Michelle (UR) - From Fake Smiles to Bloody Scars: Current and Future Uses of Alginate

I am using my IRP to investigate alginate, and its possible use as a filter for microplastics. My scientific question is can water pass through alginate, and if so, is it a viable filter material?

Makeup mold

Dental mold

What is Known:
Alginate is a seaweed-derived substance that is used in biomedical applications, dental molds, and even as a food thickener. There are both paste and powder versions of alginate, and it can be mixed with different substances based on the desired consistency and properties. Makeup artists use alginate molds for special effects, while dentists use them for prosthetic teeth. In biomedical applications, it is used for a range of applications, from wound dressing to drug delivery.
Microplastics are tiny plastic fibers that are less than 5mm, or 1/5 of an inch. These are too small to be removed at wastewater treatment plants, and end up in the environment. Microplastics are a result of larger pieces of plastic that have degraded, or fibers that are manufactured that small. Manufactured microplastics include the fibers of synthetic clothing, which release over a thousand microfibers per wash.

Carolina Biological's Alginate Powder

Materials and Methods:
The materials that I will be using are alginate powder from Carolina Biological, distilled water to mix with the powder, lab dishes and beakers, and screens.

Example of filter backing

The first step will be to test the alginate for different consistencies and thicknesses. Each thickness will be tested for water permeability. This will be done by testing how much water passes through the filter in a predetermined length of time. The three thicknesses that allow the most water through in the fastest amount of time will be chosen for use as filters. These filters will be made using two screens each. The screens will be utilized to limit the amount of large particles from potentially contacting the alginate, as well as to help lower the amount of water pressure on the alginate. The screen will be backed in a crisscross shape, similar to an air filter. This shape will be used for additional strength and stability. Each filter will be tested for the amount of fibers that are collected, as well as the sizes of the particles. I intended to represent the results using two graphs.

This graph does not represent real data; only an example of anticipated results

This graph does not represent real data; only an example of anticipated results

The scatterplot will represent any possible correlation between the thickness of the alginate and the amount of water filtered. The water will be measured in mL per minute. The column graph will represent the amount of each size particle the filters collect.

What if it fails?
If water cannot pass through alginate, that would still be a good result. Instead of making a filter, I would concentrate on attempting to make environmentally friendly, truly disposable cups, plates, and utensils.


References:
Browne, M.A., Galloway, T.S., & Thompson, R.C. (2010). Spatial Patterns of Plastic Debris along Estuarine Shorelines. Environmental Science & Technology, 44, 3404-3409. http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es903784e
Carolina Biological (n.d.) Sodium Alginate. https://www.carolina.com/catalog/detail.jsp?prodId=888171&s_cid=ppc_gl_products&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&scid=scplp888171&sc_intid=888171&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2Y_UBRCGARIsALglqQ2Bu4Bw1zd8nrqxnT5xou9IrHOx9ih5FaQZzmbajqxVMToyvWVA31EaAosqEALw_wcB
EnvironMolds, LLC. (n.d) The Many Uses of Alginates. https://www.artmolds.com/alginate-uses
Instructables. Alginate mold photo. https://cdn.instructables.com/FLA/03U5/H0OIZSUN/FLA03U5H0OIZSUN.LARGE.jpg
Lee, K.Y., & Mooney, D.J. (2012). Alginate: properties and biomedical applications. Progress in Polymer Science, 37(1), 106-126. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2011.06.003
Nandini, V.V., Venkatesh, K.V., & Nair, K.C. (2008). Alginate impressions: A practical perspective. Journal of Conservative Dentistry: JCD, 11(1), 37-41. http://doi.org/10.4103/0972-0707.43416
Stan Winston School. Alginate dental mold photo. https://www.stanwinstonschool.com/ckeditor_assets/pictures/1103/content_mark-viniello-cynthia-garza-molding-casting-prosthetic-fake-teeth-tutorial-mini-lesson-009.jpg?1357935904
Yang, Y., Rodriguez-Jorquera, I.A., McGuire, M., & Toor, G.S. (2015). Contaminants in the Urban Environment: Microplastics. EDIS Publications. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ss649