EcoInk

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  Our logo that we will input on all of our cartridges to identify that it is ours.

Inspiration

During a summer hike, we discovered a canal filled with discarded ink cartridges, highlighting the environmental impact of traditional ink disposal. Wildlife had been impacted drastically, with fish and other water creatures floating on their stomachs. Inspired to find a sustainable solution, we developed EcoInk—an innovative cartridge that synthesizes its own ink from everyday materials.

What it does

EcoInk utilizes coffee grounds, honey, and water to produce a superior, eco-friendly ink. These materials are blended and heated to 300 degrees Fahrenheit, producing a solution held together by powerful intermolecular forces that can adhere to paper as seamlessly as ink does.

How we built it

We designed the Eco Ink cartridge in Fusion 360 which allowed us to create a robust design that met our size and durability requirements. We also experimented with different ink formulas with coffee grounds, honey, and water to find the desired ink consistency.

Challenges we ran into

We initially ran into some challenges in perfecting the ink recipe, but after littering through different coffee grounds to water to honey ratios, we found that a 1.5: 1.75: 0.35 ratio of each ingredient respectively creates the optimal consistency for the ink.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We are proud of our CAD model's final product, as it clearly showcases our unique cartridge's main components, and of our team's collaboration to produce such an impactful project in a short time.

What we learned

We learned more about utilizing Fusion 360 and open-source libraries, specifically GrabCAD. We also learned about the technical process necessary to produce an ink of the desired consistency.

What's next for EcoInk

In the future, we want to integrate colored printing functionality and explore opportunities for further reducing environmental impact by using motors and blades that can be recycled. If awarded the cash prize, we will create a 3d printed model to test the feasibility of the design inside of the printer.

Built With

• adobe-express
• autodesk-fusion-360
• cad