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experimental design

We have concluded that the most successful recipes and prototypes we made are the purple prototype (Stanford Recipe), or blue prototype (Brandon Sweeney).

We determined that the purple prototype would be best for making plates. We chose it because not only can it hold a lot of weight, but it is also very flexible and durable. It is also thin which allows it to weigh almost as much as a regular plastic plate.
To make this prototype, you will need cornstarch, cold water, glycerine and vinegar. 

We also discovered that the blue prototype is best for making bowls because it’s thicker than the purple prototype and easier to mold. It is a little less flexible than the purple prototype, but perfect for making a bowl. 

All of the recipes that we tried have been altered so that they fit our needs. For example, we multiplied them so that we would have enough. We also colored them in order to be able to differentiate between the prototypes.

Possible Solution

IMG_0663_edited

IMG_0663_edited

blue bioplastic

blue bioplastic

pink bioplastic

pink bioplastic

Recipes that we tried out

A WikiHow Contributor. “How to Make Bioplastic Easily.” WikiHow, www.wikihow.com/Make-Bioplastic-Easily.
Materials:
 

  • 10ml distilled water

  • 0.5-1.5g glycerol

  • ​1.5g cornstarch

  • 1 ml of white vinegar

  • ​1-2 drops of food coloring


Step 1: Combine all of the ingredients together and stir.
Step 2: Place pan on stove and set heat to medium-low. Remove mixture from heat when it becomes clear and think (about 10-15 mins).
Step 3: Pour mixture onto foil or parchment paper. Molding must be done while still warm. Remove any bubbles with a toothpick.
Step 4: Allow plastic to dry for at least two days


Sullivan, Delaney. “Making Bioplastics.” Stanford University, stanford.edu/~dsull/Making_Bioplastics.pdf

Materials:
 

  • 15 grams (1.5 tbsp.) of starch

  • 100 mL of water

  • 10 mL of glycerin

  • Hot plate (a stove will work as well)


Step 1: Add starch to beaker.
Step 2: Add water to beaker.
​Step 3: Add glycerin to beaker.
Step 4: Put beaker on hot plate and heat to medium-hot temperatures (~100 degrees Celsius)
Step 5: Stir until solution becomes thick and transparent.
Step 6: Pour solution onto aluminum foil or metal pan and let dry for a couple of days.


Sweeney, Brandon. “Make Your Own Bioplastic (Brandon's Remix).” Green Plastics, 18 June 2014, green-plastics.net/posts/10/video-brandon121233/.

Materials:

  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch (tapioca starch recommended)

  • 4 tablespoons of cold water

  • 1 teaspoon of glycerin

  • 1 teaspoon vinegar


Step 1: Add everything to pot
Step 2: Turn the heat to medium and begin stirring. Continue stirring and heating until mixture turns from cloudy white to clear. Starch should change from liquid to a goopy like gel.
Step 3: Turn the heat up a little and keep stirring rapidly until completely clear.
Step 4: Quickly pour plastic onto cooling sheet of your preference.
Step 5: Should dry in about a day (depending on humidity of air). Once dry, you can do whatever you want with it.

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