Centazzo's project is a system of tiles that makes use of the insulating properties of glass to replace the vast amount of mixed plastics normally used to encase electrical wires in the home.

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These include a glass container that uses water channels to keep its contents from oxidising, and a loose-leaf teapot to replace single-use bags.

The nine injection moulded tensile test samples were divided into three groups – A, B, and C which corresponded to the sintering temperatures used of 1250°C, 1300°C, and 1350°C, respectively. Fig. 1 (bottom to top) shows an example of the injection-moulded TA1 part in the as-moulded, debinderised, and sintered condition. Relative densities of the sintered MIM TA1 parts were found to increase with the increase in the sintering temperature from 1250°C to 1300°C, showing a rise of 1.07% to 4.189 g/cm3, or 92.85 ± 0.03% relative density, in sample B. At 1350°C the sintered density of sample C increased by only 0.28% to 4.202 g/ cm3.

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In the system Pope is proposing, pharmacies would receive medication in bulk before portioning it out into these vials according to the needs of each customer.

The carbon and oxygen contents were determined for each of the three groups of sintered MIM TA1 samples as shown in Table 3. The carbon and oxygen contents were determined by plasma emission spectrometry. The sintered microstructures were observed by Optical Microscopy, and EPMA was used to measure the distribution of the compounds formed by carbon and oxygen elements with titanium. The microstructures and fractures of the MIM TA1 samples were observed by SEM, and the forms of carbon and oxygen were determined using a field emission SEM. The relationship between the forms of carbon and oxygen and the orientation of pure titanium matrix was analysed by TEM.

Jaxon Pope created a series of glass vials that could be used as an alternative to the throwaway blister packs in which medication is commonly sold.

Another student encased coloured glass offcuts – which are harder to recycle due to the chemicals used to dye them – within clear glass to create decorative, Terrazzo-like tiles.

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A group of researchers in China and New Zealand have been studying the use of MIM to produce TA1 components using spherical TA1 powder and a water-soluble binder and the results of this research have been published in a paper available online (February 2024) in the Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology entitled: ‘Microstructures and mechanical properties of TA1 sintered samples prepared by injection moulding using water-soluble binder’. The authors of the paper include Weichen Zhang, Lu Li, Peng Cao, Gang Chen and Muhammad Dilawer Hayat.

The authors reported that three groups, each containing three MIM TA1 samples, were sintered at different temperatures (1250°C, 1300°C and 1350°C), and that the main focus of their research was to explore the reasons for the different properties in the sintered samples, such as the differences in relative densities, microstructures and mechanical properties. Because TA1 has a high affinity for carbon and oxygen elements, the impact of the distribution of these elements in the sintered microstructure and on the final properties of MIM TA1 samples was also analysed.

Contact lens cases, vegetable vases and pill packets are some glass objects by students at Lund University in Sweden to explore how the reusable could help the transition to a circular economy.

Others turned their attention to the personal care industry, designing packaging that would facilitate a keep-and-refill system. Customers would hold on to their glass containers and top up everything from make-up to cleaning products in the shop.

The fair is part of the wider Stockholm Design Week, which also saw design studio Form Us With Love launch a mix-it-yourself hand soap that almost entirely eliminates plastic waste.

"By moving the wiring from inside the walls to their surface, they are easier to access for maintenance or modification without having to damage walls or replace the whole system. If a house is demolished, the tiles can easily be reused or recycled."

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The authors concluded that the MIM TA1 samples in group B possess the best mechanical properties when sintered at 1300 C. The β-Ti is present in the sample, while TiC and a small amount of TiO2 are produced. TiC particles hinder the dislocation movement and grain boundary growth. Solid solution strengthening, second phase strengthening, and grain refinement increase the strength of the sample and grain refinement, and the presence of β-Ti improves the elongation of the sample.

The resulting 31 designs were presented at the Stockholm Furniture & Light Fair as part of an exhibition called Transparent.

Different coloured scales on the side of each vial help the pharmacist fill in the right doses, while the lid is made from recyclable plastic to create an airtight seal.

The polymers in plastic, on the other hand, degrade a little every time they are recycled, meaning they need to be mixed with new, virgin plastic to remain viable.

Julius Nobling, meanwhile, created a series of vases in different shapes and sizes, to draw attention to the little-known fact that various vegetables can easily be re-grown at home with nothing but scraps and stumps that would otherwise have gone to waste.

In this way, the potassium, phosphorous and nitrogen that build up in the water over time aren't flushed down the drain when the water gets changed, but instead used to help plants grow.

Items ranging from food and drink packaging, to cosmetics and building materials, have been made from glass in collaboration with a team of expert glassblowers.

"The medicine is initially purchased with an additional cost for its packaging and can then be returned to the pharmacy for a refund or refilled without an additional package charge," he explained.

The tiles would be attached to the wall using a backplate. Its internal pattern allows wires to be neatly organised before they are safely enclosed behind a removable front face.

"It utilises no plastic or hybrid materials and is much more resistant to temperature, corrosion and rodents," he told Dezeen.

TA1 spherical pure titanium powder having the composition shown in Table 1 was mixed with a water soluble binder composed of polyethylene glycol (PEG), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and stearic acid, and the resulting pellet MIM feedstock was injection moulded to produce nine tensile test parts. The injection moulded green MIM TA1 parts were first soaked in a water bath at 50°C for 24 h to remove the main PEG binder component, and any residual PEG and PMMA binders were removed in the thermal debinding stage which was done simultaneously with sintering because of the cleanliness of PMMA.

TA1 is a commercial pure grade of titanium which exhibits low density, excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatiblity and, whilst its tensile strength is not high compared with many Ti alloys, it has good toughness and exceptional ductility. Typical applications include medical devices, dental parts, smart wearable devices, and in areas requiring high oxidation resistance in corrosive environments. Titanium is also known to be a difficult to machine metal and Metal Injection Moulding has been found to be an ideal high volume manufacturing process for TA1 titanium near-net shape components having complex shapes at lower cost.

One sample was selected from each sample group A, B, and C to study its microstructure, and Fig. 2 shows the SEM images of three samples at different magnifications. The figure shows that the microstructure is dominated by equiaxial α phases. The authors established that the grain size of sample B is significantly smaller than that of sample A, as shown in Figs. 2 (a), 2 (c), and 2 (e). However, the grain size of sample C is larger. Obvious precipitates at the grain boundaries are visible in Fig. 2 (c), and many needle-like structures exist in Fig. 2 (d). Fig. 2 (f) also shows the same needle-like structures but in smaller quantities. These are presumed to be composed of β-Ti according to their locations, and further analysed by TEM. In addition to point-like precipitates, Figs. 2 (c) and 2 (e) also show lump precipitates (red circle). FESEM was employed to determine its composition further.

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"I created a thin, long vase for things like leeks and spring onions so that they could grow straight," he explained. "The round one is meant for herbs like basil or coriander and has a small opening so that the cutting can fit easily without falling."

"Used vials are sent to a cleaning facility to be industrially cleaned and a vial that is considered too scratched can be sent back to the manufacturer to be melted down and used in the production of new vials."

Another project intent on repurposing waste comes from Gao Ziyu, who designed a fishbowl that doubles up as a watering can.

Reusable glass vials for pills can replace disposable blister packs, while glass tiles could replace the plastic used to insulate wires.

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As food packaging is a major contributor to the plastic waste crisis, various projects proposed more sustainable alternatives.

"Glass has two main selling points in a cyclical system: its longevity and its recyclability," said Lund University student Riccardo Centazzo."It is an impermeable material with high corrosion and temperature resistance that can also be exceptionally hard."

He added: "It can be produced using widely available resources, melted down and endlessly re-formed to make new products without a substantial loss of material or quality."

The authors stated that the carbon contents of the three groups studied showed little difference as can be seen in Table 3, but the oxygen content was found to increase with the increase in sintering temperature. Because TA1 has a high affinity for carbon and oxygen elements, the impact of the distribution and forms of carbon and oxygen elements on the final properties was also analysed.

Circularity, which involves eliminating waste and pollution while sustaining natural systems, was a big topic at Stockholm's Furniture & Light Fair. The award for best standing going to Note Design Studio's re-usable design for furniture brand Vestre.

A quarterly newsletter rounding up a selection of recently launched products by designers and studios, published on Dezeen Showroom.

"I'm hoping that, by making the vases elegant and decorative, it will make users feel more comfortable with growing plants that aren’t typically perceived to be beautiful."

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