BioBeads are beads for a better future. Can algae make it to Mardi Gras?
Material Lab Prize 2025 Honorable Mention
BioBeads aim to curb the negative effects of plastic beads through its use of clean materials and biodegradability.
The creation of BioBeads was inspired by revelrous celebrations and events, like Mardi Gras, that directly contribute to single-use plastic waste. The case study of Mardi Gras is particularly important because plastic beads are deeply embedded in the cultural heritage and tradition of New Orleans, Lousiana, yet, they compound environmental damage by leaching toxins and clogging storm drains in a city damaged by historical flooding catastrophes like Hurricane Katrina.
Ingredients:
Agar:
Sugar contained from the cell walls of red algae or seaweed
Chitosan:
Sugar derived from the outter shell of crustacean exoskeletons
Vegetable Glycerin:
Hydrolysis of vegetable fats
Distilled Water:
Condensation gathered from the vapor of evaporated water
White Vinegar:
Fermented distilled alcohol
Calcium Carbonate:
Pulverized limestone powder
Mica:
Silicate mineral extracted from igneous rock
Green Matcha:
Green tea leaves
Red Beet:
Dehydrated and pulverized beets
Shape, Size, and Strength Experimentation: