A group of Malaysian researchers have developed a method to convert fiber found in discarded pineapple leaves into a durable material that can be used to make drone frames.
A group of researchers from Outta University in Malaysia is working on a project led by Professor Mohamed Sultan. Researchers have worked to develop sustainable ways to use pineapple waste produced by farmers in Hulu Langat province, near the capital city of Kuala Lumpur.
The process includes converting a pineapple leaf into fiber, which can then be used as cheap and disposable drone parts, and broader aerospace applications are also being considered.
The head of the research team said such drones, made from biocomposite material, have a higher strength-to-weight ratio than those made from synthetic fibers, and are also cheaper, lighter and easier to dispose of, making the parts biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
The prototype drone is being tested and can climb to an altitude of about 1000 meters (3280 feet) and stay aloft for about 20 minutes, the team said.
The research team hopes to increase the size of the drones and the load they can carry. This will expand the scope of such drones in a wide variety of situations, including agriculture and aviation inspection.
The goal is to provide farmers with innovative solutions that lead to higher yields and more pleasant farming, ”said William Alwiss of the Malaysian Drone Activists Society, a non-governmental organization involved in the project.
It is hoped that the project, launched in 2017, will increase the incomes of pineapple farmers in the country, who previously threw away the stems and leaves of annual fruits after harvest.
(source)
