Material Revolution

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Material Revolution Intermediate

The everyday materials that shape our global civilization should work in harmony with Earth's life-sustaining ecosystems, especially the vast oceans which cover 70% of our planet. At present, modern society is addicted to chemicals, materials, and fossil fuel-based energy sources that do the exact opposite.

 

With the oceans under threat from plastic waste, toxic pollution, and global heating, we urgently need to reinvent and redesign our way out of the monumental environmental crisis we are now facing. In this course, you'll explore new eco-innovations and meet the people driving what we call the 'Material Revolution.'

Introduction

Parley founder Cyrill Gutsch explains why the movement to reinvent and redesign our way out of the current environmental crisis is so urgent, and how you can get involved.
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The Toxic Age

Parley believes the answer to many of the planet's problems lies in a new breed of materials, eco-innovations and breakthroughs. We call it the Material Revolution.
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The Material Revolution

Parley is calling for a complete Material Revolution in the way we manufacture, package, produce, transport and build – starting with plastic.
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Module 1 Quiz

Test your knowledge about how plastic and other materials have created a 'Toxic Age' on our planet.
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Natural Fabrics

We are already surrounded by plant-based materials that offer existing alternatives to the Toxic Age we've created. Revisit some ancient ones before exploring more recent innovations.
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Case Study: Sasawashi

Sasawashi weaves together traditional, natural materials from Japan to create a fabric that is naturally odor-resistant, antibacterial, lint-free, highly absorbent, UV-proof and gently exfoliating.
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Case Study: Bananatex®

Bananatex® is the world’s first technical fabric made purely from banana plants. Explore the process and how much work is required to bring new materials to market.
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Module 2 Quiz

Let’s review what we learned in the last module.
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Introduction to Biofabrication

Biofabricate is a leading think tank, network and annual summit that brings together leading innovators in the field of biofabrication.
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Material focus: Mycelium

In our first Material Focus module, we'll look at one of the emerging superstar materials driving the Biofabrication movement: fungi.
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Case Study: Ecovative

Ecovative transforms mycelium into packaging to replace plastic foam. They also create other biodegradable materials, alternative meat products, animal-free leather and more.
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Material focus: Algae

Innovators are working with different species of algae to create biodegradable materials that function as plastics and plastic foams.
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Case Study: AlgiKnit

AlgiKnit is a biomaterials company that has pioneered the use of kelp to create durable yet rapidly degradable yarns. We caught up with co-founder Aleks Gosiewski to learn more.
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Case Study: Algix

Algix's algae-based foam is fully biodegradable, water-filtering, and emission-reducing. It's used in products like footwear insoles, surfboard traction pads, and backpack components.
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Building with Biology

As part of the Fourth Industrial Revolution – the move towards smart systems and technologies – biofabrication has boomed. Start-ups and scientists use nature's basic building blocks as 'factories.'
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Module 3 Quiz

Test your knowledge of how to build with biology.
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Green Chemistry

Green Chemistry follows the principle that it is better to consider waste prevention options during design and development than to dispose or treat waste after.
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Carbon: The Ultimate Material Frontier?

Imagine if we could capture CO2, release oxygen and use leftover carbon to build new substances. That's what a new generation of bio- or "carbon fabricators" are doing.
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Module 4 Quiz

Review what you’ve learned and put it into action.
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Further Reading

Take what you’ve learned about the Material Revolution and the many products helping us build a better world further.
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