Laser cutting machines are mesmerising to watch in operation. It is a computer-guided process – data is inputted and the machine runs its course – known as computer numerical control (CNC). One of the many advantages of CNC is the ability to produce extremely accurate parts to precise tolerances.

Acrylic – poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) – is ideally suited to laser cutting, scoring and engraving, because the heat of the laser produces a gloss finish. The scored lines appear to glow, an affect known as 'edge glow'. This is caused by light picked up on the surface of the sheet and transmitted out through the edges. The scoring acts like an edge and fluoresces in the same way, accentuated by the yellow tint.

Image: This pattern was designed by Ansel in Illustrator and scored (etched) using a CO2 laser. It is an adaptation of a similar design he produced for a streetwear collection by Vexed Generation.

A proud cyclist has customised their bike with fluorescent colours to make it more visible. The colour appears bright against the surroundings, because the surface is emitting light as a result of absorbing radiation.

Image: TU Delft, The Netherlands

There are many different types of disposable cutlery, and these are my favorite by far. Pressed from birch, they are light, cheap, biodegradable and much nicer to eat with than brittle polystyrene alternatives.

Birch (Betula species) is a relatively fast growing deciduous tree that can reach heights of around 30 m (100 ft). It grows across North America, Asia and Europe, and as such is relatively inexpensive. It is strong and durable, making it an ideal choice for this application (for many years it has been used in the production of toothpicks).

Birch is a light coloured timber and is almost tasteless, both qualities that are important for eating utensils. Alternatively, certain species of poplar (Populus species), commonly known as aspen, are used to make these types products.

These wooden products have clear 'eco' advantages over their plastic rivals: they are sourced from sustainable and renewable forests (in most cases), they are relatively small products and so can be formed from small pieces of material, which might be considered waste in other industries; and they are 100% biodegradable. However, this is still far from ideal. Even though biodegradable wooden cutlery is preferable to the many millions of plastic knives and forks landfilled each year, reusing cutlery is still the most sensible and sustainable option.

One industry's waste is another industry's raw material. These one tonne bales of scrap card are the by-product of cardboard box manufacturing. A single cardboard box production line may produce up to 4,000 boxes per hour. And while waste has been reduced to a minimum, offcuts are inevitable.

This may be waste material from one factory, but these bales of card are the raw material for another – paper pulp production. The card is shredded, pulped and moulded. At the end of its useful life the moulded pulp can be recycled once again, or composted (it's fully biodegradable).

Beads of water form on the surface of a leaf. This phenomena is commonly referred to as the 'lotus effect', due to the well-known self-cleaning properties of the Lotus plant. The beads roll off the surface of the leaf and take small particles of dirt with them.

The natural self-cleaning properties of the leaf are produced by a microscopically rough and super hydrophobic surface, which was discovered and patented by the botanist Wilhelm Barthlott. Nanotechnologies, including coatings, paints and other surface treatments, have been developed to mimic the lotus effect on clothes, products and buildings.

Textile designers and vehicle designers were brought together at the Institute of Materials (IoM) this week for a one-day workshop to explore the role of colour and materials for vehicles of the future.

There has been a burst of concept cars with smart and advanced technologies integrated into their inner fabric, such as Toyota's illuminating interior textile and Sheila Clarke's photoluminescent seat covers that glow in the dark. But what will be the colours and materials of the future? Typically, automotive purchases are quite conservative, because it is a large investment for many people. Even so, there are some exciting new material opportunities, such as light weight structural textiles, light emitting polymers and colour changing surfaces. Vehicles of the future will have many of the characteristics of current models. Opportunities for change include technologies that add convenience, such as self-cleaning surfaces; improved safety and comfort, such as materials that become rigid on impact and; lightness and increased fuel efficiency, such as structural textiles.

Image: Chemically coloured stainless steel

Last week I presented a range of conceptual materials and technologies as part of a project setup by Building Futures, the think tank of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The use of new materials and technologies will play a role in shaping our future surroundings. A major challenge is the integration of new materials, such as nanotech and composites, with our current surroundings and everyday products. They pose a major challenge for designers and engineers, as well as the rest of us that have to use and consume these less familiar technologies.

Nanotech is an exciting area of material development for designers. There are many examples of products and materials that harness the extreme properties of nanotech, such as self-cleaning surface coatings, super strong and super light composites, and colour-shifting finishes. The exciting potential of these new discoveries, such as carbon nanotubes, has yet to be fully explored in the design of our everyday surroundings. Recently, however, the use and applications of nanotech materials has been criticised, because the impact of these materials and substances on our health and environment is not yet fully understood.

Designers are familiar with proposing and designing many years ahead. New materials and technologies demonstrate a vision of what's around the corner. Whilst it is essential to take current knowledge and understanding into account, designers have another important role: to challenge the rest of us to see an otherwise unexpected future and choose to accept it as our destiny.

Image: Aerogel and Peter Tsou, JPL scientist, image courtesy of JPL/NASA

Polyethylene (PE) is an exceptional material. Not only is it used to make a wide range of commodity products, including plastic bags and drink cartons, it is used as a ballistic material by the US and UK military. It is suited to these applications because it has exceptional resistance to punching and tearing. Its properties are partly determined by its molecular weight.

In 1970s DSM developed Dyneema, which is classified as an ultra high density PE (UHDPE). As a drawn fibre or sheet it is up to 40% stronger than DuPont Kevlar and 15 times stronger than steel. As a result of its superior resistance to impact, laminated sheets up to 25 mm (1 in.) thick provide the protective lining for armoured military vehicles. Other high performance applications include parachute strings, ropes and bullet proof vests.

Image: PE milk cartons

As a designer, I am aware that it is important to strike a balance between inspirational materials and processes being developed in laboratories, and the fundamental materials and processes that make up the objects around us. Even so, many of the technologies now being used to produce consumer products, like computers and mobile phones, are becoming well-guarded secrets, giving brands their competitive edge.

My recently published book, Manufacturing Processes for Design Professionals, covers a wide range of innovative materials and manufacturing processes that are having an impact on the design industry. The plan for this blog is to build on the success of Mode of Production, an exhibition that I curated in London last September during London Design Festival.

I saw these composite plastic panels at the Surface Design Show in London this year. They are produced by Bencore, an Italian manufacturer, and demonstrate some of the most endearing qualities of plastic - they are bright, colourful and lustrous. Both the cylindrical core and tough outer sheets are polycarbonate (PC). An amorphous polymer (unorganised and non-crystalline molecular structure), PC has excellent clarity, is tough and resistant to impact. All of these qualities have contributed to the widespread application of PC in consumer products, furniture and the iconic Apple iMacs.

Other materials used by Bencore include styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and polyethylene terephthalate modified with glycol (PETG), all of which have excellent optical properties. I've seen these panels used in trade fair stands, shops, interiors and furniture. They look great backlit. There are many more types of plastic and composite panel and some interesting structural ones too (suitable for floors and wall), which I will talk about another time.

Image: Bencore composite panels