The Nature Lab's approach to material innovation is rooted not only in sustainability, but in creating materials embedded in biological systems, through both natural metabolisms and created metabolisms.

In natural metabolisms, sometimes referred to as grow-it yourself (GIY), organisms make our materials. This is the case with kombucha leather or mushroom foams from introduced feedstocks. Created metabolisms use biologically-derived ingredients to fabricate materials with lab equipment, such as starch-, gelatin- or agar- based bioplastics. Like materials in nature, some are extremely ephemeral, like a flower petal, and some can last a very long time, like wood. All are ultimately biodegradable.

For more information, please check out our Biodesign Makerspace website or our Biomaterials, Natural Pigments, and Fabrication collection. If you’d like to schedule a biomaterials workshop, tour the biomaterials library, or have a question about making biomaterials at the Nature Lab please fill out our Biomaterials Request Form.  

Current hours of operation for the Biodesign Makerspace (Room 11): Monday - Friday 9am - 4:30pm. Walk-in visitors may be able to use the space but availability is not guaranteed.

This form is for Nature Lab biomaterials requests only.

To request an individual appointment or class demonstration in the Microscopy + Imaging Lab (Room 12), please use the Technology Training and Use Form.

To request a visit to the Natural History Collection (Room 22)  please use the Natural History Collection Reservation Form.