Compostable Devices

E-waste is one of the fastest growing waste streams. Especially small electrical devices have become short-lived objects of use that consume valuable resources. The current recycling system mainly tries to separate the different metals as well as possible. Despite advanced technological processes, however, finite raw materials such as precious and non-ferrous metals are lost in the process.
In this context, the thesis explores the use of microbially produced materials in small electrical appliances, using the hair dryer as an example. Two principles were followed: Firstly, as many non-electrical components as possible should be compostable. On the other hand, electrical components and different metal fractions should be separated by a rotting process in order to enable purely technological sorting.

Mushroom mycelium is electrically insulating, flame-retardant and heat-resistant up to 250 °C, which makes it ideal as a material for circuit boards and housing parts. Material experiments were carried out at the universitys BioLab and housing parts were manufactured for an existing hairdryer. Pressing significantly increased the stiffness and strength of the material.
The final design focuses on a material and production-friendly construction with mycelium composites and the separability of the functional components through the biological decomposition of the supporting parts.