Other advantages of the Soy Marx over regular markers are increased
brightness, better consistency and faster drying time, according to
team members. They also calculated that the soy-based markers would
be cheaper to produce.
Durack says the team decided to create the markers for their broad-based
appeal. "We wanted to make something for kids that would appeal
to teachers, parents and children," she says. "The markers
are also more natural and a fun product."
One of the most difficult steps in making the markers was keeping the
ink components from separating. The team experimented, coming up with
a two-step emulsification process that decreased the separation of oil
and water in the ink.
While the team members were also friends, they found working together
on a project to be a challenge.
"Keeping everyone on the same page in an involved experiment like
this one quickly became more of an issue than the actual laboratory
work," Costigan says. "I cannot begin to express what this
competition has taught me in terms of team interaction in the workplace,
except perhaps to say that I've developed a much stronger respect for
those in leadership positions."
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