dear designboom reader,

our report on materials explores different alternatives to commonly used design elements, such as plastic or steel. this includes molding clay into a portable refrigerator and food container powered by evaporative cooling. it can also involve weaving lower-impact, leather-like textiles into a handbag using bacterial nanocellulose components.

high-tech materials with novel uses and properties are also featured, such as stone island's poly strata ice jacket. when exposed to temperature changes, its color shifts caused by micro-encapsulated pigments. even mussel beard waste gets upcycled, transforming it into fire-resistant acoustic tiles that can hush down loud sounds.

happy reading!

matthew burgos | editor