Reader's Response Draft 2

From the article "Duo turn plastic waste into a concrete idea", Goy (2016) stated that scientists have found an eco-friendly way to recycle plastic waste with the use of carbon nanotubes as an accompaniment to cement. Goy (2016) mentioned that over the past few years, a very small percentage of plastic waste was recycled.  The usage of carbon nanotubes has a number of benefits because it has good attributes as an additive to cement. Goy reported that technology company BlueRen uses a different material which inflicts less harm on the environment.  Carbon nanotubes technology helps contribute to a greener environment while with sufficient research and prototyping, the technology has a bright future. 

To begin with, majority of the plastic waste are being dumped upon wastelands, taking up unnecessary space of land. In the article by Lytle (2017) stated that the top three items found in 2008 were plastic bags, food containers and cigarette waste. These products are imperishable and takes a long time to degrade, hence becoming debris that lasts for a long time if no proper clearing system is implemented. In addition, Lytle also mentioned that most of these plastic waste floats on water which means they are able to travel further and spread, endangering wildlife animals and destroy natural habitats in the process. 

With this in mind, Goy(2017) reported that BlueRen's technology processes plastic waste into gases, following which the gases are then further processed through a number of chambers in which the gases would form into carbon nanotubes. The way plastic waste can be used to form carbon nanotubes can significantly increase the percentage of plastic waste being recycled. This provides recycling companies more opportunities in terms of their output. Companies like BlueRen can utilize their technology in helping to contribute to a greener environment with reduced amount of plastic waste. In the past, recycling of plastic waste is proved to be ineffective because the process of forming carbon nanotubes is expensive and the operation releases harmful gases into the environment. However, to add on to a healthier and cleaner environment, Goy (2016) claimed that BlueRen uses a different stimulus material, which is a greener choice. These factors help reduce the amount of plastic waste not being recycled as well as utilizing an environmentally friendly method to churn plastic waste into something useful. 

At the same time, Manzur (2016) pointed that carbon nanotubes are a good additive to cement because of the materials' immensely excellent attributes. Carbon nanotubes have high strength and flexibility which helps in integrating them perfectly into solid composite materials such as cement. Carbon nanotubes' attributes also aid in reducing crack size and ensuring smooth transmission of load. Based on the research, Manzur mentioned that cement with carbon nanotubes expresses a much higher compression and flexion strength with comparison to regular simple cement paste. With the use of carbon nanotubes as an additive, cement usage can be significantly reduced. 

In conclusion, recycling plastic waste to form carbon nanotubes is a positive and favorable research technology which can contribute to a greener and cleaner environment. 

References: 

Potential of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Cement Composites as Concrete Repair Material
Tanvir Manzur (2016), Hindawi
Retrieved (27th September 2017) from:

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jnm/2016/1421959/ 

When the Mermaids Cry: The Great Plastic Tide 
Lytle (2017), Coastal Care
Retrieved  (27th September 2017) from:

http://plastic-pollution.org/ 

Duo Turn Plastic Waste into A Concrete Idea 
Goy (2016), The Straits Times
Retrieved (27th September 2017) from:

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/duo-turn-plastic-waste-into-a-concrete-idea 

Edited 02 October 2017

Reader's Response Draft 1

In the article "Duo turn plastic waste into a concrete idea", Goy (2016) stated that scientists have found an eco-friendly way to recycle plastic waste with the use of carbon nanotubes as an accompaniment to cement, reducing the use of cement. It processes plastic into gases, following which the product can be formed from these gases. Carbon nanotubes are lighter yet stronger. Technology company BlueRen uses a different material which inflict less harm on the environment. However, technology takes time to be implemented and research of the long-term effects of the nanotubes such as maintenance should be looked into. Carbon nanotubes technology helps contribute to a greener environment while with sufficient research and prototyping, the technology has a bright future. 

Goy (2016) mentioned that over the past few years, a very small percentage of plastic waste was recycled. This means majority of the plastic waste are being dumped upon wastelands, taking up unnecessary space of land. In the article "When the Mermaids Cry: The Great Plastic Tide", Lytle stated that the top three items found in 2008 were plastic bags, food containers and cigarette waste. These products are imperishable and takes a long time to degrade, hence becoming debris that lasts for a long time if no proper clearing system is implemented. In addition, most of these plastic waste floats on water which means they are able to travel further and spread, endangering wildlife animals and destroy natural habitats in the process. 

With this in mind, BlueRen's technology processes plastic waste into gases, following which they are then further processed through a number of chambers in which the gases will form into carbon nanotubes. The way plastic waste can be used to form carbon nanotubes can significantly increase the percentage of plastic waste being recycled. This provides recycling companies more opportunities in terms of their output. Companies like BlueRen can utilize their technology in helping to contribute to a greener environment with reduced amount of plastic waste. In the past, recycling of plastic waste is proved to be ineffective because the process of forming carbon nanotubes is expensive and the operation releases harmful gases into the environment. However, to add on to a healthier and cleaner environment, Goy (2016) claimed that BlueRen uses a different stimulus material, which is a greener choice. These factors help reduce the amount of plastic waste not being recycled as well as utilizing an environmentally friendly method to churn plastic waste into something useful. 

Based on the research article "Potential of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Cement Composites as Concrete Repair Material", Manzur (2016) pointed that carbon nanotubes are a good additive to cement because of its immensely excellent attributes. Carbon nanotubes have high strength and flexibility which helps in integrating them perfectly into solid composite materials such as cement. Its attributes also aid in reducing crack size and ensuring smooth transmission of load. Based on the research, Manzur mentioned that cement with carbon nanotubes expresses a much higher compression and flexion strength with comparison to regular simple cement paste. With the use of carbon nanotubes as an additive, cement usage can be significantly reduced. 

In conclusion, recycling plastic waste to form carbon nanotubes is a positive and favorable research technology which can contribute to a greener and cleaner environment. 

References: 

Potential of Carbon Nanotube Reinforced Cement Composites as Concrete Repair Material 

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jnm/2016/1421959/ 

When the Mermaids Cry: The Great Plastic Tide 

http://plastic-pollution.org/ 

Duo Turn Plastic Waste into A Concrete Idea 

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/duo-turn-plastic-waste-into-a-concrete-idea 

Self-introductory Letter

Dear Professor Blackstone, 

I would like to formally introduce myself as a student in your class. My name is Qiu Yu Xiong, and I am currently matriculated at Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) in Sustainable Infrastructure Engineering (Building services). I was previously also an engineering student, majoring in aeronautical studies. After graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a diploma in aerospace electronics, I looked towards SIT for an engineering degree program. However, I do look forward to giving my best efforts in pursuing my dream of being an engineer in this field of work. 

I served my nation as a military policeman in the Singapore Armed Forces detention barracks. Throughout my tour of duty, I faced numerous daunting challenges. Though I suffered and struggled through most of it, I am glad to have my close friends who were there to encourage me.

My goals in SIT are to learn all the essentials skills and pick up relevant knowledge to aid me in my future endeavor to become a professional engineer. I believe the holistic curriculum provided by SIT can nurture me and equip me with the analytical skills to develop me to the fullest potential to become an engineer. I have always dreamt of pursuing a career as an engineer. 

On the topic of weakness I find it difficult to express myself at times due to the fact that I consider myself an introvert. Whenever I am required to present my work, I tend to stutter and find myself reading off the slides more often than not. My weakness to confidently give speeches and presentations to a large crowd often affected my grades during tertiary studies.

On the other hand, I do fare better in contributing to group works and consider myself a great team player. I enjoy working in a group because ideas flow and develop better when there are a few minds to it. One other positive quality I possess is I work towards being punctual in every aspect. I tend to accomplish my assignments way before they are due as I have always believed to not put till tomorrow what can be done today. 

Enrolling in SIT made me determined to step out of my comfort zone and embrace the aspects of standing out. I look forward to developing myself into a competent engineer with a spectrum of skills and professionalism in SIT. Through this effective communication module, I hope to strengthen and polish my command of English and excel in communicating fluently.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,  

Qiu Yu Xiong
SIE Group 1

Edited 11 September 2017
Edited 20 September 2017
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