Names: Matt, Evan, Carson, John, Andrew, Ryan, Fernanda, Kyla
Readings: Sarki, J, et. al. "Potential of using coconut shell particle fillers in eco-composite materials. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2010.
Mau, Bruce. "Massive Change and the Institute without Boundaries." Phaidon.
Summary of Readings: Potential of using coconut shell particle fillers in eco-composite materials
This article discusses specifically the coconut and how research on coconut shell particles fillers based polymer composites. Basically, a coconut shell was ground up and studied. It was found that particles in coconuts can be used to improve eco-buildings. Coconut shells as a material can be beneficial in many different ways such as: renewable energy and material sources, lower pollution and greenhouse emission. The coconut shell as a material shows a tensile strength, however it was not very strong when impacted. It is definitely needs more exploration as a material, but has potential for the future.
Massive Change and the Institute without Boundaries
This article discusses how the hardness of materials can be compared to the hardness of a diamond. It also discusses the possibilities of mimicking materials that have the strength of spider silk and gecko feet. The article also explains how a materials lightness is important to consider when designing. There is also a section on biomimicry which lists certain animals that we should consider learning from such as chimpanzees eating habits, coral reefs type 1 ecosystem, and purple bacterias photosynthesis.
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| Image 1: Goat being used for spider silk |
Minutes of Seminar Discussion: The seminar group discussed the pros and cons of using coconut in wood composite material
-taking away from food supply
-renewal
-biodegradable
What benchmark material is against which hardness is graded?
-diamonds
They then discussed the ethics behind if it is ethical or not to use goats for silk
Electrical Skin?
-How could this material be useful?
-by helping endangered species
Sea-gel
-insulates against noise
-make a plane?
-house out of the material
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| Image 2: Coconut Shells |
Reflections: I personally believe that it is unethical to take goats and use them for silk. I believe that there must be different ways to obtain the same material without harming biodiversity. Once we start using living things for materials, the value of ethics start decreasing and it becomes harmful to our biodiversity. This topic needs more research and development before we use animals for certain material properties.
Image 1: "Scientists breed goats that produce spider silk" National Science Foundation. http://phys.org/news194539934.html accessed April 17, 2013
Image 2: "Coconut Shell Charcoal" Coconut Shell Charcoal. http://www.bakularangnusantara.com/Coconut_Charcoal/Cocount_Shell_Charcoal.html accessed April 17, 2013
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