BioElectric by Jeongwon Ji

Royal College of Art graduate Jeongwon Ji is showing a collection of material samples made from crab shells at Show RCA 2013. Ji has developed the strong, anti-bacterial material in a range of colours, textures and thicknesses with the intention of using it as a new casing for appliances.

The bioplastic is made by extracting Chitin polymers from crushed Chinese Mitten crab shells. This is combined with small quantities of red agile and glycerine, then compressed in wooden moulds using water.

Ji's aim is to introduce more tactile materials to electronics. "Industrial processes have streamlined manufactured products," she says, "But what if we allow new materials to be expressive and tactile?"

Ji is part of RCA Design Products' Platform 17, headed by Ian Ferguson and Martin Postler, which focuses on consumer electronics.

Show RCA 2013 runs until 30 June. See all our student and graduate coverage here.