Brooklyn-based designer Jessica Thies has developed a concept for a shoe that is printed with ink containing living algae capable of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The project called Synthiesis is based on Thies' research into engineered living materials that she believes could help the fashion industry reduce its environmental impact.
Thies' shoes are constructed from a hemp fabric that is printed with a bio-based ink to which the designer added micro-algae cells. The process helps form the shape and structure of the shoe by producing an effect similar to smocking.
Jessica Thies has developed a shoe concept that could help the fashion industry reduce its environmental impact
The addition of the algae to the printing ink transforms the shoes into what the designer called "active objects" as they act like living organisms. "The benefit of adding living microalgae is they can photosynthesise to absorb carbon dioxide and could potentially be able to self-clean," Thies told Dezeen.
To support the organisms the shoes would be fed nutrients and oxygen-producing cyanobacteria using a hydroponics system similar to those developed to irrigate plants.

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Her research shows that the algae can remain alive on the shoe for up to four weeks without the supplementary nutrients, but should last longer if maintained correctly. Once ...