Exploring Materiality:

The Eggshell Project

For a 3-week open-started and open-ended project, I was given the freedom to choose a specific object, material, or user as my focus. I decided to challenge myself by starting with materiality—exploring nature and the inherent features of materials in a way that is often overlooked by many designers. I sought inspiration from a surprising and underutilized resource: eggshells.

Why Eggshells?

According to the US Department of Agriculture, approximately 455,000 tons (412,769 tonnes) of eggshells are discarded annually in the United States. This waste typically ends up in landfills, but eggshells have untapped potential. Composed of 94% calcium carbonate, eggshells are not only a nutritious source of minerals but also possess qualities that make them valuable in various industries. By focusing on eggshells, I aimed to turn waste into a resource that benefits both the economy and the environment.

Experimentation with Moisture Absorption

Intrigued by the moisture-absorbing potential of eggshells, I conducted a brief experiment to assess their effectiveness by considering different particle sizes of eggshell powder (coarse, semi-fine, and finest). The results were promising, confirming that eggshells, with the best absorption of the finest size of particle, could indeed absorb moisture efficiently.

Material Exploration

Through my exploration, I discovered that eggshells exhibit several desirable properties, such as porosity and water absorption, which can help mitigate moisture-related issues in humid environments. Additionally, eggshells offer other significant features:

  • Strong hardness

  • Density control

  • Cost-effectiveness

  • Sustainability

  • Biodegradability

These properties open up potential applications across multiple industries, including soil amendment, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, construction, and food production.

Coarse Particles

Semi-fine Particles

Fine Particles

OVME

Designing

The Eggshell Moisture Absorber

Plantme

&

The Sustainable Seed Starter Pot

Inspired by my findings, I decided to design two products: OVME and PlantMe. OVME is a moisture absorber intended for spaces where humidity is undesirable, such as refrigerators. My concept involved creating a solid volume entirely composed of eggshell powder, bonded together while retaining enough porosity to absorb moisture effectively.

In parallel, I also developed PlantMe, a sustainable seed starter pot made entirely of reclaimed eggshells. PlantMe provides a gradual and consistent source of nutrients for plants as it dissolves into the soil, particularly benefiting plants like tomatoes that require calcium. Both OVME and PlantMe leverage the unique properties of eggshells, transforming waste into valuable, environmentally friendly products.

After considerable research and testing, I discovered the sintering manufacturing method, which became the key to my design. Sintering allowed me to bond the eggshell powder into a solid, porous object, preserving its moisture-absorbing properties..

Eggshell grains

Sintered eggshell grains

the challenge and solution

One of the greatest challenges was maintaining the porosity of the eggshell powder while forming a solid object. I conducted an experiment combining different binding agents such as water, starch, and baking soda with eggshells. Binding agents typically diminish porosity, which is essential for the moisture absorption function.

This project was not just about creating a functional product; it was about pushing the boundaries of material exploration and sustainability. By transforming waste into a valuable resource, I aimed to contribute to a more sustainable future.