Applying technology to bio-painting

Team leader Nguyen Phuc Tan, a student majoring in high-tech agriculture at the Faculty of Applied Technology, said the product is made from recycled wood and bamboo, then planted with one or more plant species to create an artistic picture.

A group of students from Van Lang University are researching a unique bio-painting style that helps protect the environment.

"The team has five members from the Faculty of Applied Technology, Business Administration, and Environment. The project was launched in mid-March 2024. Alongside researching the artwork, the team is also brainstorming ideas, creating a business plan, and building several communication channels for the product," Tan said.

The group shared that this type of painting is suitable for placing on a desk, a low cabinet in the living room or bedroom, or hanging on a railing on a balcony or rooftop, etc.

The product not only serves a decorative purpose but also creates a fresh atmosphere, improves mental health, and even provides a continuous supply of clean food at home, depending on the needs and space of each family.

The research team is studying various types of bio-paintings that can be used both for decoration and as a source of healthy food for the family.

The bio-frame is recycled from old wood and bamboo.

According to member Du Tuan Lam, a business administration student, the group has two main product lines. Ready-made designs, ranging in size from 30x30 cm to 60x60 cm, are priced under 1 million VND. Custom-designed paintings, made to order, range in price from 1 to 10 million VND depending on size, materials, accompanying technology, and the type of plants grown inside the frame.

As an environmental science student, Nguyen Vu Huong Giang affirmed that through anti-moth and anti-mold treatment processes, the group has significantly "upgraded" the lifespan of the paintings. This helps increase the number of reuses and the usability of the paintings from 5 to 10 years.

Artists in several countries around the world , such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan, often use lower organisms like fungi, moss, and algae to create unique murals.

The team members come from the Faculty of Applied Technology, the Faculty of Business Administration, and the Faculty of Environment.

Dr. Vu Thi Quyen, Head of Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Applied Technology, Van Lang University, believes that bio-painting in Vietnam is still a relatively new concept and not widely known. Commercializing the product will certainly face many challenges.

"If the team applies additional technologies to the paintings, such as material modification technology to increase the lifespan of the frames, IoT technology to reduce the effort required for caring for and managing the botanical paintings, and simultaneously enhances communication and promotion, then this product line has the potential to be commercialized in the market," said Dr. Quyen.

The product's advantage is that it is largely made from recyclable and environmentally friendly organic materials, and does not use synthetic plastic planting pots.

After winning first prize in the "Setting Sail 2024" startup competition organized by Van Lang University, the team continued their research to refine the project and gradually commercialize the product.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/ung-dung-cong-nghe-vao-tranh-sinh-hoc-196240731092249507.htm