Science & Tech
Recycling has become over the years an ecological necessity and an important economic issue, as the current use of food packaging (among others) is constantly increasing and generates the production of a great diversity of waste [1], [2], [3], [4]. The interest in developing processes for processing consumer materials such
Special Interest
What if the inconsistency and limited availability of Marble Plastics waste became a part of the selling point, rather than being a disadvantage. During my research into consumer psychology I found that "Moreover, limited drops are not just about scarcity. They are about storytelling and intention. Brands often design
Special Interest
In a series of studies in which consumers assembled IKEA boxes, folded origami, and built sets of Legos, we demonstrate and investigate the boundary conditions for what we term the “IKEA effect” – the increase in valuation of self-made products. Participants saw their amateurish creations – of both utilitarian and hedonic
2026-27 Capstone
The most important factors affecting degradation of polymers are thermal treatment, amount of shear stress acting on the polymer and residence time ,i.e. the time for which the polymer melt is subject to certain thermal and shear effects (Karlsson et al.2002). PS is known to follow an end-
2026-27 Capstone
Design aesthetics, which have received increasing attention from researchers in fields, such as ergonomics, neuroscience, and marketing can attract consumers to a product and persuade them to buy it. The aesthetic process is rapid and implicit and can result in sensory pleasure and delight (Goldman, 2001; Handy et al., 2008)
2026-27 Capstone
In an era characterized by environmental challenges and intensifying market competition, it is imperative for firms to prioritize the development of sustainable innovations that align with consumer preferences to retain and expand their customer base (Katsikeas et al., 2016; Paparoidamis et al., 2019). Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the ways
2026-27 Capstone
Limited drops have become a defining feature of modern streetwear culture. Instead of producing large quantities, brands release a small number of pieces for a short period. This approach creates a sense of exclusivity and urgency among buyers. People know that once the items are sold out, they may not
2026-27 Capstone
“Plastic polymer materials are widely used in industrial and commercial applications due to their technical properties such as durability, corrosion resistance, high strength, light weight, and low maintenance when compared to metallic components [1, 2]. The production of plastic has reached a level of 381 million tonnes per year and
Special Interest
A Reddit user recently admitted on r/consumer: “I bought the ‘limited edition’ Coke flavor even though I knew it would taste like battery acid. I didn’t want to miss out.” That confession captures something universal. We know better, yet we do it anyway. The words “limited edition” flip
2026-27 Capstone
Research Method: Semi-Structure Interview Participant: Home Depot Manager Research Goal: The purpose of this interview was to find out more about the kids' workshop activities that Home Depot puts on and whether it would be possible to integrate the scrap material from Marble Plastics into the current system
Numbers
The purpose of my survey design was to understand how two groups of people perceived manufacturing scrap and recycled materials, with the goal of identifying opportunities for the Local Loops projects. The two groups that I decided to recruit for the surveys were participants with designer backgrounds and non-designer
2026-27 Capstone
What if Marble Plastics waste were treated as a local material resource that could circulate between industries rather than staying within the internal company. This is the concept of circular economies. It challenges the linear process that follows the path of taking materials, producing goods, and eventually throwing them away.