Research proposal

• Hypothesis and statement of problem

• **Problem Statement:**

Plastic pollution is a growing environmental concern, and current bioplastics often

lack the strength and antimicrobial properties needed for practical applications, such
as food packaging or medical supplies.

• **Hypothesis:**

A biodegradable plastic made from biochar, calcium carbonate, and natural

antimicrobial agents will be stronger and more environmentally friendly than
traditional plastics, with added antimicrobial benefits.

Purpose of the Project / Rationale

• Explain the aim / reason for investigating your research project or why you have

Selected to test this hypothesis

**Reason for Investigating:**

Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the environment, with millions of tons of
plastic waste ending up in landfills and oceans each year. Conventional plastics are
derived from fossil fuels, are not biodegradable, and contribute to environmental
degradation. While bioplastics provide a more sustainable option, they often lack the
strength and functional properties needed for broad applications. There is also a
growing need for materials that prevent bacterial contamination, especially in food
packaging and healthcare.

**Why Test This Hypothesis:**

We chose to test this hypothesis because integrating biochar and calcium carbonate
into a biopolymer matrix, along with natural antimicrobial agents, has the potential to
create a new type of bioplastic with multiple benefits: it is biodegradable, has
enhanced strength, and provides antimicrobial properties. This approach could help
address the limitations of current bioplastics, reduce plastic waste, and offer new
opportunities for safer, more sustainable materials in various industries. Testing this
hypothesis will provide valuable insights into whether this combination of materials
can achieve these desired properties.

• Novelty / Originality

• How is your proposed research project different from existing work already done in

This field

**Novelty / Originality:**

This project uniquely combines biochar, calcium carbonate, and natural antimicrobial
agents in one bioplastic to enhance strength, rigidity, and bacterial resistance.

**Difference from Existing Work:**

Unlike most bioplastics that address only one feature at a time, this approach
integrates all three benefits—strength, durability, and antimicrobial properties—using
eco-friendly materials.

Methods of Research / Experimentation

Explain how you plan to research your topic, do actual experiment in the laboratory.

Summarize procedures, emphasizing the key points or steps:

• What methods will you use, explain with detailed summarization of the key steps.

• What resources will be needed?

• Only include work to be done actually by the student. Work done by a Teacher or
Mentor Cannot be included. Teacher or any other Mentor can only guide and supervise
when

Required.

*Methods of Research / Experimentation**

**1. Material Preparation:**

- **Biochar:** Obtain from suppliers or produce from organic waste.

- **Calcium Carbonate:** Extract from crushed eggshells.

**2. Bioplastic Formulation:**

- **Obtain Bioplastic:** Use pre-made bioplastic samples.

- **Mix Fillers:** Combine biochar and calcium carbonate (from eggshells) with the
bioplastic.

**3. Add Antimicrobial Agents:**

- **Incorporate Agents:** Add natural antimicrobial agents (like essential oils) to

the bioplastic mix.

**4. Casting and Curing:**

**Mold and Dry:** Pour mixture into molds and air dry or use a low-temperature oven.

**5. Testing and Analysis:**

- **Evaluate Properties:** Test for mechanical strength, flexibility, and antimicrobial

effectiveness.

- **Assess Biodegradability:** Check how the bioplastic decomposes in soil or

compost.

**Resources Needed:*

**Materials:** Bioplastic samples, biochar, crushed eggshells, antimicrobial agents

starch , glycerol and distilled water.

- **Equipment:** Mixing tools, molds, drying oven, testing apparatus.

• Risk Assessment / Safety

Identify any potential risks involved in conducting this experiment and list all the
safety Or Precautions needed.

**Risk Assessment / Safety**

*Potential Risks:**

1. **Dust Inhalation:** From biochar and crushed eggshells.

2. **Chemical Exposure:** From antimicrobial agents.

3. **Heat Burns:** From drying or curing.

**Safety Precautions:**

1. **Wear PPE:** Goggles, mask, gloves.

2. **Ventilation:** Work in a well-ventilated area.

3. **Handle Carefully:** Follow chemical safety instructions and use heat-resistant

gloves.

4. **Clean Up:** Promptly clean spills and dispose of waste safely.

Data / Observations / Expected Outcomes

• Explain what data you will need to collect and how you will analyze it to obtain your

Results. Include:

O. What data will you collect?

O. How will you analyze your data?

O. What results do you expect?

O. Discuss the anticipated results and provide an understanding / explanation for

Them

### **Data / Observations / Expected Outcomes**

**Data to Collect:**

1. **Mechanical Properties:**

- Tensile strength, flexibility, impact resistance.

2. **Antimicrobial Effectiveness:**

- Bacterial inhibition zones or growth reduction.

3. **Biodegradability:**

- Degradation rate in soil or compost.

**Expected Results:**

1. **Mechanical Properties:**

- The bioplastic should be stronger and more flexible than standard bioplastics.

2. **Antimicrobial Effectiveness:**

- Significant reduction in bacterial growth or clear inhibition zones.

3. **Biodegradability:**

- Faster degradation compared to conventional plastics.

**Anticipated Results:**

- **Enhanced Strength and Flexibility:** Due to the combination of biochar and

calcium carbonate.

- **Effective Antimicrobial Activity:** Expected from natural antimicrobial agents.

- **Improved Biodegradability:** Faster breakdown due to plant-based materials.

Conclusions / Applications / Future Scope

• State the conclusions or applications you hope to obtain from your anticipated

Results. What is the impact of your work e.g. how does it benefit the environment /

Society? Link the conclusions to the initial aims and purpose of your project

**Conclusions / Applications / Future Scope**

**Conclusions:**.

**Enhanced Performance:** If the bioplastic shows improved strength, flexibility, and

antimicrobial activity, it will validate the effectiveness of combining biochar, calcium
carbonate, and natural antimicrobial agents.
1. **Environmental Benefits:** Faster biodegradability and the use of eco-friendly
materials will reduce plastic waste and pollution, contributing to a cleaner
environment.

**Applications:**

1. **Packaging:** The bioplastic can be used in food and product packaging,

offering a sustainable alternative that prevents bacterial contamination and
reduces environmental impact.
2. **Medical Supplies:** It could be applied in healthcare settings for items
requiring antimicrobial properties and biodegradability.

*Impact:**

- **Environmental:** Reducing reliance on conventional plastics and promoting waste

valorization.

- **Societal:** Enhancing safety and sustainability in everyday products, benefiting

both consumers and the environment.

**Future Scope:**

1. **Further Testing:** Explore additional antimicrobial agents and refine the

bioplastic formulation for various applications.

2. **Scaling Up:** Investigate the feasibility of large-scale production and market

integration.

3. **Additional Features:** Research ways to improve other properties such as

thermal resistance or UV stability.

. Anaya Sarrosh

Hmna. Ali Khan

Class EM3