Research group of Universidad Europea — Creative Campus
Project · Internal project

EcoMat

Research into sustainable biomaterials: building a catalogue, a materials library and dissemination tools for ecological design.

Completed 2024 – 2025 Universidad Europea 2024/UEM12

EcoMat is a research project devoted to exploring new sustainable materials capable of replacing the plastics and polluting compounds we use every day. It grew out of mounting concern about the environmental impact of our production and consumption models, at a moment when creativity, science and technology can work together to imagine alternatives that treat the planet more kindly.

Working across science, art and design, EcoMat sets out to foster a symbiotic relationship between materials, people and nature, using design and experimentation as tools for rethinking emerging materialities — not merely as substitutes for conventional materials, but as catalysts for a harmonious, sustainable coexistence.

100+ Biomaterial samples catalogued and documented
2 Books published
10 Researchers on the team
8+ Papers at national and international conferences
R&D&I · Universidad Europea de Madrid

Objectives

Researcher working with bio-based materials in the laboratory

Develop and scale up 100 samples of bio-based materials (DIY).

Colour and texture palette of natural dyes and fillers on bio-based surfaces

Create a colour and texture palette based on natural dyes and fillers.

Data sheet documenting a biomaterial sample

Develop a system for recording and displaying biomaterials.

Modular wooden display unit for storing and exhibiting the samples

Design and build a modular display unit.

University students in a working session with biomaterials

Integrate the use of biomaterials into undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

Researchers

Team

Principal investigator
Esther Pizarro Juanas

Esther Pizarro Juanas

Principal investigator

Visual artist, researcher and professor at Universidad Europea de Madrid

Universidad Europea de Madrid

ORCIDWeb
Research team
Miguel Trigo Morán

Miguel Trigo Morán

Researcher

Lecturer and design researcher

Universidad Europea de Madrid

ORCIDLinkedInWeb
Miguel Ángel Rego Robles

Miguel Ángel Rego Robles

External collaborator

Artist, lecturer and researcher specialising in the relationship between art and neuroscience

Universidad Rey Juan Carlos

ORCIDWeb
Sally Gutiérrez Dewar

Sally Gutiérrez Dewar

External collaborator

Researcher, visual artist and lecturer

Universidad Europea de Madrid

Web
Kenneth Gómez

Kenneth Gómez

Researcher

Multidisciplinary designer

Universidad Europea de Madrid
Ángela Monje

Ángela Monje

Researcher

PhD in Architecture

Universidad Europea de Madrid

LinkedIn
Paloma Rodera

Paloma Rodera

Researcher
Isabel Marcos

Isabel Marcos

Principal investigator

Visual artist, researcher and educator

Universidad Europea de Madrid

ORCIDWeb
Julia González Pérez

Julia González Pérez

Student

Student
Uxue Moyano Martí

Uxue Moyano Martí

Student

Student
Two complementary approaches

Methodological framework

MT

Material Tinkering

Playing with the material

  1. Creative experimentation

    Free exploration and handling of materials with no specific application in mind, which can lead to unexpected discoveries and innovative solutions.

  2. Sensory learning

    Builds sensitivity to the sensory and expressive qualities of materials, allowing a deeper understanding of their potential.

  3. Continuous prototyping

    Constant creation of samples and prototypes, supporting an iterative process of developing and refining ideas.

MDD

Material Driven Design

Material-driven design

  1. Understanding the material

    Analysis of both the technical characteristics and the experiences the material can evoke in users.

  2. Creating a material experience vision

    Defining the experience the material is intended to offer.

  3. Manifesting material experience patterns

    Translating the vision into specific attributes and qualities of the material.

  4. Designing material and product concepts

    Developing products or applications that embody the vision and the defined patterns.

Diagram of the Material Driven Design process: four stages in a cycle
Applied to the project

EcoMat methodology

Diagram of the EcoMat methodology: three stages in a spiral — experimentation, documentation and selection

  1. Experimentation and testing

    Developing bases, dyes and treatments through free and systematic exploration of bio-based formulations.

  2. Documentation

    Visual and written records of formulations, techniques and properties on standardised bilingual data sheets with optical and sensory characterisation.

  3. Selection and scaling

    Producing 100 representative physical samples, selected for viability, formal interest and diversity of type.

Every biomaterial is an open question to design, science and nature.

6 categories · 100+ samples

The collection

Transparent, flexible biofilm made from natural biopolymers
Biosheets

Biosheets

Thin, flexible, semi-transparent films made from natural biopolymers such as gelatine, agar-agar or starch.

Light, porous biofoam made with biopolymers and biodegradable foaming agents
Biofoams

Biofoams

Very light, porous materials with insulating properties, made from natural biopolymers and biodegradable foaming agents.

Sample of hard, translucent bioresin
Bioresins

Bioresins

Hard, durable materials obtained from biologically sourced polymers, with potential for structural and decorative applications.

Thick, rigid biocomposite board with natural fibres and particles
Biocomposites

Biocomposites

A polymer matrix combined with a naturally sourced reinforcement. It allows thick, rigid boards suitable for three-dimensional applications.

Bio-based sodium alginate yarn suitable for conventional textile techniques
Biofibres

Biofibres

Yarns produced from biological materials, suitable for conventional textile techniques such as weaving, crochet, knitting or embroidery.

Flexible red bioleather made from plant waste without gelling agents
Bioleathers

Bioleathers

A material produced from plant waste without gelling agents. A sustainable alternative to animal leather: flexible and hard-wearing.

Physical and digital archive

The Materials Library

At the heart of the project is a physical and digital materials library: an archive bringing together more than a hundred carefully formulated, documented and classified samples. Each material comes with a bilingual data sheet covering its formulation, optical and sensory characteristics, processing techniques and visual record.

The library is housed in a modular display unit designed for storing, consulting and exhibiting the samples. Alongside the physical archive, EcoMat offers an open-access digital catalogue with formulations, production methods and resources for making biomaterials.

Project publications Fabrication manual Materials archive
Materials catalogue

The data sheets

EcoMat material data sheet — sample 1
EcoMat material data sheet — sample 2
EcoMat material data sheet — sample 3
Project result

Modular display unit

One tangible outcome of the EcoMat project is the design and construction of a modular display unit for storing, consulting and exhibiting the archive of samples and data sheets.

The unit organises the materials by type, adapts to different settings and can travel to conferences, educational institutions and cultural venues.

  • Modular, stackable design
  • Storage for data sheets and physical samples
  • Castors for easy transport
  • Labelling by base and material type
Expositor Modular EcoMat — vista exterior
Expositor Modular EcoMat — detalle
Expositor Modular EcoMat — detalle
Expositor Modular EcoMat — detalle
Knowledge transfer

Science dissemination

Research output

Resulting publications

Book

Journal article

Book chapter