Bamboo:

Properties:

-Very “Green”; Fast growing and growing bamboo creates jobs

-100% biodegradable

-No chemical additives

-Does not irritate skin

-Hypoallergenic

-Highly absorbent

-High Tensile Strength

-Flexibility makes it great for reinforcing brittle materials

-Has recently begun being used in designer clothes because of its comfort, breathability, hygenic properties and durability.

Suppliers:

-Shanghai Tenbro – Main producer

-Bamboosa - distributor

Geography:

-Bamboo is found throughout much of the world, but is commonly found and produced in Southeastern China

-Can grow is a wide variety of temperatures and weather.

Tyvek (Spunbond Olefin Fiber):

Properties:

-Very strong, difficult to tear

-Easy to cut

-Water vapor can pass though Tyvek, but not liquid water

-Lightweight

-Flame resistant

-Not usually accepted with municipal recycling programs, but DuPont has a special recycling program

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Suppliers:

-Produced solely and trademarked by DuPont

Geography:

-Manufactred in Richmond Virginia and Contern, Luxembourg.

Plaster Of Paris (Gypsum Plaster)

Properties

-Material based on calcium sulphate hemihydrate

-Dries solid, but is soft and easily manipulated

-Not good for load bearing

-Chemical reactions involved in producing and mixing plaster ca create a lot of heat and can be very dangerous

-Irritant when inhaled

-Some versions can have asbestos traces

-Possibly carcinogenic

-Hard to clean up and recycle

Suppliers:

- Available at any hardware or craft store

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Geography:

-Manufactured throughout the world

-Commercial quantities of gypsum are found in the cities of Araripina and Grajau, BraZIL, Pakistan, Jamaica, Iran (world's second largest producer), Thailand, Spain, (the main producer in Europe), Germany, Italy, England, Ireland, Canada, New York, Michigan, Indiana, Texas, Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arkansas, and Nevada. s

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Gelatin Binders:

Properties:

- Gelatin Binder Prepared from Gelatin and Colloidal Silica/Polymer Latex Composite Particles were stronger and less likely to fracture than other commonly used binders

-Highly adhesive

-Electrochemically stable

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Suppliers:

- Still very experimental and is being developed by various companies and institutions around the world such as the military and battery producers (because of its electrochemical properties)

Geography:

- Is being developed around the world, mainly Japan and the United States

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Pasta:

Properties:

-Can be molded when recently cooked, but dries stiff

-Brittle

-Various sizes, shapes and ingredients with various properties

-Low tensile strength

Producers:

-Thousands, such as Barilla

-Pasta makers are sold commercially ranging in price from around $25 to $200

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Geography:

-National dish of Italy

-Found everywhere in the world

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