Barbara Pollini

Since 2010, I’ve been engaged in the realm of sustainable design, specializing through a Master’s in Ecodesign and Eco-innovation. This program provided me with a comprehensive understanding of life cycle design principles. I further honed my expertise with a Master’s Degree in Computational Design, where I delved into the fusion of biomimicry and the creation of novel materials. This integration was based on generative modeling and additive manufacturing.

Over the years, I’ve explored the realm of Design for Sustainability from various angles: as a designer, consultant, educator, and researcher. In recent times, my focus has been primarily on sustainable materials, particularly those that are circular, organic, waste-based, and biofabricated. I’ve delved into both industrial-scale production and the grassroots phenomenon of self-production, including DIY materials.

My current research for my PhD centers on materials derived from and created with living organisms. Employing a transdisciplinary approach that intersects material design, biology, and ecology, I’m exploring how this emerging materiality aligns within the context of sustainable design.

In addition, I’ve cultivated a collaboration with an Italian lichenologist to develop bioreceptive materials for lichens and mosses. Furthermore, I’ve undertaken two research stints as a visiting PhD in scientific laboratories. In one instance, I functioned as a “designer in the lab,” working on new fibroin-based materials at SilkLab, Tufts University, Boston. In another, I applied biofabricated materials to the realm of edible electronics at IIT, Milan.

Communication and dissemination of my scientific results.