Research Plan Template

Student name(s): Braeden Meese

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.
Disposable diapers contribute to a large percent of plastic waste due to the large quantities used daily
and the extremely long decomposition rate of the plastics that make up the diapers. Washable and
biodegradable diapers are current alternatives that do not have negative impacts on the environment,
but trends suggest that consumers continue buying disposable diapers for convenience and comfortability
for children. I want to create a modified diaper disposal system that utilizes a concentrated amount UV
radiation to breakdown the plastic within disposable diapers to accelerate the rate of decomposition of
slow decomposing plastics in the diapers to significantly reduce environmental consequences caused by
them.
B) Research Question(s), Hypothesis(es), Engineering Goal(s), Expected
Outcomes.
How is this based on the rationale described above?
Research Question(s): How long will the decomposition of superabsorbent polymer under UV light?
What concentration of UV light will be significant enough to decompose the diaper?
Hypothesis(es): The diaper will begin to decompose and lose mass after an hour of being exposed to the ultraviolet
light. A small chamber for the diaper with four UV light panels on each wall will expose the diaper to a sufficient
amount of ultraviolet radiation to begin decomposing the diaper.
Engineering Goal(s): To create a diaper disposal system that utilizes a UV light chamber to decompose the plastics
within diapers
Expected Outcomes: The disposable diaper will decompose at a faster rate than normal
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.
1. Order four UV panels from online or from improvement retail stores
2. Obtain plastics containers that I can use to construct plastic prototype
3. Construct the prototype with similar features of other diaper disposal systems, but with a larger space under the hood to place a
UV chamber for the diapers before dropping into the trash bag below
4. Install the UV panels on all four sides on the inside of the UV light chamber for maximum UV exposure for the diaper
5. Once the prototype in constructed, place a diaper into the UV chamber
6. Observe and analyze the decomposition of the diaper after specific increments of time by massing the diaper
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Risk and Safety

Identify any potential risks and safety precautions needed.
 Skin exposure to UV light for long periods of time
 Electrocution from UV panels

Data Analysis
Describe the procedures you will use to analyze the data/results.
 Mass the diaper after specific intervals of time to determine if the plastics are decomposing
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
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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.
Extreme exposure to the UV light from the panels can cause erythema and rashes. This can cause
chronic effects like skin cancer for prolonged exposure. The UV radiation can also damage the
cornea and conjunctiva if the eyes are exposed to the UV light for an extended period of time.
Since the UV light panels are deep within the prototype, my eyes and hands will not be exposed to
the UV light radiation directly since the diaper drops itself into the UV chamber. When placing the
UV panels into the prototype, I will have to ensure that I do not turn them on until the protoype is
built.