{"id":2591,"date":"2026-02-18T15:37:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T15:37:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adrianibric.eu\/wp\/?p=2591"},"modified":"2026-02-24T18:36:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T18:36:19","slug":"from-silk-leaf-to-exhale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adrianibric.eu\/wp\/case-studies-eco-design\/from-silk-leaf-to-exhale\/","title":{"rendered":"From Silk Leaf to EXHALE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

“Bionic Chandelier (Exhale)” by Julian Melchiorri, image\/information source: Julian Melchiorri<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXHALE<\/strong> (also known as the Bionic Chandelier<\/strong>) is an evolution of the Silk Leaf<\/strong> technology developed by design engineer Julian Melchiorri.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Silk Leaf Roots:<\/strong> In 2014, Melchiorri created the “Silk Leaf,” the world’s first artificial biological leaf. This prototype stabilized chloroplasts extracted from plant cells within a silk protein matrix to allow them to photosynthesize\u2014absorbing CO2 and producing oxygen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Evolution:<\/strong> While the Silk Leaf successfully demonstrated that materials could photosynthesize, Melchiorri evolved the technology for EXHALE to use living microalgae<\/strong> (living micro-plants) instead of stabilized chloroplasts to ensure longevity and scalability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXHALE: The Bionic Chandelier<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXHALE is described as the world\u2019s first living “bionic chandelier”. It explores how biotechnology and engineering can be integrated into everyday objects to establish a symbiotic relationship between people and their environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Function:<\/strong> The chandelier functions as a natural air purification system<\/strong>. It consumes carbon dioxide (C<\/em>O<\/em>2\u200b) and releases breathable oxygen (O<\/em>2\u200b) while illuminating the space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Mechanism:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u25e6 Living Algae:<\/strong> The fixture contains living green microalgae<\/strong> housed within 70 glass leaf modules<\/strong> (petals).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u25e6 Photosynthesis:<\/strong> The algae are activated by a mix of daylight and LEDs<\/strong>, stimulating photosynthesis to purify the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u25e6 Life Support:<\/strong> The system is connected to a life-support device developed by engineers at Arborea<\/strong> (Melchiorri’s biochemical technology company) that drip-feeds nutrients to the microorganisms to maintain the ecosystem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Design & Aesthetics:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u25e6 The chandelier features a radial pattern inspired by natural plant shapes and the Victoria and Albert (V&A) Museum\u2019s<\/strong> Art Nouveau and Islamic Art collections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u25e6 It is constructed from tempered and formed stainless steel using a biomimetic approach of “form through function”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u25e6 The modular “petals” are arranged in three different sizes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Permanent Collection:<\/strong> EXHALE was acquired as part of the permanent collection at the V&A Museum<\/strong> in London.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Awards:<\/strong> The project won the 2017 Emerging Talent Medal<\/strong> and was displayed during the London Design Festival<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Go to project page<\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

“Bionic Chandelier (Exhale)” by Julian Melchiorri, image\/information source: Julian Melchiorri EXHALE (also known as the Bionic Chandelier) is an evolution of 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