H01 : Determining the Water Diffusion Coefficient of Various Bioplastics: A Molecular Dynamics Study


Students Katie Barbera
School HWCD - Cathedral High School - Hamilton
Level Intermediate 9/10 - Grade 10
Group Group 8 - Physical and Mathematical
Abstract Using molecular dynamics to study and analyze the specific water diffusion coefficient of two bioplastics, Polyhydroxybutyrate and Polylactic Acid, with and without introduction to enzymes, to then be compared to that of Polypropylene, a widely used synthetic plastic. This is pertinent to creating more sustainable materials, specifically single-use plastics, through analysis of their utility within various industries, in addition to ecological characteristics, such as compostability.