Three high school students from Tokyo Metropolitan Tama High School of Science and Technology have developed recyclable gloves using a fiber found in seaweed slime. Their innovation has earned them a prestigious award and recognition from professional researchers.
The trio, Shuhei Otsuka, Takumi Kaneko, and Reo Nishihira, focused their research on alginic acid, a dietary fiber that causes sliminess in seaweeds. Their initial attempt to make plastic from alginic acid proved difficult. However, Nishihira's accidental discovery of a gel-like layer of calcium alginate formed when he dipped his finger into an aqueous solution of sodium alginate and then into an aqueous solution of calcium chloride sparked the idea for the gloves.
The students surveyed over 120 workers who used gloves in various industries, including restaurants and nursing care, to understand their needs and preferences. They then experimented with different aqueous solution concentrations to create prototypes of gloves that were strong, comfortable, and practical.
The gloves contain abundant water content, which helps shield the wearer's hands from heat and cold while also preventing stuffiness. Additionally, the gloves are recyclable. Soaking them in an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate reverts them to their original sodium alginate form.
The students' innovation has been recognized by Denka Co., a chemical manufacturer, who awarded them the Denka prize at the Japan Science & Engineering Challenge (JSEC) 2023. They were invited to visit Denka's research facility and were awarded a certificate of merit.
The students are encouraged by the recognition and feedback they have received. They plan to continue improving the gloves, focusing on aspects like thickness and strength. They also envision developing commercial products such as antimicrobial and moisturizing gloves.