A team of researchers from Malaysia built a drone from recycled pineapple leaves

Many consumers are now advocating to lessen the waste coming from electric devices and appliances. Some brands listen to their pleas by eliminating some accessories from smartphones. There are other companies that claim they are utilizing eco-friendly materials. And some, invent drones from pineapples?

Biodegradable and eco-friendly drones in the future

Yes, you heard us right. A group of researchers from Malaysia has developed a method to transform the fiber found in discarded pineapple leaves. After that, they turn these fibers into a durable material that is strong enough for building drone frames.

Professor Mohamed Sultan leads the research team from Outta University in Malaysia. They had been working on evolving sustainable ways of using pineapple waste. Farmers in the Hulu Langat province produce those pineapple waste.

The first step of the process is transforming the pineapple leaf into a fiber. They are going to use that fiber as a cheap and disposable part of drones. At the same time, they consider a wider aerospace application to make it work.

Moreover, the team leader of the research group said that such drones made out of the bio-composite material had a higher strength-to-weight ratio than those made from synthetic fibers. Also, they were cheaper, lighter, and easily disposable. Thus, making such parts to be biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Do they have a working prototype?

The team said that prototype drones have been undergoing testing. These drones are allegedly able to fly to a height of about 1,000 meters (3,280 ft) and stay in the air for about 20 minutes. They aim to scale up the size of the drones and the amount of load they can carry. The reason behind this is to expand the application of such drones to a variety of situations, including agriculture and aerial inspection.

The goal is to provide innovative solutions for farmers that will result in improved yields and a more pleasant farming experience, said William Alvisse of the Malaysian Unmanned Drones Activist Society. Mr. Alvisse is an NGO involved in the project.

It is hoped that the project will boost revenues for pineapple farmers in the country.