WANDERERS
2014–2016
A Unified Approach
to Grown Structures
2014–2015
Matter
PhotopolymersMedia
3D-printed macro/micro fluidicsOrganism
E. coli & Cyanobacteria
(co-cultured)SYNOPSISOver a decade ago, we kickstarted
our exploration of synthetic
biology with a project entitled
A Unified Approach to Grown Structures.
Emulating biological growth by
developing complex geometric forms
over multiple iterations, this
computational approach provided
a framework for the generation
of a broad variety of different
structures. Also part of the same
questioning was Wanderers, a series
of computationally grown and
additively manufactured wearables
t h a t s p e c u l a t e s u p o n n e w w a y s o f
creating and producing clothing.DESCRIPTIONInspired by natural growth behaviour,
the computational process creates
shapes that adapt to their
environment. Starting with a seed,
the process simulates growth by
continuously expanding and refining
its shape. Due to the generative
nature of the algorithm it was
possible to create a wide range of
wearables that adapt to the human
body for pre-visualisation and
design iteration.F r o m t h i s p r o c e s s f o u r w e a r a b l e s
w e r e g r o w n a s p a r t o f t h e W a n d e r e r s
p r o j e c t. I n s p i r e d b y p l a n e t s, t h e y
w e r e d e s i g n e d t o b e e m b e d d e d w i t h
living matter: Qamar, embodying the
surface of the moon and featuring
pods for algae-based air-purification;
Zuhal, a fibrous piece designed to
contain bacteria that converts
S a t u r n’s h y d r o c a r b o n s i n t o e d i b l e
matter; Otaared, a protective
exoskeleton created for the planet
Mercury; and Mushtari, a tortuous
piece inspired by the human
gastrointestinal tract, designed to
interact with Jupiter’s atmosphere.All this led to Wanderers: Living
Mushtari, a multimaterial
3D-printed wearable designed to
culture microbial communities
through 58m of internal fluid
channels. The wearable concept
piece was designed to function as
a ‘m i c r o b i a l f a c t o r y ’ t h a t u s e s
genetically modified microbes to
make useful products for the wearer.
Optimally, Mushtari could enable
and inform a symbiotic relationship
between two microorganisms:
photosynthetic autotrophs, such
as microalgae or cyanobacteria,
and compatible heterotrophs, such
a s E. c o l i o r B. s u b t i l i s. T h e
photosynthetic autotrophs could
convert sunlight into nutrients for
the heterotrophs, which could in
turn produce compounds for specific
applications. This form of microbial
symbiosis, a phenomenon commonly
found in nature, builds upon the
inherent symbiosis present between
the wearer and the microbes within
the wearable. We ultimately envision
a fully functional photosyntheticprototype that contains engineered
heterotrophs such that the wearer
would be able to trigger microbial
production of specific compounds
of interest, including scents,
pigments and fuels.While 3D-printing has been shown to
be a viable means for the production
of bespoke wearable-scale products,
this technology had not previously
been used to print a wearable
w i t h a n i n n e r fl u i d i c n e t w o r k. U n t i l
recently, additive manufacturing
has been used to produce micro fluidic
devices only in a single material or
at a small scale – usually below
feature sizes of 10cm. Mushtari is
the first fluidic device of its kind
w i t h c h a n n e l s a s t h i n a s 1 m m i n
diameter and digitally fabricated
at a wearable scale.CREDITSResearch and design by The Mediated
Matter Group at the MIT Media Lab
in collaboration with Stratasys.
Mediated Matter researchers include
William Patrick, Christoph Bader,
Dominik Kolb, Steven Keating,
Sunanda Sharma, and group director
Neri Oxman.Above, morphological variations of
the Wanderers, a collection of
computationally grown wearables
i n s p i r e d b y p l a n e t g r o w t h
Opposite, four variants from the
U n i fi e d A p p r o a c h t o G r o w t h
S t r u c t u r e s p r o j e c t. To p r o w, t w o
different types of line expansions;
bottom row, planar expansions
∑ 319
Neri Oxman