Plastics have some amazing uses, due to its light weight and wear-resistant material properties. Often times replacing conventional materials with plastics accomplish the same functionality while saving $$$. Some people get very creative - here I list some exciting projects with plastics.
Collapsible Kayak
Origami + plastic. Ever made a boat out of paper? Ever think that kayaks are too big to fit in your car, or anywhere for that matter? Can plastic sheets fold like paper? You bet they can. Combining concepts from seemingly different fields sometimes achieve great things, like the collapsible kayak made and sold by Oru Kayak. Just watch!
Invisible Bike Helmet
Helmets are cool, but I also like the morning breeze running through my hair too much. There is a way to have the cake and eat it to. Check out the “invisible bike helmet” by a Swedish company, Hovding.
Carbon Fiber Electric Vehicle by BMW
I drove one of these a couple years ago at the LA Convention Center. Quiet, small, futuristic design, and most notably, it felt light and responsive. Carbon Fiber Plastics have been used in the aftermarkets auto industry – like those cars in Fast and Furious franchise often seen with carbon fiber body. Carbon fiber reinforced plastics also tend to preserve desirable properties of the conventional metallic car materials fairly well.
Recycled Bicycle
I have a bike made out of a frame made by a French company in the 1970’s. It rides well, has a vintage look, and I also liked the fact that it was recycled. There’s a whole subculture built around vintage bikes but here’s an alternative if the environment had been the main concern for buying vintage: a bike made out of recycled plastic. Plus, you can leave it out in the rain and it won’t rust! Read the article here.
3D Printing Pen
Might as well be a small 3D printer. Or adhesive gun that shoots color plastics. I’m just now thinking why did I not think of this? The 3Doodler won’t let you draw things in the air, but it can probably help you sketch your 3D printing project before preparing a CAD drawing and configuring the printer and all that jazz. Check it out: