Bananas Are the Key to Greener Cars

Fruits like bananas and pineapples can be used to develop nanocellulose plastics, which can create lightweight, fuel-efficient cars.

By Kathryn Hawkins. Posted on April 06 2011

You probably already know that used French fry oil is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to power a car. But another food—bananas—could be a key ingredient in building a greener vehicle from the ground up.

Scientists from Brazil, where bananas abound, have found a way to use the fruit’s fibers to create “nanocellulose fibers,” which are both stronger and lighter than the petroleum-based plastics used in the construction of most vehicles. The fiber can also be derived from pineapples and numerous other plants.

The resulting plastics are made entirely from renewable ingredients, and are biodegradable. Best of all, they could go a long way towards reducing the weight of vehicles, which would in turn make them more fuel-efficient.

“The properties of these plastics are incredible,” said Alcides Leão, a researcher at Sao Paulo State University. “They are light, but very strong — 30 percent lighter and three to four times stronger.”

A single pound of the fruit fibers can produce 100 pounds of nanocellulosic plastic, and it seems there’s no limit to how the new green technology can be used.

“So far, we’re focusing on replacing automotive plastics,” said Leão. “But in the future, we may be able to replace steel and aluminum automotive parts using these plant-based nanocellulose materials.”

Filed under: Science, Weird,

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