The document proposes developing disposable cups and plates using rice fiber as a substitute for plastic disposable ware. It notes that plastic pollution takes a long time to degrade and contributes to greenhouse gases and damage to ecosystems. The project aims to test prototypes made from rice fiber for resistance to temperature, pH levels, and exposure to liquids like water, juice, and soda to determine if rice fiber can successfully substitute for plastic in disposable products.

1. Maria A. Rosa RISE Summer Program The rice fibre as a substitute for the disposable ware

2. The degradation of the disposable ware take a long time; creating pollution. Problem

3. Objectives Develop disposable cups and plates using the rice fibre as the base material. Determine the resistance of this new products in different temperature, pH and exposure to liquids(water, juice, soda).

4. Background Rice Contains thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorus, iron, potassium, carbon hydrates, vitamins, etc. Provides 20% of the world’s dietary energy supply. The outer layers of the grain are removed in the refining process.

5. Plastic ware pollution Causes damages to the central nervous system. Contributes to the greenhouse gasses Causes floods The 90% of the articles found at the sea beaches contain plastic Its degradation take about 500 years.

6. The use of rice fibre as disposable ware can help to decrease the pollution. Hypothesis

7. Methodology Phase I Develop the material Fermentation Distillation Elaborate prototypes from the new material

8. Phase II Test the resistance of the prototype k Temperature 60 ℉ to 400℉ For 5, 10 and 30 minutes pH Solutions with a pH between 2 and 8. For 5, 10 and 30 minutes Liquids For 5, 10 and 30 minutes Water Orange Juice Soda

9. Future Goals Develop disposable wares with the rice fibre. Determine if the cups are for cold or hot liquids. Substitute the plastic disposable ware for rice fibre disposable ware.