Cross-section of material innovation and durability
The presentations were cross-sections of current developments and pressing problems in the area of material innovation and sustainability, as well as new partnerships and initiatives. For example, Lucie Havlova talked about a possible international New Material Award (NMA) edition, the initiative for which was taken in collaboration with Het Nieuwe Instituut, Materfad and MatériO Paris. To this end, an application for a European grant has been submitted, with the aim of sharing the knowledge that the NMA generates in this area through masterclasses at academies and on an international open platform. This could involve case studies in the areas of local production, waste recycling and agricultural production, solutions inspired by nature, extending product life, solutions to social issues, new technology, renewable resources, clean energy and the purification of contaminated air, water and soil.
The four cooperating organisations share an interest in the cross-disciplinary field of material innovation and recognise the importance of the award by using it to inspire sustainable and innovative designs that contribute to a better world.
Diana Scherer is a good example of this. In 2016 she won the New Material Fellow for her research project Interwoven, in which she transformed plant roots into a textile-like material. During her six-month follow-up research fellowship at Het Nieuwe Instituut, we will assist her by providing a network, platform and advice. Among the topics Scherer discussed in her presentation was the collaboration with Radboud University and the positive impact that experiments in design practices have on scientific research. Her research project is one of the most striking examples of the New Material Award, in which the dialogue between designers and scientists and the importance of experimentation as a generator for new ideas are made visible.