(1) unmet need - engineering problem being addressed: Approximately fifteen percent of ketchup, detergent and shampoo still remain on the walls of storage containers. Due to this problem, billions of dollars are wasted annually. (2) project deliverables: Models are created to represent working prototypes that are more efficeint for the products. (3) constraints: Glass bottles are less expensive to produce, but are more expensive to transport. (4) approach: Ketchup, shampoo and detergent droplets were placed onto plastics to test which plastic best suited the products. Then, the plastics were coated with candlewax, car wax, beeswax, Alkyl Ketene Dimer (AKD) and NeverWet. Further testing showed little improvement was made testing with plastics. Next the products were tested on glass, which showed substantial improvements. Then we used the same coating technique as we had with the plastics, which showed further antiwetting improvements. (5) results: Glass coated with candle wax and NeverWet gave the best results for all of the products. (6) issues: The production lines would endure problems throughout the coating process. NeverWet is a toxic chemical that can cause harm when consumed. (7) impact: We are trying to remove as much of the product from the containers as much as possible to reduce waste and improve efficiency. Consumers will be more satisfied knowing they are getting the entire product they paid for, which in return should benefit the suppliers.
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