Bioplastic produced with coffee grounds wins science contest
A sustainable bioplastic, developed by Portuguese students using coffee, dried leaves, acorns and lupine barks, was the winning project of the 12th National Science Show.
Through the project “Bioplastic gives you life!”, created by students of the Secondary School Júlio Dinis, in Ovar (Portugal), is intended to combat food waste, also using surplus cooked rice – from the restoration – and the proliferation of invasive plants (such as acacia), whose seeds can be incorporated into the bioplastic.
12th National Science Show brought together 289 young scientists
The results obtained were:
«very satisfactory, since we were able to produce most of the bioplastics, the rice starch being detached, revealing characteristics of resistance and elasticity,» said the group responsible for the project, reported in a communication released by the Youth Foundation (entity promoting the National Science Show).
«We have also carried out biodegradation tests and found that rice starch is biodegradable, which is a big advantage over normal plastic, which is very harmful to the environment,» added the team, which was awarded a prize of € 1,250.
The contest
The 12th National Science Show brought together 289 young scientists and 66 professors from 44 educational institutions, who presented 109 projects developed in the fields of land and environment, social sciences, computing, biology, chemistry, economics, mathematics, engineering, physics and energy.
The winners will take part in the European final of the European Young Scientists Competition (EUCYS), from 14 to 19 September 2018 in Dublin, Ireland, and the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) from 12 to 17 May 2019 in Phoenix (United States).
In addition, winners will be at the China Adolescents Science and Technology Innovation Contest (CASTIC), from August 14 to 20, 2018 in Chongqing, China, and Zientzia Azoka in April 2019 in the Basque Country.
Amazing what the future holds for bioplastics, right? Coffee being there makes it even more amazing! What do you think? Tell us in the comments below.
