BioDesign Challenge 

Professors 

Margarita Benitez, Associate Professor, The Fashion School
Dr. Chris Blackwood, Professor, Biological Sciences
Diane Davis-Sikora, Associate Professor, CAED

This course explores how designers might harness living systems and recent technological advancements, as well as how these new applications affect our lives and environment. Students from various disciplines collaborated to explore subjects such as architecture, water, food, materials, energy, medicine, and other areas where inspiration and incorporation of biological systems could make a dramatic difference. 

Student Teams 

BIOBLACK
Janda van Dyk
Jordan Smith
Kirsten Thieman
Lizeth Ramirez
Recipient of the Outstanding Science Award at the 2020 Biodesign Challenge Summit

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Embrace the Mold | Fungal cultures and textile inoculation

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MECA | Home food production and water filtration ecosystem

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Algae Façade | Filamentous algae harvesting on building façade

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Dyeing Rivers | Textile wastewater remediation

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Algae Crushers | Deep sea biofuel production system

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Course Sponsors: 

Kent State University Environmental Science and Design Research Initiative (ESDRI); Design Innovation (DI)

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1st Year Design Studio