Unexpected Use Found For Discarded Materials

If you’re like me and your brain just CANNOT handle anymore of the American political media circus (hello, is this 2021 or 2020-1?), I have the perfect distraction for you.

A team of Malaysian researchers has found a way to turn pineapple leaves into drone parts. Whaaat, you say? I know, I say! Totally weird, very unexpected, but kind of cool.

“We are transforming the leaf of the pineapple into a fibre that can be used for aerospace application, basically inventing a drone,” a Professor and lead researcher told Reuters.

The pineapple leaf fibre is stronger, lighter, and cheaper than its synthetic counterparts. It’s also easier to dispose of. If damaged, the drone frame can be buried and expected to degrade in two weeks.

I’m no drone aficionado, but I think this would be pretty exciting news for those who use drones in a hobby or profession. I don’t know how long it takes for new developments like this one to hit the market, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

Professor Sultan’s team at Malaysia’s Putra University plans to create larger drones suitable for imagery sensors, agricultural purposes, and aerial inspections. They’re creative as heck (when I see a fruit I just think, fruit) but the project was borne partially from creativity and partially from necessity. Farmers in the region wanted to reduce waste and improve efficiency when the project began in 2017. Now, while struggling under Covid-19, they may have also found a way to increase income during these trying times.