up nikes!
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