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| report:sus [2026/06/13 17:41] – [5.5.2 Processing] team1 | report:sus [2026/06/13 18:08] (current) – [5.2.4 Materials] team1 | ||
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| Internal parts of the pot are made using 3D printing. The chosen material is Polylactic Acid (PLA), which is a biodegradable plastic made from renewable plants like corn instead of petroleum. Degradation rate is 1 week to 24 months, being the shortest out of all polymers listed. PLA is a sustainable choice because it can be recycled many times without losing its strength [(PLA)]. | Internal parts of the pot are made using 3D printing. The chosen material is Polylactic Acid (PLA), which is a biodegradable plastic made from renewable plants like corn instead of petroleum. Degradation rate is 1 week to 24 months, being the shortest out of all polymers listed. PLA is a sustainable choice because it can be recycled many times without losing its strength [(PLA)]. | ||
| - | To further improve the sustainability of the printed components, the project explores the use of cork-infused filaments based on recent research. These materials combine polymers such as Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate with cork powder derived from recycled cork waste, allowing natural content to be incorporated directly into 3D printed parts. Studies show that cork can be added in proportions of up to around 15 to 20 % by weight before the material becomes too brittle for effective processing. This approach not only increases the renewable fraction of the product but also creates parts with a texture and appearance that better match cork-based elements of the design. At the same time, these composites can contribute to lightweight structures and offer some insulating properties, supporting both functional and environmental goals. By selecting recycled polymers together with cork composites, the 3D printed elements remain aligned with the eco-friendly objectives of the Screen2Green project while relying on experimentally validated material behavior [(cork_filament_2024)]. | + | To further improve the sustainability of the printed components, the project explores the use of cork-infused filaments based on recent research. These materials combine polymers such as an Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate with cork powder derived from recycled cork waste, allowing natural content to be incorporated directly into 3D printed parts. Studies show that cork can be added in proportions of up to around 15 to 20 % by weight before the material becomes too brittle for effective processing. This approach not only increases the renewable fraction of the product but also creates parts with a texture and appearance that better match cork-based elements of the design. At the same time, these composites can contribute to lightweight structures and offer some insulating properties, supporting both functional and environmental goals. By selecting recycled polymers together with cork composites, the 3D printed elements remain aligned with the eco-friendly objectives of the Screen2Green project while relying on experimentally validated material behavior [(cork_filament_2024)]. |
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| * 3D Printing: Structural parts are printed in a Porto facility. This additive process minimizes material waste compared to subtractive manufacturing. | * 3D Printing: Structural parts are printed in a Porto facility. This additive process minimizes material waste compared to subtractive manufacturing. | ||
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| * Renewable Energy: Manufacturing utilizes the Portuguese power grid. It is powered by over 80 % renewable sources, resulting in very low manufacturing emissions. | * Renewable Energy: Manufacturing utilizes the Portuguese power grid. It is powered by over 80 % renewable sources, resulting in very low manufacturing emissions. | ||
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| * Toxic-Free Production: PLA and cork printing produce minimal fumes. No toxic chemical baths or heavy industrial melting points are required for the main structure. | * Toxic-Free Production: PLA and cork printing produce minimal fumes. No toxic chemical baths or heavy industrial melting points are required for the main structure. | ||
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| * Localized Supply Chain: Short transport routes from Alentejo (cork) to Porto (manufacturing). This keeps the " | * Localized Supply Chain: Short transport routes from Alentejo (cork) to Porto (manufacturing). This keeps the " | ||
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| * Lightweight Design: The cork-composite body is significantly lighter than traditional ceramic or heavy plastic. This lowers fuel consumption during final delivery. | * Lightweight Design: The cork-composite body is significantly lighter than traditional ceramic or heavy plastic. This lowers fuel consumption during final delivery. | ||
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| * Eco-Packaging: | * Eco-Packaging: | ||
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| * Behavioral Detox: The pot serves as a physical mirror for digital habits. Linking plant health to screen time encourages users to reduce phone usage and energy consumption. | * Behavioral Detox: The pot serves as a physical mirror for digital habits. Linking plant health to screen time encourages users to reduce phone usage and energy consumption. | ||
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| * Gravity-Fed System: There is no pump. The system uses a 12 V DC valve and gravity to water the basil. This eliminates a major failure point and reduces energy draw. | * Gravity-Fed System: There is no pump. The system uses a 12 V DC valve and gravity to water the basil. This eliminates a major failure point and reduces energy draw. | ||
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| * Smart Automation: The ESP32 and soil sensors manage the water tank efficiently. This ensures the plant thrives for 1.5 to 2 weeks without manual effort. | * Smart Automation: The ESP32 and soil sensors manage the water tank efficiently. This ensures the plant thrives for 1.5 to 2 weeks without manual effort. | ||
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| * Modular Hardware: The valve, relay module, and sensors are not soldered into the frame. They can be unscrewed and replaced individually. | * Modular Hardware: The valve, relay module, and sensors are not soldered into the frame. They can be unscrewed and replaced individually. | ||
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| * Structural Durability: PLA and cork are moisture-resistant. This prevents degradation over years of use, while modular electronics allow for easy tech upgrades. | * Structural Durability: PLA and cork are moisture-resistant. This prevents degradation over years of use, while modular electronics allow for easy tech upgrades. | ||
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| * Material Separation: The snap-fit design allows users to easily separate the electronics from the bio-based structure at the end of the 2-year lifecycle. | * Material Separation: The snap-fit design allows users to easily separate the electronics from the bio-based structure at the end of the 2-year lifecycle. | ||
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| * Composting and Recycling: The natural cork base is 100 % compostable. PLA structural parts can be industrially composted or mechanically recycled into new filament. | * Composting and Recycling: The natural cork base is 100 % compostable. PLA structural parts can be industrially composted or mechanically recycled into new filament. | ||
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| * Circular Economy: Electronic components like the ESP32 and relay must be sent to WEEE collection points in Porto. This allows for the recovery of precious metals and responsible waste management. | * Circular Economy: Electronic components like the ESP32 and relay must be sent to WEEE collection points in Porto. This allows for the recovery of precious metals and responsible waste management. | ||