biocomposites database

The Biocomposites Database: A Crowdsourced Open-Access Resource for Designers and Researchers

Welcome to the official project space for the "Biocomposites Database," a living document dedicated to bridging the knowledge gap in biobased materials for industrial design. This open-access resource, presented in a collaborative Google Spreadsheet format, is a key outcome of the research presented in our paper, "From Nature to Innovation: A Design Perspective on Biobinders, Biofibers, Bio-additives and Biocomposites."

Our research highlights a persistent challenge: despite the pressing need for sustainable alternatives, industrial designers overwhelmingly rely on fossil- and mineral based materials. This is often due to a lack of awareness and fragmented, inconsistent data on viable biobased options, particularly biocomposites. The objective of this project is to address this issue by providing a structured, design-oriented overview of fully biobased material constituents, thereby fostering their broader adoption in design practice.

The "Biocomposites Database": A Collaborative Tool for the Research Community

This database is more than just a static file; it's a dynamic, crowdsourced platform designed for real-time collaboration. The initial inventory of biobinders, biofibers, and bio-additives was generated using Large Language Models (LLMs) and then refined and cross-verified through expert review and academic sources.

The database is structured to be practical for designers, categorizing material properties into four domains based on Michael Ashby's framework:

1. Experiential Properties: How the material is perceived.

2. Mechanical and Chemical Properties: The material's physical performance characteristics.

3. Processing Properties: How the material can be shaped and manufactured.

4. Circularity Properties: The material's sourcing and end-of-life potential (e.g., recyclability, biodegradability).

Contribute to the Future of Biodesign

We invite you to contribute your expertise to this growing resource. This is an ongoing project, and its success relies on the collective knowledge of the research community. By sharing your data, you help to expand the database, fill existing knowledge gaps, and validate properties from a wider range of sources, addressing the variability often found in natural materials.

• View and Edit the Database: The crowdsourced database is a Google Spreadsheet, accessible via this link: "Biocomposites Database".

• Contribute your data: Simply add new materials or fill in missing data points for existing ones. We encourage you to follow the structure and documentation provided within the spreadsheet.

• Download for your own use: The database is available in a spreadsheet format, which can be easily downloaded for your own research and design projects.

Citing this Work

As a living document, the crowdsourced database is continuously evolving. To ensure proper attribution and academic integrity, we recommend citing the "Biocomposites Database - Crowdsourced and Open Access - Project" as the persistent link to this dynamic resource. When you use a specific, frozen version of the data in a publication, you can create an OSF registration to obtain a permanent DOI.

This database is part of a larger effort to support a shift towards more adaptable, context-responsive design practices that embrace local resources and circular economies, also falling under the broader Biodesign discipline. Thank you for your interest and your potential contribution to this important work.