Textile as Artificial Nature - From Synthetic Sea Grass to Fibrous Implants

Abstract:

We develop the hypothesis that textile and nature have much in common and that in a time of biomimetics textile is a unique class of material that provides a bridge between artefacts, by definition synthetic, and biofacts - material entities found in and produced by nature, i.e. non-synthetic. Furthermore we formulate the (seemingly) contradictorily concept of Artificial Nature. Biomimetics sometimes emphasize the inspirational aspects so that science and technology get input from biology for new technological development for new artefacts. Artificial Nature instead emphasizes the other way around; adding sound, ecology based, technology to nature and in nature for enhancing ecosystem functions.Some characteristics of natural biofact materials and structures include pliability, softness, porosity, light weight, recyclability, and periodicity. Textiles are soft, foldable, of low weight, inherent porous, anisotropic as well as periodic, easily compatible with biodegradability and recyclability. Thus there are many similarities. These are discussed together with a number of cases where textiles are mimicking biofacts. We first look at synthetic see grass (Zostera marina) for remediation of one of the most important biotopes in the world where we show that textile processing techniques are able to make production efficient. Then we look at artificial leaves, i.e. photon collecting flexible patches and indicate the textile realization of such. One of the most valuable ecosystem services is the provision of clean water and maintaining a low degree of pollution in water is of outmost importance. Textile based water purification systems has been constructed and merged with fungus (Zygomycetes) we show the potential for enhancing wet land capability.

• Periodical: Advances in Science and Technology (Volume 100)
• Pages: 181-186
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AST.100.181
• Online since: October 2016
• Authors: Nils Krister Persson*
• Keywords: Artificial Nature, Biomass, Fungus, Remediation, Textile, Tufting

References

[1] H. Simon, The sciences of the artificial. 3. ed. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press (1996).

[2] M Bunge, Treatise on Basic Philosphy Ontology II A world of systems Riedel Publ Comp (1979).

[3] P. Kroes, Technical Artefacts: Creations of Mind and Matter Springer Netherlands (2012).

[4] S. Naeem Ecosystem Services: Is a Planet Servicing One Species Likely to Function? in: R. Rozzi et al (Eds) Linking Ecology and Ethics for a Changing World Springer 2013 pp.303-321.

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-7470-4_25

[5] MEA Ecosystems and Human Well-being, Island Press US (2003).

[6] L.A. Paul Environmental impacts of dredging on seagrasses Mar Poll Bull, 52 (2006), 12.

[7] J. Burkholder, et al Seagrasses and eutrophication J Exp Mar Biol Eco 350 (2007), 1–2, 46–72.

[8] S. Palacios, Response of eelgrass Zostera marina to CO2 enrichment: possible impacts of climate change and potential for remediation of coastal habitats Mar Ecol Prog Ser 344 (2007) 1–13.

DOI: 10.3354/meps07084

[9] Flora of North America www. eFloras. org Zostera.

[10] T. Alm, On the uses of Zostera marina, mainly in Norway. Econ Bot 57 (2003): 4 640-45.

DOI: 10.1663/0013-0001(2003)057[0640:noep]2.0.co;2

[11] EOL Encyclopedia of Life Zostera noltii http: /eol. org.

[12] R. Kadlec et al. Constructed wetlands for pollution control. IWA, London (2000).

[13] T. Viraraghavan,. Fungal biosorption and biosorbents. in P. Kotrba et al (Eds)., Microbial biosorption of metals. New York: Springer. (2011).

DOI: 10.1007/978-94-007-0443-5_6

[14] P Ferreira Gomes et al Heavy Metal Biosorption by Rhizopus Sp. Biomass Immobilized on Textiles Water Air Soil Pollut (2014) 225: 1834.

DOI: 10.1007/s11270-013-1834-4