CONDUCTIVE MEMBRANES
Algae biopolymer · bioelectricity · living sonification · 2023–ongoing
Conductive Membranes is an ongoing research project investigating the bioelectric properties of algae-based biopolymers and their capacity to generate sound. Beginning with a simple question: Can algae conduct electricity? The work has expanded into a sustained exploration of ion transfer, moisture dynamics, and the translation of biological activity into audible form.
The research proposes living material as both instrument and author: the algae membrane is not a passive transducer but an active participant whose changing conductivity were shaped by humidity, temperature, and molecular composition, and this determines what is heard.
Origin
In the course of working with algae biopolymers since 2020, I discovered their conductive properties through material research. I acquired a conductivity sensor and tested samples directly, confirming that algae biopolymer membranes carry measurable electrical signals through ion transfer and moisture gradients. From there, I connected the material to a Playtron device to test sound output. It worked: the membrane’s bioelectric behaviour translated, in real time, into sound.
This double confirmation, conductivity verified, then sonification demonstrated, formed the core of the project. The question became: how to build a dedicated interface for this relationship between living material and sound?
Material research
Material experimentation has drawn on multiple biopolymer formulations, like alginate-based sheets, composite pastes, and foam structures, and working with carbon-based conductors integrated into biodegradable matrices. A key research reference is Koelle et al.’s 2022 paper Prototyping Soft Devices with Interactive Bioplastics, which demonstrated that DIY conductive bioplastics can achieve conductivity on par with commercially available carbon-based pastes — grounding the intuition that this material territory is genuinely viable for complex electrical applications.
Different formulations behave differently under electrical measurement: moisture content, thickness, and carbon concentration each alter the signal character. This variability is not a problem to be solved but the condition from which the work emerges, in fact each membrane is compositionally unique, and its conductivity profile is unrepeatable.
Timeline
2020 – ongoing
Sustained biomaterial research with algae, microorganisms, and biological patterns as artistic and investigative medium.
13 July 2023 – conductivity testvideo documentation
First direct measurement of bioelectric signal in algae biopolymer samples using a conductivity sensor. Confirmed that ion transfer and moisture dynamics produce measurable, stable electrical output.
4 December 2023 – first sonificationvideo documentation
First sound output test using a Playtron device with algae membrane samples. Bioelectric signal successfully translated to audio — the material’s own conductivity determining pitch, timbre, and dynamics in real time.
2023–2024 – material development
Experimental formulations across sheets, pastes, and composite structures. Research informed by Koelle et al. (UIST 2022). Technical collaboration initiated with Rico Graupner for signal acquisition and interface development.
2025 – ongoing
Independent continuation of material research. New formulations, new substrates, new directions for the sonification apparatus.
Technical collaboration
Note on collaboration
Between 2023 and 2024, I worked with electronics artist Rico Graupner on a signal acquisition and sonification interface for the algae membranes. The conceptual direction, material research, and initiation of the project are mine. The collaboration has concluded; the material research and its ongoing development continue independently.
Continuing directions
Current research focuses on developing new membrane formulations with more stable and varied conductivity profiles, and on building a compact, dedicated device for real-time sonification in installation and performance contexts. The goal is an instrument whose voice is entirely determined by the biology of its material, grown, not programmed.
Reference
Koelle, M., Nicolae, M., Nittala, A. S., Teyssier, M., & Steimle, J. (2022). Prototyping Soft Devices with Interactive Bioplastics. In Proceedings of the 35th Annual ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST ’22). doi:10.1145/3526113.3545623
Materials
Algae polymer, graphite powder, carbon powder, electronics
Credits
Valeria Solari Concept, material research, bioelectric experimentation, and artistic direction.
Rico Graupner Technical development of signal acquisition interface and electronics architecture (2023–2024).
