I apologize for the delay in my blog post, I did not realize we needed to do one this week. Last week, we got to learn from Xin Xin about a presentation on bioplastics. I was very excited because I got to learn about something that I did not have much knowledge on, which was the idea that there are alternative things to plastics. In particular, bioplastics can be made at home by common people like me at home with very natural ingredients.
Last week, we joined Xin Xin in a presentation/workshop that I really did not know much about, so I got to learn a lot about the topic of bioplastics. Initially, we got to talk a bit about the history of war and biochemistry and how it has led to the world that we live in today. I got to learn about Bioplastics and how they’re a substance derived from plants rather than petroleum. This idea was very new to me and it made me think about our lives in today’s world.
This week, under the guidance of Xin Xin, we did a bioplastic workshop together and I really enjoyed the process. Compared with the indigo dyeing workshop two weeks ago, this workshop is even more interesting to me, as we were actually “cooking” out the bioplastics by ourselves. The informative lecture given by Dr. Ggimzewski last week introduced bioplastics as an alternative solution to the fuel made plastics. The bioplastics are made from starch and scientists use sorbitol and glycerin to plasticizes the starch into a plastic.
During this week’s bioplastic workshop, I found the superimposition of materials from nature, one type unmodified and the other slightly modified, very interesting. It brings up a sense of metaphorical harmony that we seek when we try to change or simplify certain practices for the sake of environmentalism.
Last week's class session was incredibly informative, interesting, and fun -- not only did we learn a great deal about plastics and bioplastics themselves, but we actually had the opportunity to create our own artworks out of this alternative resource. Honestly, I had never even heard of the term "bioplastic" before last week, and didn't even know such a thing existed, much less the wide array of forms and types in which it can come, from corn starch-based materials to gelatin-dominant media.
This week's discussion was lead by Xin Xin who showed us how we may create our own plastics using simple ingredients found at the local grocery store. Xin xin's presentation showed the various types of polymers used around the world using almost any kind of bodily fluid from milk to blood. What I found most striking was France's development of blood plastics. It is known as Bois durci, which translates to hardened wood.
As we continue discussing plastics, a question that still lingers for me is that of single use products. The lecture from Week 4 taught us about the history of plastic and the great advancements. However, the successes of plastic are now being overshadowed by the severe ecological effects of plastic pollution. The newer approach now to plastic products are creating more eco-friendly items from “bio-plastics”.
Last week during our seminar, the guest speaker Xin Xin gave us a presentation on bioplastic as an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastics produced from fossil fuels. We also talked about various specific bioplastics and their characteristics and uses through time. I was particularly, excited to hear about PLA (Polylactic acid) which is a type of a bio-degradable and bio-based plastic.
This week we learned about bioplastics and created some DIY art with them. Before this lecture, I was under the impression that bioplastics were much better for the environment and were 100% degradable. However after further research, I have found that this is not necessarily the case.
Last week’s bioplastic workshop provided by Xin Xin was informative and entertaining. I was unaware of the flexibility in bioplastic to be produced by practically anything around us. The abundance of biomass that can be used in the creation of bioplastic was alarming, yet also unusually reassuring. When I investigated further the difference in production costs between plastic and bioplastics, I lost much of the reassurance Xin Xin’s workshop provided.
Last week, the guest speaker XinXin gave us a lecture about bioplastic, and how to make bioplastic from the gelatin and milk. During the workshop, we went out to find materials around campus to make our own bioplastic. It impressed me that we can make edible plastic by ourselves which has no harm to the environment. And it is so magical that we can make this ecofriendly plastic from many ordinary and familiar materials in our life.
In week 5 we learned a lot from XinXin as her presenting the way to make a bioplastic from almost everything that we can get our hands on from the nature, mixing with the gelatin to make a plastic that is ecofriendly. The mixing gelatin is even edible in the sense that it is also used to make puddings. Even though I understand the benefit we can gain from the use of bio-plastic, I am still wondering if it will help or not. After researching through the Internet, however, I came to figure that every coin has two sides and it is the same for bioplastic as well.
Coming from the State of Indiana, the move to California implied that I would become acquainted with a new, different enclave of laws, regulations and ideologies. Such phenomena are apparent in my everyday life, such as the Proposition 65 signs that live in my apartment building, the coffee shops I enjoy, and most other places.
This past Thursday, we were able to participate in an exciting and engaging bioplastics workshop. During this workshop, we were able to create our own bioplastic with bits and bobs we found around campus. Prior to this workshop, I had no idea bioplastics even existed, and I was surprised with how many different ingredients can be used to make bioplastic. I was under the impression that all plastics are deleterious to the environment.
This week’s class was very collaborative, engaging, and eventful. Xin Xin’s bioplastics workshop was not only very informative, but it was also out of the ordinary as it got us up and moving and thinking creatively. In groups, we were able to come up with ideas about innovative solutions and alternatives to the use of plastic and find outside items to contribute to making bioplastics. After listening to Dr.