The sugarcane bagasse played a key role in a project that reinforces student leadership and the promotion of sustainability at the school. The waste, which is usually discarded at markets and sugar mills, is now being used to create biodegradable fibers capable of reducing the environmental impacts of the fashion industry.

This is the research project conducted by 18-year-old student Thiago Alves dos Santos at the Osvaldo da Costa Meireles Full-Time State High School in Luziânia (GO).

Brasil Escola spoke with the young man, who explained how the research project came about. He also shared details about his preparation for college entrance exams, which led to his acceptance into seven universities, including the University of São Paulo (USP) and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

See also:

• At age 12, he was accepted into UERJ and has already won 80 medals at science competitions

Sugarcane bagasse and sustainable fiber for the fashion industry

"From trash to clothing"—that's how the title of Thiago's research project begins. In his school's lab, he developed a lightweight, biodegradable textile fiber by extracting cellulose from sugarcane bagasse.

The idea came to him while he was participating in a research project on the production of paper from pequi leaves. During that project, he realized it was possible to make textile fibers from cellulose.

When he discovered that sugarcane bagasse could serve as an affordable raw material, Thiago was encouraged by his teacher, Gabrielle Rosa Silva, to continue his research. 

"I thought the proposal was bold, but promising. He’s always wanted to go to science fairs and needed a strong, original project,” she explains. She describes Thiago as determined, curious, and willing to try new things. “Thiago is very ambitious. He wants to compete and he wants to win. He works really hard toward that goal.”

Gabrielle Rosa Silva - Biology Teacher

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Thiago and his biology teacher, Gabrielle. Credit: Publicity / Goiás State Government.

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Science in School

It was necessary to carry out the steps involved in extracting and preparing cellulose from sugarcane bagasse. As a result, the material was transformed into a viscous solution capable of forming filaments after a coagulation process.

"As a result, the student produced fine threads with characteristics similar to those of conventional textile fibers." The student notes that the pressed material resembles silk—it is light and lustrous.

This process took 20 days to complete. Thiago estimates that it can be done in 15 hours.

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On the left, Thiago giving a presentation at the Brazilian Regional Bioinnovation Fair. Credit: File photo.

For every kilogram of bagasse, approximately 450 grams of fiber were obtained, which is equivalent to 3 square meters of material.

The student assesses the need for external partnerships to move on to the weaving or pressing stage on a larger scale.

See also:

• What is scientific research, and what is its purpose?

Reduction of Environmental Impacts

The main goal of Thiago's work is to reduce the environmental impacts caused by the fashion industry, a sector characterized by high water consumption, waste disposal, and the release of microplastics.

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On the left, sugarcane bagasse used in the process; in the other photo, a presentation of the pequi pulp project that led to Thiago's current work. Credit: Archive.

Among the material's advantages are the wide availability of sugarcane bagasse and its rapid decomposition in the environment if it is disposed of improperly.

Gabrielle points out that Thiago’s research is his own original work and should be submitted for publication. The project was entered in the Brazilian Science and Engineering Fair (Febrace) and in a national bio-inputs event in Bahia.

Thiago believes that the project showed just how much biology can transform a person's life. "It gave me knowledge in chemistry, physics, and sustainability. I think it took me to a reality that was totally different from what I was before."

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Process for extracting cellulose from sugarcane. Credit: File photo.

From March 16 to 20, the project will be featured at the Brazilian Science and Engineering Fair (Febrace), as the only public school representing the state of Goiás. This event is considered the largest national exhibition of science and engineering projects for students in K-12.

Admitted to 7 universities

Thiago was accepted into programs such as Biological Sciences at seven universities in all. Through the Unified Selection System (SiSU), he secured a spot at UFRJ, and through the University for All Program (ProUni), he received full scholarships to the Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás (PUC-GO) and the Catholic University of Brasília (UCB).

He participated in admissions processes that reserve spots exclusively for Olympic medalists. Because he performed well in science olympiads, he was accepted through these admissions exams into the Biological Sciences program at the São Paulo State University (Unesp), the State University of Campinas (Unicamp), and the Federal University of Ceará (UFC), as well as into the Food Sciences program at the University of São Paulo (USP).

Applications for the college entrance exams for Olympic scholarships were submitted based on medals won at the National Science Olympiad.

Preparation for the ENEM and college entrance exams

To prepare for the National High School Exam (Enem) and college entrance exams, Thiago focused on three key areas:

• Participation in science fairs
• Development of Research Projects
• Consistency in Studies

Throughout high school, the student participated in several academic competitions, such as the Brazilian Geography Olympiad, the National Science Olympiad, the Brazilian Neuroscience Olympiad, and the Brazilian Public School Mathematics Olympiad (Obmep). He even won medals and honorable mentions. For him, this type of competition helps develop scientific thinking, reasoning, and study discipline.

For students preparing for college entrance exams, the young man emphasizes that it is important not to study solely with the exam in mind, but to cultivate scientific curiosity and discipline over time. “Participating in academic competitions, working on projects, and seeking to learn beyond the classroom go a long way toward consolidating knowledge and also open up various academic opportunities,” he adds.

See also:

• 5 Benefits of Participating in Science Competitions 

By Lucas Afonso,
, Journalist

*Content is the sole responsibility of the partner.

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