Vision

Our vision is to create a translucent foam. This innovative material has the potential for various applications, from aesthetic enhancement in design and architecture to functional applications in insulation and light diffusion. By following precise steps and tightly controlling the experimental conditions, we aim to produce a high quality translucent foam that meets our goal of creating a lamp that emits beautiful light when switched on but is also a beautiful sight to behold when not switched on.

General implementation/fabrication of all experiments:

First and foremost, we meticulously disinfect all the equipment and utensils required for the experiment. This step ensures that our work environment is sterile and free from any contaminants that could potentially affect the results. Following this, each ingredient is carefully weighed or measured to the precise gram or milliliter, ensuring accuracy and consistency in our experimental procedure.

Once all ingredients are prepared, they are combined in a pot. We mix them thoroughly until we achieve a smooth, lump-free consistency. This careful mixing is crucial for the quality of our final product. The mixture is then gradually heated to 100 degrees Celsius, with constant stirring to prevent any ingredients from settling or burning.

As the mixture heats, foam begins to form on the surface. This foam is carefully skimmed off and poured into separate dishes. After the foam is removed, the remaining liquid mixture is also poured into dishes, ensuring that we collect all components of our experiment. This meticulous process ensures that both the foam and the liquid are properly handled and preserved for further analysis or use.

Experiment 1

The basic recipe

• 100ml water 

• 20g gelatine

• 5g glycerine

Observation:

When we mixed the cold water with the gelatine and glycerol, white foam formed, which first became more and then less dense when heated.

After pouring off the mixture, some of the liquid settled at the bottom of the petri dish with the foam.

Experiment 2

• 100ml water

• 10.0g gelatine,

• 10.0g glycerine,

• 1 knife tip butterfly pea flower powder

info:

Butterfly pea flower powder, made from the dried petals of the Clitoria ternatea plant, is used as a natural food coloring for its vibrant blue hue, and in herbal teas and traditional medicine for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential cognitive benefits. We used it for the color.

Observation:

This mixture foamed less than the basic recipe without color pigment. The blue colored evenly and there were no real bubbles, but it was more cloudy. The liquid was very humane.

Experiment 3

• 100ml water,

• 10g gelatine,

• 10g glycerine

Observation:

The foam did not solidify completely, but formed a translucent substance. None of the liquid settled to the bottom. The material is brittle and thin.

One week later:

The liquid solidified, but is somewhat sticky on the surface. Mold formed on the surface. The material itself is malleable and resembles a flexible plastic film.

Experiment 4

What are Bio based resources that produce foam and why? The material should be used for lampshades or light bulbs?
The answer is Alginate: Extracted from brown seaweed, alginate can produce foam when combined with a foaming agent and a calcium salt to cross-link the structure.

• 100ml water + an extra 200ml water

• 20g gelatine

• 8g glycerine

• 3g iota carrageenan fully refined

• 1 knife tip indigo leaves

**info:
**Iota carrageenan is a natural gelling agent obtained from red algae. The powder enables the production of a very elastic and soft gel with very high transparency.
Indigo leaves, from the Indigofera tinctoria plant, are primarily used to produce natural indigo dye, which is traditionally employed in textile dyeing for its rich blue color, and they are also explored in medicinal studies for their potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Observation:

The mixture became very thick and lumps formed. So we added an additional 200 ml of water and pureed the mixture with a blender. We heated this mixture in a pan at 100 degrees. A thick foam formed. that foam, We skimmed off.

One week later:

The mixture had shrunk a lot and was mouldy. More air bubbles had formed in the foam.

Experiment 5

• 150ml water

• 20g gelatine

• 8g glycerine

• 0.5g iota carrageenan full rafinate

• 0.5g beetroot

info:

Iota carrageenan is a natural gelling agent obtained from red algae. The powder enables the production of a very elastic and soft gel with very high transparency.
Beetroot powder is a dehydrated and finely ground form of beetroot, commonly used as a natural food coloring and flavoring, as well as for its nutritional benefits, including being rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Observation:

A jelly-like mass formed, which turned into foam when mixed with the blender.

We decanted the foam and poured off some of the liquid. This became a more solid mass relatively quickly. The foam solidified and condensed, forming a translucent substance. Some of the liquid settled at the bottom of the foam. The foam therefore has a solid base. The material is slightly flexible.

One week later:

Nice foam, perfect flexibel sheet of material and translucent.

Experiment 6

• 150ml water

• 20g gelatine

• 12g glycerine

• 0.5g iota carrageenan full raffinate

• 0.5g beetroot

• 0.5g butterfly pea flower powder

info:

Iota carrageenan is a natural gelling agent obtained from red algae. The powder enables the production of a very elastic and soft gel with very high transparency.
Beetroot powder is a dehydrated and finely ground form of beetroot, commonly used as a natural food coloring and flavoring, as well as for its nutritional benefits, including being rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Butterfly pea flower powder, made from the dried petals of the Clitoria ternatea plant, is used as a natural food coloring for its vibrant blue hue, and in herbal teas and traditional medicine for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and potential cognitive benefits. We used it for the color.

Observation:

It foamed less and was therefore automatically more liquid, but then quickly solidified in the bowl.

One week later:

Foam formed, which gives a little under pressure. The foam is not evenly distributed. Light shines through matt.

Experiment 7

• 150ml water

• 20g gelatine

• 10g glycerine

• 0.5g iota carrageenan full rafinate

• 0.5g sandiwood color

info:

Iota carrageenan is a natural gelling agent obtained from red algae. The powder enables the production of a very elastic and soft gel with very high transparency.
Sandalwood powder is a finely ground form of the heartwood of sandalwood trees, primarily used in cosmetics, skincare products, and traditional medicine for its aromatic properties, soothing effects, and potential therapeutic benefits, including its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. We used it for the color effect.

Observation:

Foam is formed, the material is elastic and can be pressed in, the foam gives way.

One week later:

Nothing changed.

Experiment 8

• 150ml water

• 25g gelatine

• 8g glycerine

• 0.5g iota carrageenan fully refined

• 0.5g beetroot powder

info:

Iota carrageenan is a natural gelling agent obtained from red algae. The powder enables the production of a very elastic and soft gel with very high transparency.
Beetroot powder is a dehydrated and finely ground form of beetroot, commonly used as a natural food coloring and flavoring, as well as for its nutritional benefits, including being rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Observation:

The foam was flatter, but also more stable and pliable.

One week later:

It was mouldy.

Experiment 9

• 150ml water

• 20g gelatine

• 5g glycerine

• 0.5g iota carrageenan fully refined

• 1g turmeric

info:

Iota carrageenan is a natural gelling agent obtained from red algae. The powder enables the production of a very elastic and soft gel with very high transparency.
Turmeric is a bright yellow spice derived from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, widely used for its flavor, color, and medicinal properties, particularly for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

Observation:

Problem: no foam

One week later:

It moulded.

Experiment 10

• 150ml water

• 25g gelatine

• 8g glycerine

• 0.5g iota carrageenan fully refined

• 1g beetroot powder

• 7g gum arabic

info:

Iota carrageenan is a natural gelling agent obtained from red algae. The powder enables the production of a very elastic and soft gel with very high transparency.
Beetroot powder is a dehydrated and finely ground form of beetroot, commonly used as a natural food coloring and flavoring, as well as for its nutritional benefits, including being rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Gum arabic is a natural gum made of the hardened sap of various species of the acacia tree, used primarily in the food industry as an emulsifier and stabilizer.

Observation:

Very dense foam formed.

One week later:

It moulded.

Result

We decided on the 5th experiment. Here, we achieved the overall best result. The material produced in this experiment was translucent, had a flexible, shiny side, and a side with some foam. Exactly what we wanted to achieve.

We repeated the experiment one more time, to have enough material for our lamp. We chose a lamp, that can be placed anywhere, as it uses solar power and does not require an electrical connection. Additionally, the solar light can be replaced with a candle, providing candlelight that also works without electricity.