ORAL DEFENSE

BY:
BY: BRIDGETTE
BRIDGETTE CASTRONOVO
CASTRONOVO
IDEATION

 Engineering goal: To improve

standardization, durability, and
aesthetic appeal of our original
design.
IDEATION

 I observed the vast over consumption

of non-biodegradable plastic waste
and its impact on climate change and
searched for areas within this niche
that I could improve upon.
IDEATION

 My literature review explored a

plethora of scientific studies
conducted by various researchers as
they pertained to the relationship
between cellulose and chitosan.
 I also conferenced with a leading
agricultural engineer who provided
us with feedback.
 I will...
 Start searching for ideas over the summer rather than
after the start of school.
IDEATION  Talk to a wider variety of people about products that
would improve their lives.
 Keep a journal of problems that I come across
throughout the day and brainstorm solutions.
RESEARCH

 Purpose: Chitosan applied as coating to improve barrier properties of paper.

 Methods: Test different process conditions and analyze using scanning methods.

 Results: Chitosan filled the pores of paper and improved barrier properties.

 Useful to me: Ideas about test methods – concentration, speed, pH. 

 Wang, S., & Jing, Y. (2016, February). Effects of a Chitosan Coating Layer on the Surface Properties
and Barrier Properties of Kraft Paper. BioResources, 11(1), 1868-1881. doi:10.15376/biores.11.1.1868-1881
  The literature review helped me gain the necessary
information regarding cellulose and chitosan to
RESEARCH: LIT experiment with different chemical ratios of these
REVIEW chemicals to increase the durability of the straw.
 It also made sure I had a scientific body of research from
which to pull information as I was working on the project.
RESEARCH: FUTURE CHANGES

1 2 3
Be sure of my topic Choose an area within Complete the lit
before completing the my topic that has a review earlier so that I
literature review. large body of have all of the
research. necessary research
when I try to plan my
product or research
experiment.
 I conducted five experiments to collect data on design
changes.
PROCEDURE 1. Experiment one tested straws coated with various
concentrations of chitosan coating to see what
combination yielded the most durable product.
2. Experiment two was a digital microscopy study that
illustrated the findings in trial one.
3. Experiment three tests a change in blending speed
form 20 seconds to 45 seconds.
4. Experiment four tested the uniformity of the
distribution of cellulose fibers on a single sheet.
5. Experiment five resulted in various colors of straws.
 I had difficulty perfoming the
weight percent ratio
calculations.

PROCEDURE: It was challenging to come up

CHALLENGES with ways to improve the
durability of the straws.

It took careful consideration to

choose which tests to focus on.
PROCEDURE

 Next year I plan to...

 Do the work periodically rather than in response to specific deadlines.

 Consider keeping a journal of different ideas that I come up with even if they are not
detailed.
 Do the challenging parts of the procedure as early as possible so that if something goes
wrong, I have time to fix it.
  I wrote one lit review on a topic with which I didn’t
continue.

PAPERWORK  I struggled with trying to find enough articles at

first because I didn't choose a large enough topic.
LIT REVIEW
 I struggled with getting it completed on time.
  I didn't experience significant challenges with completing
my GSEF paperwork after finalizing my idea.
GSEF
 I did however have various ideas shut down during the
PAPERWORK
procedure stage which caused me to have to submit
multiple drafts of forms.
PAPERWORK: RESEARCH JOURNAL

 While there were no significant problems with my research journal, I experienced minor
setbacks.
 I didn't record as much information in my journal as I could have in terms of ideas that I came up
with.
 I also struggled with keeping daily entries; instead, I completed lots of entries all at one time.
PAPERWORK: POSTER

 My major problem with the trifold poster was getting it printed on time.

 I had three different posters that were all different sizes, so I had to print three separate posters
and get them pasted on the trifold board three times which was a time commitment.
 I struggled with resizing the board to the correct size in between changes.
  My suggestions for the upcoming freshmen are to...

 Gather ideas as early as you can. 

 Seek the opinions of teachers and other

professionals before you begin.
 Set deadlines for yourself to help you space out the
workload.
PAPERWORK:  Attend as many competitions as you can because
judging is selective, and you never know who you
will impress!
 #FAIL FOR SUCCESS
SCIENCE FAIR

 My project was successful in improving upon our design from last year in terms of durability, standardization of metrics,
and aesthetic appeal.
 Increasing the concentration of chitosan increased the durability of straw in water consistently in both wet and dry
applications. 
 The solution containing 5 wt% chitosan performed the best. 

 Applying the chitosan coating to a wet cellulose sheet produced a more durable straw than applying chitosan after the
cellulose base had dried.  
 Differences in the surface layer were observable using a microscope.  The 5 wt% chitosan concentration applied to wet
cellulose was smoothest and less variable. 
 Increasing blending time of the cellulose pulp during production improved durability of the straw. 

 The production methods were improved to increase thickness uniformity of the sheets. 

 Color can be successfully added during the pulp blending phase which results in a more appealing appearance. 
SCIENCE FAIR

 My Science Fair project was extremely successful as I placed...

 3rd in the Harrison High School science fair
 As one of the 1st place finishers in the Cobb-Paulding Regional Technology competition that advances to GSEF
 1st overall in the GT InVenture Prize State Final

 I greatly enjoyed competing in these competitions and receiving the recognition for all my hard
work.
 However, I was extremely stressed and overtired in the week leading up to the school science
fair which indicates that I need to use my time more wisely.