A Research Report: Charcoal as Ink Substitute

Abstract

The objective of this project was to explore the potential use of charcoal as ink, analyze the advantages and disadvantages of employing charcoal as an ink substitute, and assess the effectiveness of the resulting product compared to commercial ink available in the market. The research employed a descriptive-experimental method to gather data. This study was conducted at the residence of the research leader in Purok-8, Cayutan, Cagniog, Surigao City. The findings suggest that alcohol is the most effective liquid to be mixed with charcoal to create a functional ink, and it outperforms other liquids like water, kerosene, and gasoline when attempting to make unused Pentel pen ink reusable.

Chapter I: Introduction

Background of the Study

The Pentel pen is a valuable tool for many individuals, particularly students and teachers. This research was motivated by the practicality of Pentel pens and the challenges faced by the research team in selecting a product to investigate. The leader of the research team became intrigued by the idea of using charcoal as a substitute for liquefied petroleum gas in cooking, which led to the question of whether charcoal could also serve as an ink substitute.

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This study aims to answer that question through a series of experiments.

Review of Related Literature

Charcoal, made from wood, has a long history of use dating back to 30,000 BC when it was utilized for cave drawings. Over time, it found various applications, such as fuel for iron smelting, glass production, dyeing, construction, and filtration. In ancient times, different cultures independently discovered and formulated inks using materials like graphite, burnt bones, tar, pitch, and more.

In the modern era, the development of ink specifically for printing presses involved creating an oily, varnish-like ink made from soot, turpentine, and walnut oil.

Ink has evolved with technological advancements, and today, it is commonly associated with printer cartridges. Refilling ink cartridges and utilizing continuous ink supply systems for inkjet printers are widespread practices. However, these services are more prevalent in most countries than in the United States due to printer manufacturers' control over competition on retail shelves.

Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to address the following questions:

1. Can alcohol with charcoal be considered as ink?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using alcohol with charcoal as ink?
3. Which is more effective: commercial ink or alcohol with charcoal ink?

Significance of the Study

This research has significant implications for various stakeholders:

• Researchers: The findings will enable researchers to make recommendations for effective charcoal-based ink usage.
• Students: Students can benefit from using charcoal as an ink substitute to reduce the cost of purchasing commercial ink.
• Teachers: Teachers can use this technique at home for personal use and cross-cutting activities.
• Community: The community can maximize the use of charcoal as ink, reducing reliance on expensive commercial inks.

Scope and Limitation

This study focused on examining charcoal as an ink substitute, assessing its advantages and disadvantages, and comparing its effectiveness to commercial ink. It does not explore other potential applications of charcoal.

Definition of Terms

• Charcoal: The dark grey residue composed of impure carbon obtained by removing water and other volatile constituents from animal and vegetation substances.
• Ink: A liquid containing pigments and/or dyes used to color a surface for writing or drawing.
• Alcohol: An organic compound with a hydroxyl functional group (-OH) bound to a saturated carbon atom.
• Ethyl: An alkyl group derived from ethane, denoted as -C2H5.

Chapter II: Methodology

Research Design

This study employed a descriptive-experimental method to collect data, present findings, and analyze and interpret the conditions under investigation.

A. Materials

The experiment required the following materials, some of which were readily available in the kitchen, while others were recycled. Specific tools were acquired to ensure accurate measurements.

Materials used:

• Alcohols (ethyl and rubbing)
• Charcoal

Tools used:

• Mortar and pestle
• Graduated cylinder
• Funnel
• Bowl, tissue paper/rug

B. Procedure

The experiment was conducted in a spacious room away from children. The descriptive-experimental method was employed, which involved collecting data, presenting, analyzing, and interpreting the conditions under investigation.

Procedures:

B.1 Preparation of the Materials

• 1.1 Gather all materials in a child-free area, such as a spacious room.

B.2 Preparation of the Powdered Charcoal

• 2.1 Pound the charcoal in a mortar with the pestle until it reaches a fine consistency.

B.3 Testing of the Liquids

• 3.1 Experiment with the charcoal by adding the two alcohols to be tested (rubbing & ethyl alcohol).

B.4 Application of the Two Alcohols to Paper

• 4.1 Apply the Pentel pen to a paper to determine which of the two alcohols is more effective.

B.5 Data Collection

The data collected were tabulated, evaluated, and used to draw conclusions.

Methodology

1. Preparation of the Materials: Gather all materials in a child-free area, such as a spacious room.
2. Preparation of the Powdered Charcoal: Pound the charcoal in a mortar with the pestle until it reaches a fine consistency.
3. Testing of the Liquids: Experiment with the charcoal by adding the two alcohols to be tested (rubbing & ethyl alcohol).
4. Application of the Two Alcohols to Paper: Apply the Pentel pen to a paper to determine which of the two alcohols is more effective.
5. Data Collection: Collect data on the effectiveness of the two alcohols with charcoal.
6. Tabulation: Organize and tabulate the collected data for analysis.
7. Evaluation: Analyze and evaluate the results to draw conclusions.
8. Conclusion: Summarize the findings and conclude the experiment.

Chapter III: Results and Discussion

The data collected for the study on charcoal as a substitute for Pentel pen ink are presented, analyzed, and interpreted in this chapter.

Table 1: Testing the Alcohol with Charcoal

The experiments revealed that alcohol is an effective liquid substance when mixed with charcoal to produce functional ink.

Chapter IV: Summary, Findings, Conclusion, and Recommendation

Summary

The experiment aimed to determine if alcohol with charcoal could be used as ink, assess the advantages and disadvantages of using charcoal as ink, and compare the effectiveness of charcoal ink to commercial ink. The findings indicate that alcohol, when mixed with charcoal, is an effective ink substitute.

Findings

Based on the findings, water, kerosene, and gasoline are not suitable liquids for experimenting with unused Pentel ink. The study recommends using alcohol as the best way to reuse Pentel pen ink. Additionally, the color of the ink did not change to black, even though charcoal is black; it remained the same.

Conclusion

The study concludes that alcohol is the most effective liquid to mix with charcoal to create ink. Among the liquids tested, alcohol yielded the best results.

Recommendations

1. Further research should be conducted to thoroughly test the effectiveness of the two types of alcohol on unused Pentel pen ink.
2. Consider other research topics like the use of alcohol as a first aid solution for non-functional Pentel pens, charcoal as a substitute for shoe polish, and charcoal as a substitute for crayons.

References

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ink
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charcoal_(color)
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charcoal_(typeface)
• http://www.emedicinehealth.com/activated_charcoal/article_em.html