Senior Design Expo 2019

Combatting Tradeshow Pollution with Bacterial
Cellulose and Native American Textile
Treatment Processes
Christian Joseph
Advisors: Professor Theanne Schiros & Professor
Simon J. L. Billinge
Materials Science and Engineering Program
Tradeshows in the U.S. generate over 600,000 tons
of landfill waste each year [ 1] , where the materials
release greenhouse gases as well as harmful
chemicals used in their manufacture. For
tradeshows, these chemicals include flame
retardants required for large events, which are
related to a myriad of health issues. In 95% of U.S.
families, the EPA detected flame retardants linked
to thyroid disorders, learning disabilities,
hyperactivity, hearing and memory problems,
reproductive problems, birth defects, and possibly
cancer [ 2] .
Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a promising
biodegradable material that can be grown to shape
from sugar waste streams. Using Native American
tanning techniques, we have created water resistant,
flame retardant, strong and flexible BC with
promise for a range of applications, including nontoxic,
compostable, materials for trade show
displays with a closed-loop life cycle. Electronic
capability, such as sensing and lighting, is
introduced with circuits created from conductive
screen printing ink, with electronic components that
can be easily removed and interchanged.
Background
Biocouture led by Suzanne Lee first explored the
use of BC as a textile. However, inherent materials
challenges, including lack of water resistance and
brittleness after drying have limited direct
translation of BC to fabric and textiles [ 3] . The
Schiros group has found that treating dried BC with
indigenous tanning and smoking techniques result
in water resistance and extreme flame retardance.
This makes dried BC an excellent candidate for a
sustainable, flame resistant trade show display
material.
We cultured a symbiotic colony of bacteria and
yeast ( SCOBY) , allowing it to ferment sugars and
alcohols to spin nano-cellulose fibres, which grew
layer by layer to produce a thick mat of cellulose
taking the shape of the container’s cross-section [ 5]
. BC readily absorbs natural color from plants. This
allows for non-toxic customization of visually
appealing display design. The cellulose can be dried
and treated with indigenous in order to obtain
desired mechanical properties and requisite flame
retardance. Finally, we printed circuits the
conductive ink demonstrating the feasibility of
implementing electronic components in this bio
textile. The final product is a flexible, strong, nontoxic
tradeshow display with a closed loop life cycle
that addresses the problems of environmental
destruction and public health while incorporating
electronic components via conductive
screenprinting.
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank Professors Schiros, Billinge,
and Goetz. I would also like to thank Shanece
Esdaille, Romare Antrobus, Adrian Chitu, Amirali
Zangiabadi, and Karen Sanchirico
References
[1] "Exploring Environmentally Friendly Trade
Show Options." Derse. September 08, 2016.
Accessed October 15, 2018. https:
//derse.com/exploring-environmentally-friendlytrade-show-o
ptions/.
[2] Mireia Gascon, Martine Vrijheid, David
Martínez, Joan Forns, Joan O. Grimalt, Maties
Torrent, Jordi Sunyer, Effects of pre and postnatal
exposure to low levels of polybromodiphenyl ethers
on neurodevelopment and thyroid hormone levels at
4 years of age, Environment International, Volume
37, Issue 3, 2011, Pages 605-611, ISSN 0160-4120,
[3] Ehrhardt, Anelise & Groner, Sibylle &
Bechtold, Thomas. (2007) . Swelling Behaviour of
Cellulosic Fibres – Part I: Changes in Physical
Properties. Fibres and Textiles in Eastern Europe.
15. 64-65.
G. xylinus bacteria strains can synthesize cellulose
through the metabolism of sugars and alcohols [ 4].
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