Audrey Wilson
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Wei Lu
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Mechanical Engineering / Engineering
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 6 – 4:40pm – 5:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors:
Presenter: 80
Abstract
This study was performed to produce a product that combines the uses of origami with hydrophobic qualities to construct a reusable, self-cleaning material. It is inexpensive, good for the environment, and can be used in multiple settings. Many of the materials people use today to clean up or hold numerous substances can only be used once. This product would be more sustainable allowing for multiple uses. This research combines two very different concepts: origami and hydrophobic qualities. After doing some literature search, the anticipated combination of using precise cutting to carve silicone into the desired pattern would be the most effective procedure. The expected material is a 1/16 inch thick sheet of silicone, which is hydrophobic, to help create this self-cleaning quality. This sheet of silicone will be cut, using a digital cutter, into a pattern that holds onto certain substances. Origami will allow the sheet to be stretched and then folded back into its original state. When the product is in its resting state, it will have the ability to absorb substances. Then, when the substances are no longer wanted or needed, one can stretch the product making it clean and reusable. Various patterns, materials, and thicknesses can change based on the observations collected during testing. Since this project has not been conducted for very long, there are no current results. The expected results would be that the product picks up desired substances and then later stretched into a self-cleaning state that allows for the reuse of the material. If this was the final result, then the material would reach the project’s goals. This research would provide many communities with a sustainable and reusable material that can be used in various situations. It can be used all over the world and provide an inexpensive and environmentally friendly alternative for the more common products we use today.
Engineering, Interdisciplinary
