Novel

Basalt is an igneous rock, formed from erupted magma. When melted and extruded into fine fibers, basalt can be woven into textiles, turning stone into fabric. These textiles retain the stone's inherent properties, making the fiber mechanically strong and durable, fire and heat resistant, and stable in most biological and chemical environments. Since it is fully recyclable and requires no chemicals during production, basalt fiber is considered a sustainable material. Traditionally, basalt fibers are used to reinforce concrete or as rigid insulation in buildings and vehicles. Our goal was to explore basalt's potential in a more personal, product-focused context, guided by sustainability. We chose to utilize its thermal insulating properties, but instead of its usual rigid form, we embraced its softness. This led to the idea of a soft-shell alternative to traditional insulation. As a proof of concept, we designed a portable oven insulated with a basalt-based soft shell. The cover is a composite material consisting of twill-woven fabric on the outside and a layer of needle-felted fiber on the inside. This flexible layer makes the oven foldable, lightweight, and compact for easy transport, while the insulation can be detached for faster cooling and easier cleaning. This project rethinks the role of fiber materials by shifting from rigid, structural applications to soft, adaptable alternatives. Novel shows how robust materials like basalt can be transformed into flexible forms without sacrificing their core properties, opening up new possibilities for new product applications.