Theme

Science and Technology

Effects of Foam Type and Thickness on Impact Resistance, Thermal Insulation, and Cost-Effectiveness of Medical Containers for Drone Delivery

Title in Filipino [Pamagat ng Pananaliksik]

Epekto ng Uri at Kapal ng Foam sa Impact Resistance, Thermal Insulation, at Cost-effectiveness ng Medical Containers para sa Drone Delivery

Authors

• Josh Henry C. Soriano, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Eriel V. Fonte, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Lambertsus S. Novera, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Nicolai Paolo B. Villarin, De La Salle UniversityFollow
• Joel B. Jalon, Jr., De La Salle UniversityFollow

Research Advisor

Joel B. Jalon, Jr.

Abstract

Accessible healthcare remains a challenge for rural communities lacking reliable infrastructure for medical supply delivery. Delivery drones have recently emerged as a viable alternative, dropping medical containers during flight. However, the effectiveness of different foam types and thicknesses combined with corrugated cardboard as shock-absorbing materials in a medical container for delivery drones has yet to be tested. Thus, this study designed cost-effective containers using corrugated cardboard and multiple foam types and thicknesses, aiming to preserve the integrity of the contents, withstand impact, and control temperatures. Four foam types—polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, and expanded polystyrene (EPS) —were tested at 1 cm, 2 cm, and 3 cm thicknesses using a 4x3 experimental factorial and between-groups research design. Temperature insulation was assessed by recording internal temperatures every minute for 1 hour across three trials, aiming to maintain the ideal range of 2–6 oC. Impact resistance was tested by dropping each container from a height of 16.82 meters three times, and the integrity of the medical contents was checked after each drop. The cost-effectiveness of each container was evaluated using a descriptive ranking approach. All containers protected their contents after multiple drops; however, only containers with a 3 cm thickness, regardless of foam type, and 2 cm-thick EPS foam consistently maintained the ideal temperature range. Considering both performance and price, a 3 cm-thick polyethylene foam container emerged as the most cost-effective design. Future studies should include quantitative analysis of shock absorption and vibration using appropriate sensors, and can test additional foam types and thicknesses.

Abstract in Filipino [Abstrak]

Nanatiling hamon ang akses sa serbisyong pangkalusugan sa mga liblib na komunidad dahil sa kakulangan ng maaasahang sistema ng paghahatid ng medical supply. Sa kontekstong ito, ginagamit ang mga delivery drone bilang alternatibong paraan ng paghahatid, maging pagbababa ng mga medical container. Gayunpaman, hindi pa lubos na nasusuri ang bisa ng iba’t ibang foam type at thickness na pinagsama sa corrugated cardboard bilang shock-absorbing na materyal sa mga medical container para sa mga delivery drone. Layunin ng pag-aaral na ito na makabuo ng mga cost-effective na medical container na kayang mapanatili ang maayos na kondisyon ng laman nito, makayanan ang impact, at makontrol ang temperatura. Gumamit ang pag-aaral ng 4×3 experimental factorial design upang suriin ang apat na uri ng foam—polystyrene, polyurethane, polyethylene, at expanded polystyrene (EPS)—sa tatlong kapal (1 cm, 2 cm, at 3 cm). Sinukat naman ang temperature insulation gamit ang pagtatala ng temperatura kada minuto sa loob ng isang oras, na may target na range na 2–6 °C, habang sinuri ang impact resistance sa pamamagitan ng tatlong ulit na pagbagsak ng bawat container mula sa taas na 16.82 m. Tinasa rin ang cost-effectiveness gamit ang descriptive ranking. Lumabas sa mga resulta nanatiling buo at ligtas ang laman sa lahat ng container, kahit sa paulit-ulit na mga drop test. Gayunpaman, ang mga lalagyan na may 3 cm thickness, anuman ang foam type, at ang 2 cm EPS foam lamang ang tuloy-tuloy na nakapagpanatili ng ideal na temperatura. Batay sa pagsusuri ng performance at gastos, ang 3 cm-thick polyethylene foam container ang lumitaw bilang may pinakamataas na cost-effective na disenyo. Iminumungkahi sa mga susunod na pag-aaral ang pagsasagawa ng quantitative analysis ng shock absorption at vibration gamit ang angkop na mga sensor, gayundin ang pagsusuri sa iba pang uri at kapal ng foam.

Recommended Citation

Soriano, J. H. C., Fonte, E. V., Novera, L. S., Villarin, N. P. B., & Jalon, J. B., Jr. (2025). Effects of foam type and thickness on impact resistance, thermal insulation, and cost-effectiveness of medical containers for drone delivery. Sinaya, (4)1, 22–44. https://doi.org/10.59588/3027-9283.1274