Ampalaya Reseach (Gist)
Biodegradable Styrofoam Made from Milk and Clay
Objectives
- The researchers will intend to develop the Styrofoam-plastic out of mostly milk proteins and clay. The material is lightweight, sturdy and largely biodegradable. The researchers will make sure that the end result doesn’t smell like spoiled milk.
- Casein—milk proteins—is already used in making paper coatings and has an excellent barrier properties. But it has its limited mechanical strength and is water resistant. To make it more resilient and boosts its resistance to water, a small amount of clay is blended.
- When it comes to its durability, the result, based on the scientists, is a material that has all the same properties of polystyrene foam, but is 98 percent bio-based. At 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit), the milk-containing foam lets out a few drops of water. But the foam stays sturdy up to 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit). (news.discovery.com)
- In conclusion, the new material is strong enough to be used in commercial uses.
- In biodegradability, Styrofoam appears to last forever, as it is resistant to photolysis, or the breaking down of materials by protons originating from a light source. But in tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, close to a third of the Biodegradable Styrofoam broke down after about 45 days in industrial compost conditions. (news.discovery.com)
- The biggest environmental health concern associated with commercial polystyrene is the danger associated with Styrene, basic building block of polystyrene. It is used extensively in the manufacture of plastics, rubber, and resins. About 90,000 workers, including those who make boats, tubs and showers, are potentially exposed to styrene. Acute health effects are generally irritation of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal effects. Chronic exposure affects the central nervous system showing symptoms such as depression, headache, fatigue, and
Objectives
- The researchers will intend to develop the Styrofoam-plastic out of mostly milk proteins and clay. The material is lightweight, sturdy and largely biodegradable. The researchers will make sure that the end result doesn’t smell like spoiled milk.
- Casein—milk proteins—is already used in making paper coatings and has an excellent barrier properties. But it has its limited mechanical strength and is water resistant. To make it more resilient and boosts its resistance to water, a small amount of clay is blended.
- When it comes to its durability, the result, based on the scientists, is a material that has all the same properties of polystyrene foam, but is 98 percent bio-based. At 100 degrees Celsius (212 degrees Fahrenheit), the milk-containing foam lets out a few drops of water. But the foam stays sturdy up to 200 degrees Celsius (392 degrees Fahrenheit). (news.discovery.com)
- In conclusion, the new material is strong enough to be used in commercial uses.
- In biodegradability, Styrofoam appears to last forever, as it is resistant to photolysis, or the breaking down of materials by protons originating from a light source. But in tests conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, close to a third of the Biodegradable Styrofoam broke down after about 45 days in industrial compost conditions. (news.discovery.com)
- The biggest environmental health concern associated with commercial polystyrene is the danger associated with Styrene, basic building block of polystyrene. It is used extensively in the manufacture of plastics, rubber, and resins. About 90,000 workers, including those who make boats, tubs and showers, are potentially exposed to styrene. Acute health effects are generally irritation of the skin, eyes, and upper respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal effects. Chronic exposure affects the central nervous system showing symptoms such as depression, headache, fatigue, and