Research Plan Template

Name(s): Ania Rab

Research Plan (to Accompany Form 1A)
A) Rationale
Include a brief synopsis of the background that supports your research problem and explain why this research is
important and if applicable, explain any societal impact of your research.
A big problem in the world is the build-up of plastic. Plastic is non-biodegradable, which makes it slow when it comes
to degrading. The chemical structure of most plastics also makes them resistant to the natural processes of
degradation. All these factors put together leads to plastic pollution, which affects land, waterways, and
oceans. When plastic is thrown into the ground it makes the soil less fertile and when it is thrown into water it chokes
ponds, rivers, oceans and harms sea life. UV lights are known for their sanitary uses. UV energy absorbed by plastics
can excite photons. Many pure plastics cannot absorb UV radiation but presence of catalyst residues or other
impurities act as receptors that cause degradation and only a small amount of catalyst residues are even needed. This
research is important because it can help find a way to speed up the degradation process thus decreasing plastic
pollution and all its effects. Having this product in homes would be beneficial because it also eliminate smells coming
from the recycling bin.
B) Research Question(s), Hypothesis(es), Engineering Goal(s), Expected
Outcomes.
How is this based on the rationale described above?
Research Question(s): How much faster is the degradation process with a UV light?
What wavelengths work best to speed up the degradation process? How do I effectively put a UV light in a recycling
bin and make it safe for society to use?
Hypothesis(es): If I make a recycling bin with a UV light attached to the lid powered by a solar panel or regular plug
outlet then the plastic will start the degradation process faster than a regular recycling bin, thus making the plastic
degrade faster and eventually decreasing plastic pollution.
Engineering Goal(s): My engineering goal is to build a recycling bin that has a UV light attached to it that can turn on
and off when necessary so that when the plastic is under the UV light it will prompt the degradation process.
Expected Outcomes: The expected outcome is to have a functional recycling bin with a UV light attached to the lid
that turns on when closed so that when the plastic is exposed to the light, it will jumpstart the degradation process.
Procedure(s)
Detail all procedures and experimental design including methods for data collection. Describe only your project. Do
not include work done by mentor or others.
Materials: 2 recycling bins/trash cans, UV light, plug for UV light, Solar panel, nails, drill, Plastic (water bottles, saran
wrap), strength scales
1. Obtain materials
2. Clean Recycling bins and make sure it is not dirty
3. Connect UV light to solar panel for its source of energy (if affordable, if not just attach UV light regularly and
plug into wall outlet)
4. Attach UV light to the inner part of one recycling bin lid (try different methods and use which ever attaches
best)
5. Leave the other recycling bin and use like normal
6. Take Recycling bins outside to where there is sun for the solar panel to work
7. Place non-biodegradable plastics in both recycling bins
8. Measure tear strength of plastic and record
9. Close lids
10. Make sure UV light is working (if not find the problem and fix it)
11. Leave outside and continue to watch and observe how the UV light affects the plastic (weigh again after 3-4
weeks)
12. Measure tear strength continuously and record
 Research Plan Template

Name(s): Ania Rab

Risk and Safety
Identify any potential risks and safety precautions needed.
Too much raw exposure to the UV light is a safety risk. The UV light can cause eye damage such as inflaming or
burning the cornea. Too much exposure can also cause skin damage. The needed safety precautions are to wear
glasses that block UV rays and to cover the skin with clothes.
Data Analysis
Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results.
I will be collecting quantitative data on the tensile (tear) strength of the different plastics inside the recycling bin.
Strength will be measured in newtons if possible.
IF Applicable
Below are subject-specific guidelines for additional items to be included in your
research plan/project summary as applicable.
Human participants research:
a. Participants: Describe age range, gender, racial/ethnic composition of participants. Identify vulnerable populations
(minors, pregnant women, prisoners, mentally disabled or economically disadvantaged).
b. Recruitment: Where will you find your participants? How will they be invited to participate?
c. Methods: What will participants be asked to do? Will you use any surveys, questionnaires or tests? What is the
frequency and length of time involved for each subject?
d. Risk Assessment: What are the risks or potential discomforts (physical, psychological, time involved, social, legal,
etc.) to participants? How will you minimize risks? List any benefits to society or participants.
e. Protection of Privacy: Will identifiable information (e.g., names, telephone numbers, birth dates, email addresses)
be collected? Will data be confidential/anonymous? If anonymous, describe how the data will be collected. If not
anonymous, what procedures are in place for safeguarding confidentiality? Where will data be stored? Who will have
access to the data? What will you do with the data after the study?
f. Informed Consent Process: Describe how you will inform participants about the purpose of the study, what they
will be asked to do, that their participation is voluntary and they have the right to stop at any time.

Vertebrate animal research:

a. Discuss potential ALTERNATIVES to vertebrate animal use and present justification for use of vertebrates.
b. Explain potential impact or contribution of this research.
c. Detail all procedures to be used, including methods used to minimize potential discomfort, distress, pain and injury
to the animals and detailed chemical concentrations and drug dosages.
d. Detail animal numbers, species, strain, sex, age, source, etc., include justification of the numbers planned.
e. Describe housing and oversight of daily care
f. Discuss disposition of the animals at the termination of the study.
Potentially hazardous biological agents research:
a. Give source of the organism and describe BSL assessment process and BSL determination.
b. Detail safety precautions and discuss methods of disposal.

Hazardous chemicals, activities & devices:

• Describe Risk Assessment process, supervision, safety precautions and methods of disposal.