Betulina
The project and functional prototypes were made in collaboration between Linh Tong (Chemical Engineer) and Sonja Dallyn in Chemarts Summer School 2020. Combining design, storytelling and technical know-how, the project aims to communicate the wonders of ancient natural healing methods to an overly medicalised world. | 2020
Birch Polypore has been used in traditional medicine all over the Northern Hemisphere for thousands of years. The medical properties of F. Betulina include anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiviral and antiseptic agents. Betulina - Ancient Remedies Rediscovered is a project that offers a simple solution to harness the fungi’s natural drug cocktail and moisture absorbing qualities into use as a medical bandage. These bandages consist of three biodegradable layers: a water-resistant chitin coating, a skin-safe adhesive-layer, and a non-adhesive healing-layer. They are derived from natural ingredients, with 80% from Fomitopsis Betulina, the Birch Polypore.
The work was exhibited in Materialising the Future – CHEMARTS 10 years - exhibition in 2021 as well as in Design without Borders at the Kiscelli Museum in Budapest in 2022.
Materials: Fomitopsis betulina, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), glycerol, sodium hydroxide (NaOH), baking soda
Photos: Esa Kapila