Project Overview
Microplastic generation from fabrics
Department(s)
Environmental Studies
Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
Microplastics can be generated as plastics age, degrade biologically, chemically, photochemically, or physically. In clothing, they are often generated with physical motion such as laundering and our movements. We can investigate how much our daily movements generate microplastics from different types of fabrics. These fabrics include different types of synthetic fabrics, recycled synthetic fabrics, and a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. We will create repeated motions such as rubbing, folding, and stretching to replicate human movements and quantify the microplastics generated.
Student Qualifications
Students without lab experience interested in science and the environment will fit well.
Number of Student Researchers
1 student
Project Length
8 weeks