Virtual Booth

Plastic pollution and the ubiquity of petroleum-derived polymers have created persistent environmental reservoirs of microplastics and synthetic debris that bioaccumulate through aquatic food webs and degrade ecosystem services. Concurrently, the early-childhood sector remains dominated by non-biodegradable play materials that offer limited sensory richness and fail to model circular-economy principles for caregivers and classrooms. However, there is a striking absence of child-safe play products that simultaneously (a) employ rigorously sourced, food-grade biopolymers, (b) provide a dynamic, hands-on molding experience appropriate for toddlers, and (c) demonstrate verifiable end-of-life biodegradation without hazardous residues. This project introduces ALGEBRIK, a formulated, algae-derived DIY molding system that converts a pourable algal biogel into cohesive, malleable play elements on demand, enabling strands, cast shapes, and tactile forms in a single kit. Through controlled ionic curing with a benign activator and tuned plasticization, ALGEBRIK’s material chemistry balances shear-thinning pourability, rapid surface set, and a hydrated, elastic network that retains shape under play forces yet yields to gentle deformation; formulation variables (polymer concentration, plasticizer fraction, and curing dwell time) were optimized to maximize tactile appeal, structural integrity, and process repeatability. Prototype evaluation demonstrates consistent moldability, reproducible texture across batches, robust shape retention during typical toddler handling, and rapid biodegradation under standard composting condition, supporting ALGEBRIK as a pedagogical, low-impact alternative to conventional toy plastics and a practical model for community-scale biomaterial reuse.