Measurement of the Longevity and Environmental Impact of Polymers

Introduction

The project being tested is the material our Health-Bot (H-Bot). My project is a small but compact pet shaped robot helper shaped like a cat, dog or bird in this first version. Its main uses are mental wellness checkups such as stress relief, and keeping track of symptoms that could encourage a user to seek proper psychological help. It will be personalized to the user as well as each person that has one by utilizing an extensive survey to guarantee the bot is helping you in the best way it can. This would also have some features to accommodate to physical disabilities or medical problems, like helping to get medical items or calling for an emergency line if you are alone and in need of help services. As a bonus, this bot is meant to last around 7-10 years at most, as well as being biodegradable.

 For this experiment, 3 different polymers will be tested. The first one is plastic. Plastic is a synthetic material that has become a ubiquitous part of our modern world. While plastic has many benefits, including its versatility, lightweight, and low cost, the environmental impact of plastic production and disposal is a growing concern. The second is latex. Latex is a natural material derived from the sap of rubber trees, and it is widely used in a variety of products, including gloves, condoms, balloons, and medical devices. While latex has many benefits, including its strength, elasticity, and biodegradability, the environmental impact of latex production and disposal is still a concern. And the third test subject is silicon. Rubber is a natural material derived from the sap of rubber trees or produced synthetically from petrochemicals. It is a widely used material in a variety of products, including tires, seals, gaskets, and industrial hoses. While rubber has many benefits, including its elasticity and resistance to wear and tear, the environmental impact of rubber production and disposal is a concern.

Procedure

Step 1: Take material and stretch as much as possible without breaking

Step 2: Burn material to determine melting point, burning point

Step 3: Assess the fumes that are released from material and test long term damage of fumes in the atmosphere for the next 10 years.

Step 4: document analysis

Step 5: Repeat with next material

Results

The first polymer tested was plastic. One of the major issues with plastic was its durability. Plastic is designed to last a long time, but this same property also means that it can persist in the environment for hundreds of years. Plastic waste can harm wildlife by entangling or suffocating animals, and it can also release toxic chemicals as it breaks down. Additionally, plastic waste can accumulate in the oceans, forming massive floating islands of garbage that harm marine life and disrupt ecosystems. The production of plastic also has a significant environmental impact. The extraction and processing of the raw materials used in plastic production, such as oil and natural gas, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution. The manufacturing process itself also releases pollutants into the air and water, which can harm human health and the environment.

The second polymer tested was latex. There are great environmental concerns associated with latex production. Rubber tree plantations can contribute to deforestation, and the processing of latex can release pollutants into the air and water. Additionally, the chemicals used in the manufacturing process can be harmful to workers and the environment. The disposal of latex products also has potential environmental impacts. While latex is biodegradable, it still takes time to break down, and the process can release methane, a potent greenhouse gas, in the meantime. Additionally, the disposal of latex products in landfills can lead to leaching of harmful chemicals into the soil and groundwater.

The third and last polymer tested was silicon. One of the main advantages of silicon was its durability.Silicon is a highly durable material that can withstand high temperatures and is resistant to wear and tear. It is a popular choice for electronic devices due to its ability to conduct electricity and its thermal stability. Silicon-based products such as solar panels can last for decades with minimal maintenance. The production of silicon can have negative environmental impacts. It requires a significant amount of energy and resources to extract and refine the material, which can lead to greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of pollution. The production of silicon also generates a large amount of waste and by-products, such as silicon tetrachloride, which can be toxic to the environment.

Conclusion

All three of these polymers were greatly durable in each test. However, all three of these pose great threats to the environment and would do much damage if the Health-bot was made with any of these materials. Therefore none of these materials can suffice and this experiment is a failure.