Starch
(binder)
● natural polymer ● abundant ●affordable ● renewable ● widely used ● biodegradable



Vinegar / Citric acid
(cross-linker)
● easy-manufacturing ● occurs naturally in citrus fruits ● affordable ● renewable ● biodegradable




Glycerin
(plasticizer)
● obtained from plant and animal resources ● non-toxic ● affordable ● renewable ● biodegradable



LI SHANGTONG

Waste-based Material Exploration
2017 – 2018
Utilizing waste found in everyday life and transforming them into new materials.

Bio-composite 1.3 (Starch-bind Chipboard)
tapioca starch, potato starch, cornstarch mixed with sawdust found in MICA wood shop



Material Characteristics:
-
bio-degradable
-
rigid
-
water-resistant
-
machinable
-
laser-cut
Bio-composite 1.4 (Starch Concrete)
potato starch, cornstarch mixed with sand, salt, threads, ground orange peels


-
bio-degradable
-
rigid
-
water-resistant
Material Characteristics:
Bio-composite 1.5 (Mycelium)
mushroom roots, organic waste: pecan husks, garlic peels, magnolia, tree bark, straw


-
bio-degradable
-
fire-resistant
-
water-resistant
Material Characteristics:
Recycled Plastic Bags
melted and pressed plastic bags


-
rigid
-
thermoplastic
-
water-resistant
-
machinable
Material Characteristics:
Continuing experiments: Banana plastic + Paper board
Pulped banana peels; pulped paper mixed with cornstarch

-
biodegradable
-
rigid
Material Characteristics:

-
biodegradable
-
rigid
-
machinable
Material Characteristics:

Paper Board
Starch-bind Chip Board
Starch Concrete
Thread Board