Biomaterials
I did research over bio-material and/or bio-degradable material in concern over environmental issues
I am searching for materials that are bio-compostable in a home compost setting and can be truly recycled, unlike PLA plastic. And it is supposed to be only decomposed when decomposition is needed. I made a list of ingredients and plasticizers that I researched and experimented with.
The samples below are mostly made of agar, gelatin, alginate, glycerin, etc. They first came out all right, but they all turned moldy except the bio-silicon made of gelatine and glycerine. Actually, it turned out to be very elastic, water-resistant, and durable. It resembles the touch of silicon yet can be dissolved in water if soaked for a longer period of time. changing the ratio for the recipes can make a big difference as well. The downside is that they all take very long to make and long to dry.
The bio-resin was also very strong, resembling the physical property of resin. The bio-silicon was the only sample that remained that does not get moldy left in the air in the room.
I also researched different types of leather such as jellyfish leather, chicken feat leather, mushroom leather, kombucha leather, etc. I decided to experiment with salmon: I can eat the meat, and I can use the bone and scale to get gelatin and can make small accessories with fish skin.
Here is a whole salmon i bought. the idea is that nothing will go to waste. I utilized everythig except the organs of the fish. I collected scales in a jar and boiled it with bones and fins to make sturdy plastic resembles the property of plastic. It was very watery so I added some starch to thicken it a bit.
Bioplastic made with salmon bone and starch. water-resistant improved with bee wax.
Salmon leather
Salmon leather is surprisingly durable.
I made a lot of mistakes while experimenting with how to make salmon leather. I did not keep the failed samples because they never dried and had a strong smell. first used glycerin to soften the leather. I soaked it in glycerin for 24 hours after I thoroughly clean the fish. (too clean) The glycerin made the leather too soft, brittle, and oily and it never dried after months. Also, I cleaned off the membrane underneath the skin, it became super transparent and vulnerable.
Then the next time I soaked the clean fish skin into the glycerin+ egg yolk solution for 30min. Then just wait for the skin to try. (In my first experiment I pasted the scaled side to the mirror to try, it had a really shiny glossy texture) This time I just rub the dry skin without removing the membrane. It became surprisingly strong.
I ate salmon 3 weeks straight... It was a big fish. Tried to make different food so I do not get bored. I scrapped as much meat as possible from salmon bones and I made salmon meat balls from it.