SUBSTITUTING CONVENTIONAL MATERIALS AND MANUFACTURING FOR SUSTAINABLE, NEAR NET SHAPE GROWN COMPONENTS

Society s demand for ecologically produced and sustainably operable goods is a key driver to substitute conventional substances such as metals or plastics. Most of today s eco-design approaches are limited to the selection of the right material and the industrial processing, to manufacture the desired design. The authors of this work are scientists from the areas of cell-biology, eco-toxicology, engineering- and industrial-design, and teamed up to use directed natural growth of bio-materials. The aim is to minimize conventional production steps and decrease the amount of resources needed for manufacturing. In the first step the team categorizes and analyzes potential plants. In addition, requirements for different sorts of products are defined. Matching parts of both databases are identified. The aim of this research is to give an overview of possible function-plant relations of near net shape grown materials. Single materials as well as composites are taken into account. Eco-investigations include the whole Life Cycle Assessment. Additionally mechanical properties, design restrictions and surface quality are examined as major issues for sustainable, safe and sound products.