Kent State University

PROJECTS | 2020

BioBlack

Janda van Dyk, Jordan Smith, Kirsten Thieman, Lizeth Ramirez

BioBlack seeks to replace synthetic black dye with a natural alternative made from Janthinobacterium. The team imagines using pop-up shops to demonstrate the dyeing process to consumers.

https://www.bioblack.co/

Finalist Team + Outstanding Science Prize Winner

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.27.33 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.22.14 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.23.22 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.23.31 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.22.33 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.24.10 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.24.54 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.25.08 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.25.30 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.25.45 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.28.07 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.27.00 PM.png

Screen Shot 2020-08-03 at 12.27.49 PM.png

Instructors

Margarita Benitez.jpg — Margarita Benitez

Margarita Benitez is an Associate Professor at The Fashion School at Kent State University. She is the Fashion Technologist and TechStyleLAB Director. She received her MFA in art and technology studies through a trustee scholarship from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Her bachelor's degrees are in new media arts and animation and in studio arts (specializing in fiber-based painting/video art). In addition to working with fashion technology, wearables and e-textiles, Margarita’s current research explores digital fabrication in an art and design context. Her current projects include 3D-printing animal habitats/enrichments, VR and fashion explorations and Liquid Crystal Sock for self-monitoring. During her eight years at Kent State University, Margarita has collaborated with the architecture, biology, dance, liquid crystals, podiatry and physics departments and the Kent State University Museum.

Diane Davis-Sikora.jpg — Diane Davis-Sikora

Diane Davis-Sikora is a licensed architect and Associate Professor in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design at Kent State University. Her current research focuses on temporary, interactive structures with surfaces that employ variable patterns and dynamic material effects. Diana has also produced films on narrative and documentary storytelling in architecture. Her writings have been presented nationally and internationally; and her projects exhibited in the Denver Art Museum, San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, Chicago Athenaeum, Curated Storefront, and the 2019 IASS Form & Force Expo in Barcelona, Spain.

Christopher Blackwood.jpg — Christopher Blackwood

Christopher Blackwood is an ecologist working at the interface of microbiology, soil science, and plant ecology. He obtained a Ph.D. from Michigan State University and is now Professor of Biological Sciences at Kent State University. Christopher’s work addresses environmental issues spanning natural, managed, and built environments, including urban green infrastructure, forest restoration, and soil carbon storage.