Design Favorites - July 2023
Sometimes, good design is done well-designed tools. We have compiled a list of our favorite tools for the month of July--and they are sustainable to boot!
Plastic Bottle Filament Maker
Image: Reiten Cheng
Have you ever thought of turning your empty coke or water bottles into 3D printing filament? Probably not, but now you can! Designer Reiten Cheng has created a machine called the Polyformer, and it cuts plastic bottles into ribbon that is then melted and turned into filament. The filament is then wound into a spool that can be used in 3D printers. The machine is also modular, so users can swap out parts and modify to their liking. And, if it wasn’t already cool enough, this machine is perfectly sized for a desktop workstation!
Sustainable Bay Light
Image: RAB Lighting
As a high-tech addition to your workspace, add a sustainable bay light! The RAB L34, designed by Glen Oross and Peter On, features a compact design. So, less materials are used, and space is saved. This light is also made of 100% recycled plastic for the body, and 30% re-melted plastic for the other elements. Most importantly, the RAB L34 can light an entire room. This is a good example of how functional design does not mean sacrificing sustainability.
Thin Solar Cell
Image: MIT
We’ve talked about prototyping with solar on the blog before, and it could be made even easier with this super thin solar cell developed by researchers at MIT. The beauty of this flexible solar panel is that it can be applied to—almost—any surface, including textiles. The researchers who developed this used a combination of printed semiconductor inks and electrodes, as well as a Dyneema fabric layer to allow for bending and prevent tearing. And, to think this panel can generate 370 Kilowatts! Simply amazing.
Disposable Circuit Board
Image: ASME
The topic of electronic waste is often discussed in the industry, and one that has made its way into our conversations here at Loomia. The issue of circuit board disposal is one researchers at the State University of New York at Binghamton are trying to solve with a disposable paper board design. This paper circuit board prototype can be disposed of after one use, and its injected witth conductive inks after printing. It works with fully-integrated electronic components, as well—there is a fully functional resistor, transistor, and capacitator. We look forward to seeinf where this innovation goes, and who knows; maybe it will become a commonly-used tool in prototyping.
Clothes-Pin Mechanical Pencil
Image: Yanko Design
While you’re doing all of that designing and prototyping at your desk, you’re going to need a good tool to draw out all of your larger-than-life ideas. The Pentapa is made entirely from recycled plastic, and works similar to a clothespin in that it holds a writing instrument within its pegs. You just simply pinch the rear pegs and the front spreads so you can add your instrument of choice—crayon, pencil, whatever! We definitely want one for our desk.
Check out our past design favorites!