Sealed – Energy Efficient Homes Without Cost or Hassle
CategoriesSustainable News Zero Energy Homes

Sealed – Energy Efficient Homes Without Cost or Hassle

Are you someone who wants to make your home more energy efficient but gets stressed about the thought of the time and money involved? Sealed offers home energy renovation packages that take care of the logistics and financing, so you don’t have to. They focus on helping homeowners achieve a stress-free energy upgrade that significantly cuts energy waste in the home. Based in New York, Sealed has extended its services to New Jersey, Connecticut, the Philadelphia Metro Area, and the Chicagoland Area of Illinois – with more to come. They prioritize ease, affordability, and comfort for homeowners through powerful energy upgrades, including heat pumps, whole-home weatherization with insulation, air sealing, and smart home tech, without sacrificing quality – while putting homeowners first. 

The Sources of Renovation Stress 

Have you ever spent all afternoon searching for a decent contractor? Or maybe you have made what feels like a million calls that end up with you waiting on hold or even leading to a dead end. Perhaps you have passed those stages but still find yourself confused and unsure. Unsure about how you might pay or what they’re even talking about. When looking for a decent contractor to help improve energy efficiency within your home, many stressors seem to come along with what should be a harmless task. Sealed helps ensure you don’t have to deal with that nightmare process and can get directly to the dream results. 

Sealed Takes Care of it All 

“We will take care of it all.” Sealed believes in helping people achieve healthy, comfortable, and energy-efficient homes, and they are committed to making it an easy process. Sealed actively takes away the stress of everything from finding contractors up to figuring out a payment method. Sealed provides certified home performance contractors, project plans, and coordination of all of the work. “We manage the installation process from scheduling to completion.” Their method is efficient and affordable. After a day or two in your home, Sealed takes care of everything, including the upfront costs. The energy that you save will help pay for the project. “If you don’t save energy? We don’t get paid”

The Sealed Process Step by Step

At Sealed, we’ve designed a better process for upgrading homes. We prioritize ease, affordability, and accountability, without ever sacrificing quality”. The first step is to take the Sealed qualification quiz. It only takes a few minutes, and you will receive an immediate response as to whether or not you are a good fit for Sealed. The next step is to have an introductory call. On this call, there will be a conversation about the issues your home is experiencing and how they can best address them. This call is free, and there is no obligation to take the conversation further. After the introductory call, Sealed will conduct an energy profile analysis. This analysis entails a quick scan of the home’s energy strengths and weaknesses and past energy usage to understand better what upgrades your home needs. Once Sealed understands your house better, they will devise a project plan and timeline. Your home upgrade plan will include the project value and customized payment program. With Sealed’s payment plan, they can cover up to 100% of the project costs upfront. They’ll work with you to design your repayment terms to balance the low upfront costs with monthly charges that work for your budget. If you’re ready to move forward, you’ll sign your agreement. Next, your Sealed contractor will visit your home to verify that everything is properly scoped out. If any changes are needed, they will adjust the plan accordingly. Then, the installation process will begin. Based on the project plan and timeline, installation takes about one or two days. 

Energy Efficiency with Accountability 

Once the installation is complete, you will start receiving monthly bills. Sealed bases the repayment amount on actual energy savings from the renovations completed. If the home energy improvements don’t reduce your energy use, Sealed won’t get paid. So Sealed partners with the best home contractors and only suggests upgrades that will save you energy and money.

The Help We All Need 

How does the existing housing stock reach zero emissions by 2050? It’s a big job, but Sealed is one of many startups that offers the opportunity for everyone with an existing home to get on the path to zero carbon. Given the federal government’s lack of action, the innovation of private companies, such as Sealed, powered by investor capital, is a great way to reach that goal. By offering the technical resources and financing that homeowners need, companies like Sealed may make it possible for almost all homeowners to get on the path to zero. 

 

–  By Anna Jennissen, Editorial and Events Intern with EEBA. Anna is pursuing a BA at the  University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, majoring in Strategic Communications and Sustainability.

Special thanks to Sealed for editing and reviewing this article.

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Protecting Europe’s forests with AI and data management
CategoriesSustainable News

Protecting Europe’s forests with AI and data management

Spotted: If forests are managed sustainably, they can be an invaluable asset in the fight against climate change. Earlier this year the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) published a report outlining how wood-based innovations and sustainable forest use can help to tackle the climate crisis and achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Timbeter, an Estonian startup, is on a mission to make forestry sustainable ‘one log at a time’. By doing so, it is helping to ensure that forests deliver the potential outlined in the report.  

The startup specialises in timber measurement and data management, using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies to provide greater accuracy in its services. The technology makes it possible to quickly measure log diameters, log count, and log pile density through a smartphone, providing a valuable resource for companies who need to have greater oversight of their forestry data. It could also be used by forestry professionals to track the health of trees and prevent illegal logging.

In a recent study conducted by Poznan University, Timbeter was found to be 95 per cent accurate in its timber measurements. This high level of accuracy is made possible by machine learning technologies that allow Timbeter to constantly refine and improve its algorithms. 

Earlier this month, the startup announced that it has raised €500,000 in funding. The round was led by Future Investment Initiative (FII) Institute, a non-profit organisation run by Saudi Arabia’s main sovereign wealth fund. The company plans to use the funding to continue developing its technology and expanding its team. In addition, Timbeter hopes to raise awareness of the importance of forests and the need to protect them.

Other sustainable forestry innovations, spotted by Springwise, include a network of intelligent sensors helping emergency response teams respond to climate change impacts, and digital ‘smart forest’ technology that helps with forest management and research. 

Written By: Katrina Lane

Website: timbeter.com

Contact: timbeter.com/contact

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A power system brings reliable, affordable electricity to off-grid communities across Africa
CategoriesSustainable News

A power system brings reliable, affordable electricity to off-grid communities across Africa

Spotted: In sub-Saharan Africa, the electrification gap is one of the primary barriers to development. As many as 600 million people in the region live without reliable power. Many basic needs, from education and healthcare to economic opportunity, remain out of reach for millions of people as a result.

Zola Electric, a company originally founded in Tanzania, has developed a power system that promises to bring reliable, affordable electricity to off-grid communities across Africa.

The Zola ‘Infinity’ system is designed to be more reliable and cost-effective than traditional grid-based power and can be quickly deployed to rural areas where electrification is most needed.

The system draws on multiple energy inputs and a smart storage system to provide continuous power. With Infinity, African families will finally have access to the lights, refrigeration, pumps, and other appliances that they need to improve their quality of life. Importantly, Infinity is also designed to be scalable and adaptable, meaning that it can grow with communities as their needs change.

Zola has received backing from a number of prestigious investors including Tesla, Total, and EDF.

Mini-grids and smart storage solutions will be increasingly important as the world’s energy system becomes more decentralised. Springwise has recently spotted a software service that optimises decentralised energy projects and a plug-and-play solar energy system for swarm electrification.

Written By: Katrina Lane

Website: zolaelectric.com

Contact: zolaelectric.com/contact

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An App for Everyone: Spaces Is the Conceptual Design Tool Architects Always Needed
CategoriesArchitecture

An App for Everyone: Spaces Is the Conceptual Design Tool Architects Always Needed

The key to a successful architectural project is the development of a strong conceptual model. Conceptual design is the foundation of architecture and oftentimes, determines the future success of a project. Architects are forever in search of reliable and effective design tools that will aid in bringing their ideas to life. However, finding the right tool isn’t always easy. Many applications available today are complicated, costly and don’t always align with the designer’s working rhythm. For the average on-the-go architect, reliable and straightforward tools are key. Thankfully, Cerulean Labs has delivered just what every architect is after: the Spaces iPad app.

Cerulean Labs comprises a global team that is dedicated to improving the conceptual stage of architecture. Back in October of 2021, the company released Spaces: a parametric conceptual design tool made for the iPad. Today, the brand celebrates its continual effort in improving the conceptual design stage with a new and improved version of the app: Spaces version 2.

This updated application has recently hit the market and boasts a comprehensive list of tools fit for architects of all levels and experiences. Spaces version 2 comes complete with improved editing tools, increased 2D viewing options, new sun studies, new sketching capabilities and additional workflow integration options. This application is well and truly built for the masses.

The Spaces version 2 app boasts an easy-to-use yet comprehensive set of design tools. The app merges old-school drawing techniques with modern-day computing technologies into a user-friendly interface. Its clean and clutter-free layout makes it especially useful for those designers who are constantly on the move.

The new digital sketchbook feature lets users swiftly document their ideas whenever — and wherever — they come to mind. The sketchbook encompasses new technologies, such as the Apple pencil, and allows designers to test their ideas out by sketching and note-taking. Moreover, users can send snapshots of their models directly to the sketchbook and trace them using the Apple pencil. This app celebrates architecture’s oldest and most useful tools – a simple pencil and paper.

The improved interface allows users to switch their screen between the Sketch and Modeling modes with ease.

Another fresh addition to Spaces version 2 is the sun study feature. Recognizing how invaluable solar analysis is to the conceptual design process, Cerulean Labs has developed a tool that allows users to specify the exact location and time of day for their model, and instantly see how shadows cast by their project might impact neighboring buildings. Users can impose an animated sun study directly onto their models in real-time, helping them to better understand how their design responds to its surroundings.

Additionally, Spaces version 2 has introduced IFC and OBJ exporting, which means that models can be exported and furthered in a secondary BIM tool. Moreover, the new space planning feature allows users to manage design briefs, create reports and develop project concepts directly on the app. The improved export options and new space planning features ensure that all models come out professional and presentable. In addition, users can import key site data to their design, thus producing a more precise and site-specific model.

Cerulean Labs is committed to growing and developing its Spaces app. iPads are continuing to dominate the AEC world and professional applications like Spaces version 2 offer increasingly powerful platforms to sketch, model and manage conceptual projects. The spaces app is available in both free and paid versions, with a new subscription recently becoming available: the Spaces Pro. Priced at $75 USD per month, the Spaces Pro subscription offers unlimited projects and comes with new and improved export features, reporting tools and modeling capabilities. The application can be downloaded via the Apple App Store and subscriptions can be managed directly through the Spaces website

Spaces by Cerulean Labs demonstrates the vast capabilities of iPad use in parametric conceptual design. The application offers great depth and flexibility, all the while remaining transportable and accessible. It celebrates traditional design tools while implementing the best modern-day technologies out there. The result is a brilliantly straightforward application suitable for all architects and designers.

Cerulean Labs is currently offering an extended free trial for the app, allowing users to try it out for 3 whole months — click here to find out more and download it (offer ends June 30th). To learn more about the Spaces application and all its offerings, check out the Spaces website.

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Solar-powered water pumps and fishing lights 
CategoriesSustainable News

Solar-powered water pumps and fishing lights 

Spotted: Agriculture accounts for around 30 per cent of Tanzania’s GDP, and the country’s government is in the process of redirecting the farming sector towards a more sustainable and productive pathway.

Helping with this transition is Simusolar, a cleantech startup that is a leading provider of solar-powered water pumps and fishing lights in rural East Africa.

Only 3 per cent of Tanzanian farmers currently have access to irrigation technology, and most of them still use diesel pumps. Simusolar’s affordable solar-powered pumps enable farmers to increase their crop yields while using less water and fuel. In addition, the pumps reduce carbon emissions and pollution from diesel generators.

Meanwhile, Simusolar’s fishing lights replace the polluting kerosene lamps commonly used by Tanzanian fishermen. The solar-powered LEDs are as bright as a kerosene lamp, work under all weather conditions, and incur no fuel or maintenance costs.

Last year, Simusolar received €1.26 million from EDFI ElectriFI, the EU-funded electrification financing initiative. With this funding, the company intends to expand its product portfolio to create a mix of productive equipment solutions and services adapted to farmers’ needs.

Other off-grid solar energy solutions recently spotted by Springwise include a plug-and-play solar energy system for swarm electrification, a solar-powered off-grid desalination system, and solar-powered refrigerators to cut food spoilage in developing countries.

Written By: Katrina Lane

Website: simusolar.com

Contact: simusolar.com/contact

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Coach Houses Are Full of Creative Potential
CategoriesArchitecture

Coach Houses Are Full of Creative Potential

Architizer is thrilled to announce the winners of the 10th Annual A+Awards! Want to earn global recognition for your projects? Sign up to be notified when the 11th Annual A+Awards program launches.  

Coach houses first appeared in England around the 18th century and eventually took off in the United States a century later. Such structures were originally intended to store horse-drawn carriages and eventually used to house automobiles. Unlike a modern-day garage, coach houses were a symbol of status; only a select few could afford personal transportation and as a result, these structures were reserved for the wealthy. The traditional coach followed a distinct layout, they were typically two-storied volumes built separately from the main dwelling. There was space designated for the carriage and a private room built for the driver. These structures were functional in nature and reflected the architectural aesthetic of the main house.

Today, those fortunate enough to come across a property with an existing coach house have the chance to restore and rebuild the edifice into whatever they please. Whether it be an elevated garage or a cozy apartment, the potentialities of a coach house are limitless.

Photo by Harold Clark

Photo by Harold Clark

Cabbagetown Coach House by CORE Architects Inc., Toronto, Canada

This Toronto coach house was remodeled into a functional and minimalist apartment. The coach is roughly 2,500 square feet, which meant that all desired functions and amenities could be easily equipped in the home. The two-storied coach house features a spacious living room, a comfortable kitchen and a separate formal dining area. The dining room was positioned in the atrium to maximize space and comfort as the homeowners enjoy cooking. The kitchen is finished with stainless steel counters, a built-in cutting board and an “appliance garage” perfect for the cooking enthusiast. Bi-fold doors in the living room lead onto a relaxed outdoor courtyard space. The outdoors can equally be enjoyed by the upstairs master bedroom, which leads onto an upper floor exterior space.

Coach House Restaurant by SHH, London, United Kingdom

Located on the historic grounds of Hatfield House is a renovated 19th-century coach now turned elevated eatery. The premise of this construction was to create a space that would maximize revenue, increase year-round access and contribute to the cost of maintaining the historic property. In order to do so, the architects designed a dining space that could be enjoyed by the site’s visitors, tenants and nearby residents.

The coach house was redone using materials that reflected the original 19th-century structure and surrounding buildings. The architects blended older-appearing materials with a contemporary design to create a functional dining environment. The original tea house was expanded to two floors, with a glass extension leading to the exterior grounds. Moreover, a rooftop terrace can be accessed via a central spiral staircase. The renovation has increased the floor space by 70 percent and offers a deli, bakery and chef’s table option.

Flynn Mews House by Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects (LOHA), Dublin, Ireland
Finalist, 2014 A+Awards, Single Family Home M 1,000-3000 sq ft

This residential dwelling is located in the heart of Dublin and celebrates the site’s historic fabric. The home was built on the site of a previous 19th-century coach house and retains its history through a respectful contemporary design. The traditional mews entrance features large floor-to-ceiling windows, which ensure that the new edifice remains connected to the original preserved wall. The home is comprised of two volumes attached by a central sunken courtyard; it is a special indoor/outdoor living environment not typically found in Dublin.

An enclosed glass bridge connects the two volumes and creates a rather striking juxtaposition. The home took part in the Dublin Green Building Pilot Program and features a solar panel water heating system and an underground gray water pump. The project is an exemplar of preserving the old and blending it with the new.

Photo by Christel Derksen & Rolf Bruggink

Photo by Christel Derksen & Rolf Bruggink

House of Rolf by ROLF.FR, Utrecht, Netherlands  

Located in Utrecht, Netherlands, this 19th-century coach was turned into a truly unique space that underwent a distinctive design and building process. The home was constructed using materials that came from a demolished building nearby and proves that waste can, in fact, create something beautiful.

The original edifice was built in 1895 behind an aristocrat’s home, and then in 1955, an additional outbuilding was constructed adjacent to the coach. The current homeowners acquired both structures and the surrounding garden to build a singular dwelling. The interior space was divided into three zones, each of which offer a distinctive living environment. The first zone was left relatively void so that the original coach atmosphere can be experienced.  A freestanding structure, standing separate from the coach, forms a second zone housing the kitchen, bedroom, bath and office space. The third zone, meanwhile, is a sculptural structure attached to the shell of the original volume. The entire house was furnished using local Dutch designers.

Wicker Park Residence by Wheeler Kearns Architects, Chicago, IL, United States

This single-family residence consists of two separate volumes — a primary dwelling and a historic coach — which are attached by an enclosed glass walkway. Located in one of Chicago’s Landmark Districts, the design carefully respects the neighborhood’s historic architecture. The original coach was viewed as a special asset to the property and informed the material choices and decorative elements found in the main dwelling. The interior of both the house and the coach embrace a contemporary aesthetic, while the exterior design is more reflective of the historic neighborhood. For example, metal doors and dark window frames were purposefully incorporated to complement the design of the original coach. Equally, the new edifice is clad in brick which speaks to the coach’s brick façade. Floor-to-ceiling windows adorn the home’s façade and look onto the original structure, thus furthering the connection between the two volumes.

Whether it be for commercial or private use, there are countless ways to design, reinvent and interpret the traditional coach house structure. The possibilities are limitless and the outcome is a special bespoke space.

Architizer is thrilled to announce the winners of the 10th Annual A+Awards! Want to earn global recognition for your projects? Sign up to be notified when the 11th Annual A+Awards program launches. 

Reference

A social enterprise promotes affordable menstrual hygiene
CategoriesSustainable News

A social enterprise promotes affordable menstrual hygiene

Spotted: Studies have shown that girls in sub-Saharan Africa miss up to 20 per cent of school days each year due to period-related complications. And the current COVID-19 pandemic has hit menstruators particularly hard, exacerbating period poverty in the region. Against this backdrop, access to affordable menstrual products is more important than ever.

This is where Tanzanian social enterprise WomenChoice comes in, with its mission to ensure that women and girls in Africa stop managing their period with unhygienic materials. The organisation offers reusable sanitary towels and tampons, as well as additional hygiene products such as breast pads, child and adult diapers, and vomit kits. These are all low cost to ensure they are affordable for everyone.

An important part of WomenChoice’s approach is its distribution model. The enterprise empowers socially disadvantaged young women and girls by employing them as vendors and sales agents who earn 10 per cent royalties for the products they sell.

In addition to producing and distributing affordable products, WomenChoice also provides information on menstruation. This includes training on menstrual hygiene and programmes that tackle period taboos, myths, and superstitions.

Menstrual hygiene is an important topic around the world and Springwise has spotted several innovations helping menstruators manage their periods. These include a reusable sanitary pad and cleaning device for those living in refugee camps and plant-based period products that help those that suffer from cramps.

Website: womenchoice.co.tz

Contact: womenchoice.co.tz/contact

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Upcycling food by-products into plant-based fish
CategoriesSustainable News

Upcycling food by-products into plant-based fish

Spotted: Aggressive and unsustainable farming methods, greenhouse gas emissions, and loss of biodiversity. These are some of the negative impacts associated with the seafood industry. In response, the global plant-based fish market is projected to reach a valuation of $1.3 billion (around €1.2 billion) by 2031. 

Against this backdrop, UK-based food-tech company Better Nature has secured a £350,000 (around €410,000) grant to develop plant-based fish made from food by-products. The company aims for the new range of sustainable seafood products to be nutritious, delicious, and environmentally friendly.

The grant, which comes from the UK’s innovation agency, Innovate UK, will enable Better Nature to build on the company’s proprietary fermentation methods, which are inspired by tempeh – a protein-rich plant-based food originating in Indonesia. This traditional Indonesian delicacy is made by fermenting soybeans.

The new fish alternative will be low in fat and cholesterol, but high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Better Nature’s products are not only good for health – they also have a positive impact on the environment. Traditional seafood farming is often damaging to ecosystems, but Better Nature’s products are produced in a way that minimises environmental impact. In addition, their products are completely free from antibiotics and other chemicals often used in conventional seafood farming.

The project aims to have upcycled vegan fish on the table by 2026.

Recent years have seen a revolution in plant-based food. Springwise has recently spotted a protein-rich food additive made from duckweed, animal-free proteins and preservatives, and alternative fats produced through fermentation.

Written By: Katrina Lane

Website: betternaturetempeh.co

Contact: betternaturetempeh.co/contact

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Giorgio Marafioti - The One Photo Challenge - Superhero
CategoriesArchitecture

Architectural Photography’s Most Underrated Technique?

Send us a photo. Tell us a story. Win $2,500! Architizer’s 3rd Annual One Photo Challenge is underway with a Main Entry Deadline on June 24, 2022! Start your entry for architecture’s biggest photography competition here. 

All architectural spaces have their special atmosphere. The space may be majestic, calming, tedious, depressing or more. Whatever the atmosphere is, it is specific to the building’s own history and site contexts. While being in a building is a four-dimensional experience, photographs capture static two-dimensional moments of the building. Photographs recreate the atmosphere of architectural spaces without bringing people to the building. The architectural space and its stories are presented to more people, especially in the age of digital photography.

Moreover, photos frame ephemeral moments and use these captures to tell stories in a much more straightforward way than the actual space does. Through careful decisions on all aspects of the photo, such as light, color and composition, a set of visual elements are filtered from the vast amount of spatial information to best compose a narrative.

While the margins of photos are already frames of images, creating a second frame within the image is a powerful way to direct the focus. When the photo is divided by the second frame, there are usually contrasts between the inside and outside of the second frame. The contrasts then emphasize the characteristics of both parts of the photo. See how the second frame works in the photos of six finalist from last year’s One Photo Challenge.


Superhero by Giorgio Marafioti

Giorgio Marafioti - The One Photo Challenge - SuperheroTaken in Novazzano Residential Complex in Switzerland, this work imagines the site as the residence of a superhero. The view looks through a series of circular openings and lands on the end of the space. There, a figure is floating as only a superhero can. The figure occupies the center of the composition and is backed by a warm, bright background.

Consecutive openings form a strong sense of perspective and a series of cold-color frames, both emphasizing the figure in the center. The repetitiveness of the identical frames expresses the “sense of bewilderment” of nowadays society that is “closed in on itself.” Ending this repetition is the hero who brings hope to society.


Mid-Century (birds)Framed by the doorway in this image is a wall covered in wallpapers depicting birds and plants. In the foreground is a darker room with abstract geometric shapes on its walls. The rather modernist patterns in the foreground contrast the nostalgic patterns behind them in terms of brightness, color schemes and the complexity of shapes.

When the space in the foreground was built, it was meant to get away from the “old-fashion,” figurative decorations. Interestingly, what was seen as old-fashion is now in-style once again. The image displays a subtle coexistence of the aesthetics from two time periods which turns into a loop of fashions over time.


Oculus sky - Melissa TeoIn this photo, the first thing that grabs the viewer’s attention might be the sky framed by the building’s roof. Inside and outside the frames are respectively the bright natural environment and the built environment in the roof’s shadow.

The frame is broken by a figure in the lower middle of the composition. By connecting the inside and outside of the frame with the figure, the framing allows two separated, contrasting parts become a coherent image. The upward-looking self-portrait conveys the author’s positive feelings toward the future.


"Expo'98 Portuguese National Pavilion" by Tomáš HejzlarNearly half of the image is occupied by the canopy of Álvaro Siza’s Expo’98 Portuguese National Pavilion, which reframes the image. All contents, the street, the pedestrians, the cyclists, etc, are concentrated in the lower half of the composition. The brightness of the late morning sunlight becomes a white canvas, while the shaded inner side of the canopy seems so dark that forces your view down.

The canopy is plain and massive, and the shapes in the light look elegantly delicate. The slight curvature of the canopy neutralized the heaviness and harness. Moreover, as the frame curves upwards at both ends, it indicates a space that gradually opens up outside the photo.


Habitat by Manolo Langis

The author creates an irregular second frame with the building Habitat 67 by Moshe Safdie. Heavy concrete volumes are layered one over another, while each rectangular volume is different in length and thickness. Together, they frame the green space in the background with straight lines and clear angles, highlighting the contrast between natural and built, organic and industrial.

The skylight in the upper-left corner drops a piece of light on the floor as well as the figure walking in the foreground. The geometrical outline of the skylight echoes that of the inner frame and hence that of the building.


overhead-hong-kong-tommy-lei-fine-modern-photographerThe image depicted here might be striking to those who never lived in areas of dense population. However, it is the type of view that the author grew up with. The building here is one of the government-subsidized residences for low incomes. In this photo, the sky is clear like a plain color block while buildings are rich in forms and textures. The windows are rhythmic as your view goes upwards from the bottom of the photo. The rhythm comes to a sudden end as it reaches the top of the building, where the sky frees you from the intense building surface. The photo is mirrored to form the symmetrical frame in the middle. This creates a feeling of being surrounded by buildings and multiplies the intensity of the textures.

Send us a photo. Tell us a story. Win $2,500! Architizer’s 3rd Annual One Photo Challenge is underway with a Main Entry Deadline on June 24, 2022! Start your entry for architecture’s biggest photography competition here. 

Reference

Lab-grown breast milk could replace formula
CategoriesSustainable News

Lab-grown breast milk could replace formula

Spotted: As almost all American parents of infants are aware, there is currently a huge shortage of infant formula. Caused by a temporary shutdown of the US’s main formula producer, the situation has driven many parents to despair. While breast milk is the ideal food for infants, it is not always possible or practical to breastfeed – for various reasons. Now one company, BIOMILQ, is hoping to offer parents the best of both worlds – lab-grown ‘real’ breast milk.

Cell biologist Dr. Leila Strickland came up with the idea for BIOMILQ while she was struggling to breastfeed her own newborn. Struggling to produce enough milk, she turned to formula. Although the choice was the right one, she also realised that it was not ideal, as formula does not have the perfect nutritional composition for babies. Eleven years later, Strickland worked out how to culture breast cells in a lab and collect the milk they secrete.

BIOMILQ refers to its process as, ‘the mother of all patented technology’. The company began, in true startup fashion, in a rented lab space with used equipment sourced from eBay. Initial experiments involved cow udders. But the nascent company had no budget to test if cells were really producing milk and Strickland gave up her lab after a few years, in 2016. Then, in 2019, she decided to try again, this time with the support of Michelle Egger, who had worked for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The pair had a commercial lab run a proof-of-concept experiment which showed that the cells were producing the same proteins and sugars found in human breast milk.

Following this success, Bill Gates bought a $3.5 million stake in the company in 2021, which will allow it to scale up the process. Strickland explains the process, saying, “We start with these amazing cells that line a woman’s mammary gland. Using the same techniques that we’ve used for decades to grow cells outside the body, we’re able to reproduce the behaviour these cells have evolved over millions of years, to produce components in quantities that match the baby’s needs.”

To produce its breast milk, BIOMILQ uses similar techniques to those used to grow other cell-based foods, such as cultured meat and dairy. Donated breast tissue and milk cells are fed nutrients and incubated in a bioreactor. Springwise has been following the cultured food industry with great interest, as well as similar innovations such as fats produced through fermentation. 

Written By: Lisa Magloff

Email: hello@biomilq.com

Website: biomilq.com

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