SEKOLAH MENENGAH SAINS HULU SELANGOR

A RESEARCH REPORT ON

VERSATILE BLOTTING PAPER

FOR

MALAYSIAN YOUNG INVENTORS OLYMPIAD

RESEARCH BY
NUR AISYA IRDINA BINTI AZLIHISAM
NUR ALYA BATRISYIA BINTI AZMAN
NURIN IRDINA BINTI ZURAIDI

SUPERVISOR
LISNEZA BINTI ROSELI

FROM
SEKOLAH MENENGAH SAINS HULU SELANGOR
 VERSATILE BLOTTING PAPER

1.0 ABSTRACT

VERSATILE BLOTTING PAPER (VBP) is a multi-purpose oil absorbing paper that

was made with recycled items, such as paper egg trays and used cotton pads. We built
this product with two goals in mind. First, we intend to build this product with reused
items so that it can be eco-friendly.

Indirectly, our products can reduce environmental pollution that has an impact on our
earth. Aside from that, this product is 0% chemical, so it's safe to use it everywhere.
For the coloring effect, we use beetroots, butterfly peas, coffee beans, and spinach.

This product can be folded and cut so that it is easy to carry around. For example, our
product can safely be used as facial oil control paper. Our product can avoid clogging
pores because sometimes when we use oil absorbing paper, our skin can be easily
clogged. Other than that, our paper can also be used as kitchen paper so that our
kitchen can stay clean from any additional oils.

Keyword : paper, absorb, convenient, eco-friendly

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2.0 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 ABSTRACT--------------------------------------------------------------------------2
2.0 TABLE OF CONTENTS----------------------------------------------------------3
3.0 APPRECIATION-------------------------------------------------------------------4
4.0 INTRODUCTION------------------------------------------------------------------5
4.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND---------------------------------------------5
4.2 PROBLEM STATEMENTS----------------------------------------------5
4.3 SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH---------------------------------------------5
4.4 DEFINITION OF TERMS------------------------------------------------5-6
4.5 THE SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY-----------------------6
5.0 STUDY METHODOLOGY------------------------------------------------------6
5.1 LOCATION AND TIME OF EXPERIMENT------------------------6
5.2 VARIABLES OF EXPERIMENT---------------------------------------6
5.3 APPARATUS AND MATERIALS---------------------------------------6
5.4 EXPERIMENT PROCEDURES-----------------------------------------7
6.0 REVIEW EXPERIMENT---------------------------------------------------------7
6.1 METHOD OF EXPERIMENT-------------------------------------------7
6.2 DATA COLLECTION------------------------------------------------------7
7.0 THE STUDY--------------------------------------------------------------------------7
7.1 DATA ANALYSIS------------------------------------------------------------7
7.2 INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS AND FINDINGS---------------8
8.0 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION---------------------------------------------9
8.1 MANUFACTURE OF COMPOSITE------------------------------------9
8.2 DISCUSSION ON DATA COLLECTION OF EXPERIMENT----9-10
8.3 CONCLUSION---------------------------------------------------------------10
9 REFERENCES-------------------------------------------------------------------------11
10 APPENDIX----------------------------------------------------------------------------12-14

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3.0 APPRECIATION

This project would not have been possible without the support and inspiration of a
number of wonderful people around us. We couldn't have done this project without
the help of our supervisor, Puan Lisneza binti Roseli. Without her enthusiasm,
support, encouragement, and continuous optimism, this project would hardly have
been completed.

We also want to express our deepest gratitude to all of our friends and teachers. They
have given us their support in a number of ways, especially towards the completion
of this project.

We could not have done this without our one and only principle, En Zaili Azmi bin
Mustafa Alfandi. He has approved our product, and he has helped us in the progress
of this project.

Finally, we are forever indebted to our family members, especially our parents, for
their financial and emotional support during our process of making this product.
Thank you for giving us the opportunities and experiences that have made us who we
are. It means the world to us. This journey would not have been possible if it were not
for them.

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4.0 INTRODUCTION
4.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND
The purpose of this product is to reduce waste. Especially in this modern era,
many people tend to create products that are easy to use and to carry around,
but they forget about the health of the world. This product is biodegradable
which makes it easy to dispose.

4.2 PROBLEM STATEMENTS

This Versatile Blotting Paper was mainly made to help housewives and chefs
who struggle with cleaning their kitchens. In addition, it can also be used as a
face oil control paper without clogging pores. At the same time, it can be used
as an oil absorbing tissue paper. It can be used anytime especially after eating
something oily. The hypothesis that we come up with is an oil absorber and an
oil controler.

4.3 SIGNIFICANT RESEARCH

This Blotting Paper is an oil absorbing paper that can make our lives easier
and, at the same time, reduce waste that can affect the earth’s condition.
4.4 DEFINITION OF TERMS

4.4.1 EGG TRAY

Egg trays are made of various materials, such as recycled paper,
cardboard and molded pulp.

4.4.2 COTTON PAD

Cotton pads are made of cotton that are used for cosmetic purposes and
commonly used as the application and the removal of makeup.

4.4.3 BUTTERFLY PEA

Butterfly pea or Asian Pigeonwings are used as an additional color for
this product. This plant can also improve the skin barrier because it
contains antioxidants and vitamin such as Vitamin A, C and E, that can
help to improve the skin natural barrier. What’s more, this plant is
suitable for any type of skin.

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 4.4.4 COFFEE BEAN
Coffee beans is used as an additional color and can reduce acne and
redness.

4.5 THE SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

In this project, there are some limitations of study that happens to ensure the
result is accurate and focused on our project. The limitations are:

 Versatile Blotting Paper are made from egg trays and cotton pads.
 Some natural coloring has been added into this product such as butterfly
pea and coffee.
5.0 STUDY METHODOLOGY
5.1 LOCATION AND TIME OF EXPERIMENT
This experiment was carried out from July 2023 until early September 2023 at
Science Laboratory 1 and Chemistry Laboratory 1 of Sekolah Menengah Sains
Hulu Selangor.

5.2 VARIABLES OF EXPERIMENT

1. Manipulated variables:
2. Responding variables:
3. Constant variables: The materials (egg trays,cotton pads,butterfly
pea,coffee) used in Versatile Blotting Paper.

5.3 APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

5.3.1 APPARATUS
1. Paper maker mold
2. Blender
3. Towel
4. Tissue

5.3.2 MATERIALS
1. Egg trays
2. Cotton pads
3. Butterly peas
4. Coffee beans
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 5.4 EXPERIMENT PROCEDURES
1. Egg trays and cotton pads were shreaded.
2. Put the shreaded items into the blender, add some water and blend
them together.
3. Put the blended items on a dry towel and put another towel on top of
it and let it dry a little.
4. Transfer all of it into paper molds.
5. Let it dry naturally outside.

6.0 REVIEW EXPERIMENT

6.1 METHOD OF OBSERVATION
Versatile Blotting Paper (VBP)’s time of oil absorbtion and effectiveness was
compared with Product X.

6.2 DATA COLLECTION

Time of absorbing Effectiveness of the product

VBP 5 seconds Clean
Product X 7 seconds There are oil leftovers remain on
the table

The experiment shows that Versatile Blotting Paper (VBP) is more effective
than Product X.

7.0 THE STUDY

7.1 DATA ANALYSIS

The table shows the data collected from the experiment. During the
experiment, Product X took 7 seconds to absorb the oil while still having oil
leftovers, while Versatile Blotting Paper only took 5 seconds to absorb the oil
without excess. It goes without saying that Versatile Blotting Paper is more
convenient than any other product.

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7.2 INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS AND FINDINGS

The experiment shows that Versatile Blotting Paper (VBP) is more effective
than Product X. VBP absorbs faster than Product X. In this situation, VBP is
more ideal for applications requiring quick cleanup, such as oil spills in the
kitchen or other industrial processes.

Fast absorbers often use materials with high porosity or surface modifications
to enhance their oil capabilities. In this case, VBP uses cotton pads as one of
the materials that help absorb oils. Cotton is a natural fibre that has the ability
to absorb and retain oil and other hydrophobic substances effectively. Cotton
fibres have a high surface area due to their fine structure. This increased
surface area provides more contact points for the oil to adhere to, allowing for
efficient absorption.

Cotton is an effective oil absorber due to its natural hydrophobic properties,

capillary action, high surface area, and porosity. These characteristics make
cotton an ideal material for various applications where oil absorption is
necessary. Cotton can quickly and efficiently absorb oil and other hydrophobic
substances, making it a valuable choice in contexts such as oil spills while
cooking or kitchen cleanup.
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8.0 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
8.1 MANUFACTURE OF COMPOSITE

Versatile Blotting Paper (VBP) was made from egg trays and cotton pads that
were blended together with water. The composite was then transferred to a
paper mould and left to dry under the sun for 2 days. The paper was then tested
with oil to see if it would absorb oil or not.

8.2 DISCUSSION OF DATA COLLECTION OF EXPERIMENT

The blotting paper from Product X that doesn't contain cotton pads didn't show
encouraging results in the cleanliness aspect. There is still residual oil dirt left
behind even after using Product X, compared to Versatile Blotting Paper,
which didn't have any residual oil stains left behind.

Most blotting paper is made from plastic and vinyl, which can clog our
waterways and impact ecosystems when discarded after use. This is where we
got the idea to create this product.
Blotting paper can be used as an on-the-go oil remover; it can help absorb oil
or liquid stains before they set to prevent permanent damage to a surface. Apart
from oil, blotting paper is effective in absorbing other liquids such as ink spills,
spilled drinks, moisture, and documents, books, or artwork. Botanists and plant
enthusiasts use bloating paper in herbariums, and for pressing plants, it helps
absorb moisture from plant specimens during the preservation process. Blotting
paper lies in its ability to quickly absorb various liquids and substances. Its
many applications make it a handy tool in daily life, from personal to cleaning.

In the industry, plastic and vinyl are often used to make blotting papers. Plastic
and vinyl have so many disadvantages, such as the fact that the natural
decomposition of plastic can last from 400 to 1000 years, and a few other types
of plastic are non-degradable as well. Plastic materials clog the ocean's seas
and lakes. 1 in 3 species of marine mammals have been found entangled in
marine litter. Many animals eat plastic materials and die. Over 90% of all
seabirds have plastic pieces in their stomachs. For the most part, a few
addictive substances, such as phthalates, which are added to plastic to prevent
its structure, may cause serious hormonal imbalances in males and females.
Vinyl, in fact, is not an eco-friendly material throughout the manufacturing
process, product lifecycle, and end-of-life stage.
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Some eco-friendly blotting paper out there often uses rice paper, wood pulp, or
perhaps cotton as a material for the paper. Our product, Versatile Blotting
Paper, is made from a recycled egg tray that was fully made from pulp and
paper, and we also use cotton as a raw material in making our product. Based
on our research, some scientists conducted an experiment about the absorbance
of cotton, and the experiment indicated that 100% cotton absorbs the most oil.
Other than that, we also added some ingredients to our product for natural
coloring. For instance, we used coffee and butterfly peas for some extra
colouring effect.

Versatile Blotting Paper is an innovative product that emphasises

environmental health and is user-friendly. It would be desirable to produce
blotting paper that doesn't affect the health of the earth, especially in this
modern world.

8.3 CONCLUSION

In many cases, Versatile Blotting Paper serves as a cost-effective and efficient

solution for addressing oil-related issues, ultimately saving time and resources.
The wide range of applications, adaptability to various needs, and the potential
for eco-friendly innovations make Versatile Blotting Paper a valuable material
in our daily lives, offering practical solutions to a variety of challenges. Its
continued relevance underscores its importance in diverse industries and
personal use, where quick and efficient liquid absorption is a key requirement.
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9 REFERENCES

1. Butterfly pea
 https://www.medicinenet.com/
8_health_benefits_of_blue_clitoria_ternate/article.htm#:~:text=It
%20can%20reduce%20body%20pain,pea%20is%20rich%20in
%20antioxidants.
2. Coffee beans
 https://www.purplle.com/magazine/article/7-benefits-of-coffee-in-your-
skincare
3. Cotton
 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_pad
 https://www.snexplores.org/article/soaking-oil-spills-with-cotton
4. Egg trays
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5876200/
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10 APPENDIX
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