We conducted research on plastic pollution, which has become one of the most important problems of our time. We learned about the damage it causes to people, animals and plants. Then we developed solutions to this problem.One of these suggestions, we decided to make products with bioplastics that will save them from plastic wastes that degrade rapidly in nature and do not pollute the environment. For this purpose, we made plastics from milk casein. We have experimented to reduce odour and ensure durability. They made 3D prints of toy designs in order to get rid of plastic pollution and save children from microplastics with the mechanism we decided on last.
STEAM in activities:
In our study, new biodegradable toys were produced by using the engineering design cycle by utilizing the fields of
-biology,
-chemistry,
-materials engineering,
-art,
-mathematics.
Seeds have been added to some toys and if they are thrown away, the environment will bloom.
Age range of students:11-17
Today, 3D printers have become quite common and even entered our homes for hobby purposes. ABS and PLA filaments are often used when producing in 3D printers. In 3D printers that have become so widespread, there are many particles released by the melted filament during production. According to research reports, particles emitted into the environment during 3D printing production create a carcinogenic effect in long-term contacts.
According to the research published by the American Medical Association, aerosol gases produced during 3D production can cause lung cancer and heart attack. Styrene, Caprolactam and lactic release are significant. In addition, since 3D products have pores on the surface due to the method, the probability of containing microbes is quite high.
PLA cannot be fully decomposed in nature. In this study, it was tried to produce protein plastic that can be used instead of PLA. For this purpose, casein protein in milk was precipitated. The acid type to be used during the study was determined as acetic acid (5% apple cider vinegar), milk/acid ratio 10/1 and production temperature 70°C as optimum values. It has been determined that milk plastic dissolves in organic solvents, but a waterproof film is formed after interaction with ammonia. In order to overcome the shortcomings of mold-prone milk plastic, it has been determined that 75% alcohol spraying can achieve the best anti-corrosion effect. Compressive strength properties were observed by adding various additives to the produced milk plastic. It has been observed that milk plastic is suitable to be used without heating instead of PLA used in 3D production.
