Biodegradable Luminaire

I designed and made a biodegradable luminaire from an eggshell-paper pulp biomaterial. A biodegradable luminaire is a light fixture designed to be environmentally friendly using materials that biological processes can break down naturally. These luminaires are typically made from organic or natural materials, such as bamboo, hemp, or cornstarch-based plastics, that can decompose when disposed of properly. This makes them a more sustainable option compared to traditional light fixtures, which can take hundreds of years to break down in landfills and can release harmful chemicals into the environment during their disposal.

two 500mm x 250mm pvc plastic sheets

one vacuum-forming machine

one 5-liter bucket

100g of flour

2 egg cartons

10 eggshells

one kettle

3,4 liters of water

two 600mm x 1000mm mdf 3mm sheets

one laser-cutting machine

one PC with Solidworks installed

biodegradable wood glue

500g roll of twine

Using Solidworks 2022 or any other 3d modeling software to draw out the design and save it as dxf for laser cutting.

Using the dxf you've designed. Laser cut laser from 3mm mdf and glue the lasers on top of each other.

1. Using the laser cut master vacuum form over it with the PVC plastic sheet using a vacuum former.
2. Wait 5 mins for the plastic to melt enough then vacuum form over the master.
3. Remove the plastic mould from the vacuum former.

Egg Carton:

1. Cut the egg carton into small pieces.
2. Mix the egg carton pieces with the 3,4 liters of boiling water.
3. Mix thoroughly to a paper-pulp

Eggshells:

1. Crush the eggs shells into small pieces

1. Pour the egg carton paper pulp mixture into a 5-liter bucket.
2. Add the crushed egg shells into the mixture.
3. Mix thoroughly so the egg shells are well distributed.
4. Pour the 100g of flour into the mixture and mix well.

1. Pour the biomaterial mixture into the vacuum-formed mould.
2. Wait 48 hours for the material to set then remove from the mould.
3. Wait another 24 hours for the material to completely dry.
4. repeat this process for three moulds

1. Join the moulds together using the twine while leaving a 150mm gap between each section.
2. drill a 4mm diameter hole through the center of the log.
3. Tie the branch on top of the top section.
4. Connect the cord and light bulb fixture through the hole of the branch.
5. Hang the finished luminaire up from a ceiling trey or into the light fixture of your ceiling.