What did Elif Bilgin do?
After two years of research, experiments, and failed trials, 16-year-old Elif Bilgin developed a new process for turning banana peels into a non-decaying bioplastic, a more eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics.
How old is Elif Bilgin now?
Elif Bilgin is the 16-year-old inventor of bio-plastics that are made from bananas.
How did Elif Bilgin change the world?
16-year-old Mighty Girl Elif Bilgin of Turkey has invented a new bioplastic that can be made from banana peels. For her invention, which she hopes can replace some of the petroleum-based plastics currently in use, Elif was recently awarded the 2013 Science in Action Award at the prestigious Google Science Fair!
What inspired Elif Bilgin?
(See original post here.) Born in 1997, Elif Bilgin is a young scientist originally from Istanbul, Turkey. When she was 14, inspired by the urge to alleviate the plastic pollution in the Bosphorus in Istanbul, Turkey, she began her project of inventing a method to make bioplastic out of banana peels.
Can banana peels make plastic?
Plastic from banana peels can be used for making plastic bags and tubes due its flexibility and durability. The high production cost and the availability of low-cost petrochemical derived plastics led to bioplastics being ignored for a long time.
Who is the winner of the 2013 Science in Action Award?
Elif Bilgin
“Genius,” Thomas Edison famously said, “is 1 percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” He would have found a kindred spirit in Elif Bilgin, 16, of Istanbul, winner of the 2013 Science in Action Award, part of the third annual Google Science Fair.
Why you should never throw away your banana peels?
Too much potassium can cause magnesium deficiency which is why many DIY fertilizers use banana peels and Epsom salts in combination. There are also a lot of personal hygiene benefits for using banana peels, so make sure to check those out on Pinterest!
Can you make plastic from fruit?
Orange peels are food wastes that are highly challenging as waste. The peels have high starch content and hence finds potential use for the production of bio-plastic. It also contains pectin, an essential source in providing bio-plastic strength [28,32,33].
How do I get on Google Science Fair?
Participate
- Website: https://www.competitionsciences.org/competitions/?ages=&type=&category=55&keyword=
- Managing Organization: Google Inc.
- Contact: [email protected].
- Entry Fee:
- Eligibility: Students must be 13-18 years old to participate. No individual can register for or enter the Competition until they turn 13.
What is green banana skin good for?
Banana peels are packed with polyphenols, carotenoids, and other antioxidants that fight cancer-causing free radicals in your body. Eating more banana peels, especially green, unripe peels, can increase your antioxidant levels and help reduce your risk of cancer.
How is banana plastic made?
Step 1: Banana peels are removed using stainless steel knife and converted into small pieces. Then peels are dip in sodium metabisulphite (0.2M) solution for 45 minutes. It is used as antioxidant and preservative. This would increase the biodegradation period of plastic.