UK-based biomaterials start-upModern Synthesishas raised $4.1 million in seed funding to develop its microbial textile platform which could help the fashion sector to lower its carbon footprint and reduce waste.
Operating in much the same way as 3D bioprinting, the firm’s microbial weaving process is capable of creating a customizable biomaterial that grows over the course of 10-14 days to form objects of a desired shape. The company’s goal is to replace materials derived from animals and petrochemicals with its biodegradable alternative, having so far successfully produced and delivered a shoe upper to a key sportswear customer.
“我们正在尝试做的是建造这种新型的材料，这些材料更可持续，也使我们能够以新的方式设计和创建，这对时装行业确实令人兴奋，” Modern Synthesis联合创始人兼首席执行官Jen Keane告诉AFN.
The microbial weaving process
Modern Synthesis’ platform is based on its patent-pending microbial weaving process, which leverages bacteria to ‘weave’ customizable biotextiles and composites. The technique uses bacteria to transform sugar from agricultural waste into nanocellulose, which is not only biodegradable but is also valued for its abundance and strength.
The process works by creating a scaffold and using robotics to place fibers around which the bacteria grow to form a strong, lightweight cellulose-based biomaterial with limitless customization potential.
Called k.rhaeticus, the bacteria in question is one of those often found in kombucha tea and which has previously been used to produce more sustainable3D printable wood substitutes. Within the material, the bacteria act as ‘tiny weaving shuttles’ that leave a tiny trail of fibers in their wake similar to the waft-and-weft weaving technique. Once grown, the semi-transparent gel material is made up of a tightly packed mesh of fibers.
Modern Synthesis compares its microbial weaving process to 3D printing due to its ability to produce objects of a desired shape and size without waste, and its additive rather than subtractive nature.
A $4.1 million boost
The $4.1 million seed funding raised by Modern Synthesis will help the company to build on its microbial textile platform and build its pilot facility. Housing a lab, sampling, and pilot production capabilities, the planned site in London will enable the company to scale up the production of its materials.
The new facility is expected to be operational by Q3 2022, with additional funds from the round also being used to build the company’s team and increase its R&D activities.
资金回合看到了AgFunder,Collaborative Fund,Acequia Capital,Petri Bio,Ponderosa Ventures,Possible Ventures,IMO Ventures,Taihill Venture,Parley for the Oceans,Climate Capital Collective, and the former CEO of designer footwear brandJimmy Choo, Pierre Dennis.
根据基恩（Keane）的说法，目标是尽可能快地，广泛，负责任地将现代合成的材料带入世界。最终目标是取代当前时装行业中目前使用的动物和石化基于石化的材料principles of a circular economy.
“At the end of the day, we’re trying to build a circular manufacturing system with these microbes,” Keane told AFN. “That enables us to leverage agricultural waste and use the microbes as manufacturing units and transfer them into more viable materials.
“On the flip side, we see the opportunity to have new-class materials that are fully cellulosic, so we can recycle them back into silos and recycling streams.”
Printing cellulose-based materials
纤维素在3D打印空间中引起了广泛关注，因为它作为自然可持续性和多功能替代了一系列合成材料的潜力。实际上，纤维素已用于形成more sustainable 3D printing feedstockfor several years already.
In March last year, the EU-fundedNOVUMproject was initiated to3D print components from cellulose-based materialsfor use in the automotive, marine, and electrical insulation sectors. The aim of the project is to address global awareness around resource sufficiency, climate change, and the circular economy by exploring cellulose as a substitute for fossil-based materials.
Elsewhere,Oak Ridge National Laboratory（ORNL）和缅因州大学are creating生物材料大规模3 d打印, including the use of cellulose nanofiber, while theUniversity of Bristoland theUniversity of Bathhave explored the potential of4D printing celluloseto produce structures that transform in response to water.
Subscribe to the3D Printing Industry newsletterfor the latest news in additive manufacturing. You can also stay connected by following us onTwitterand liking us onFacebook.
Looking for a career in additive manufacturing? Visit3D Printing Jobsfor a selection of roles in the industry.
Subscribe to ourYouTube channelfor the latest 3D printing video shorts, reviews, and webinar replays.
特色图片显示通过微生物编织工艺制造的鞋鞋面。通过Tom Mannion/Modern Synthesis的照片。
