Material Experiments - Mussel Shells

DESIGN THEORY

MATERIAL

EXPERIMENTS Joรฃo Vidal Lourenรงo

ORIGIN

Why this choice?

At the start of this project I wanted to use snail shells, from a leftover meal I had during holidays in south Portugal. Due to not having enough of them for experiments, I went looking for an alternative in the supermarket and found found mussels. Using their shells would be a suitable replacement.

The basic composition of marine organisms shells do not differ much from snail shells, egg shells and animal bones, as its main chemical component is calcium carbonate (95-99%).

blue mussel mytilus edulis

Being the nature of this explorations more leaning towards the potential of the emotional, the positive mental images this material triggered me and my peers, made me willing to explore it further.

MATERIAL QUALITIES

On its natural unprocessed state, the shells are strong, waterproof, and fire resistant up to around 250°C. Above that they start to crack, changing colour quality and structural strength.

They are pleasant to the eye due to colours, patterns and shine; to the touch are smooth; and to the ear as when in contact to one another they produce a sound of a ceramic quality.

USER FEEDBACK

User feedback was conducted for all samples considering an informal first approach conversation to capture initial reactions when approaching the work, and then a secondary collection of written opinion on paper.

Users were asked to rate the following qualities: Visual appeal; Emotional connection; perceived Value. They were also asked to define the sample with one word or a made-up name.

plaster 20%

visual

seagranite

emotional

value

shell 80%

0

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100

My aim was to create a 100% mussel shell concrete. Unable to create limestone from them, I have used herculite plaster as a binder.

Potential Applications: It could be used as a more aesthetically pleasant replacement for sand, so it can be applied as a composite material for cements, ceramics ,etc..

PROCESS

1- BLENDER A household blender sufficed to create a sand like material. Further refining would require a mortar & pestle. Â 2- ADDING BINDER Several dry binders were tried such as sugar, salt and finally plaster.

3- MOULDING Several binders were tried such as sug.

varnish 10% visual

marazzo

emotional

value

shell 90%

0

25

50

75

100

As the previous material (seagranite) needed a binder, I have decided to try nail varnish in order to bring out the blue colour. It resulted in a harder and more intense, darker material.

Potential Applications: To use as a surface for glazed ceramics. Perhaps for dishware in a seafood restaurant? .

visual

mussel pride

emotional

value

roasted shells 100%

0

25

50

75

In the process of trying to make limestone and failing, I have found that there is a previous stage where the shells get pink/brown hues and the mother of pearl is broken down to a dust.

This dust has metallic visual qualities.

Potential Applications: a natural metallic dye, it could be used for body decoration (if it is healthy to use it...)

PROCESS

1- FIRE To reach over 500°C I have made a coal BBQ. The shells started to crack like popcorn.

2- CRUSH Breaking them was easier after roasting.

shellcrete

visual

roasted shells 50%

plaster 50%

emotional

value 0

25

50

75

The qualities of the roasted shells added to plaster.

The pink/red brown hues taint the plaster and create a pastel-like colour. It smells unpleasant.

Potential Applications: Reflective surfaces. It could be used as an outside lacquer in houses to keep a cooler temperature by redirecting sunlight.

100

Concrete samplings where made by pouring the liquid material on cardboard moulds.

PVA 1% visual

mussplast

emotional

value

mussel algae 99%

0

10

20

30

Another living organism coats the mussel shells. Brittle when dry, but when wet this algae has plastic bag-like qualities being very strong and with transparency. I think the colouring could be removed with bleach to create a totally clear paper-like material.

Potential Applications: Bioplastic. The algae grows in the shape of the mussel, so this shapes could be manipulated as intended.

PROCESS

1- vinegar bath Shells were submersed in white vinegar. After 24h some bubbles start to form between the shell and the algae. It is then easy and satisfying to peel it off.

2- layering and drying I have mixed PVA with water to hold the layers together. When drying it started to change shape.

varnish 5% PVA 20%

shcala

visual

emotional

value

decalcified shell 75%

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25

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100

From the last experiment, the acid of the vinegar broke down the calcium in the shells, making them flexible but weak like wet paper. In that stage, I was able to shape them. Somehow they have lost colour, but the variation in patterns is still kept. They were varnished and layered in PVA for strength as this sample was VERY delicate.

Potential applications: decorative surfaces such as wall tiles or a veneer for furniture.

In order to accelerate the reaction, I added heat, by cooking them in a pan. The water vapour left behind a trail of calcium.

sunscreen 1%

dianapraia

shell 29%

visual

emotional

algae 70%

value 0

25

50

75

100

Wondering on how to translate the mental images of beach holidays to the sense of smell. The name is Portuguese for "day at the beach". Open the sample, close your eyes and experience it!

Potential applications: nostalgic value, memory aid.

In agriculture it can balance the soil and change pest behaviours, while also absorb heavy metals.

FURTHER POTENTIALS

An online search provides relevant material potentials worth considering. By adding the right amount of sugar and water, a paste has been made for 3D printing, with the convenience of just needing water in order to reuse it.

REFLECTION

This was a fun and light project, with serious potentials. I have enjoyed the laboratorial approach to experiments and photography, and not stress as much as studio PPJs, so I felt I was able to have a fairly positive output.

It could have benefited more with extra time in order to develop the potential applications, especially towards surfaces.

I was also disappointed for not being able to use school facilities to fire the shells to a high temperature to make limestone, a binder that I could potentially use in place of the plaster, and produce a 100% origin material composite, but I can always try it again.Â

REFLECTION

On the MDD text: The provided Material Driven Design paper helped reflecting on the importance of this project and the biggest value I took from it was that I can consider an MDD approach for future projects where it is suitable, as the following passage mentions: "(...) If a client requires a redesign of their product, i.e. a coffee machine, made out of a new material, then the designer will have the application in mind (...)"