Researchers in Singapore have developed a unique method of processing plant pollen to create eco-friendly materials such as paper, sponges, and sensors. This new technology could become an alternative to plastic and cellulose, paving the way for sustainable production in the future.
In the laboratory of Professor Nam-Joon Cho at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), scientists have created an innovative approach to using plant pollen as a biomaterial for producing environmentally friendly and multifunctional products.
After a decade of research, Cho’s team discovered a chemical treatment that transforms pollen’s tough outer shell—sporopollenin—into a soft microgel. This gel can be used to produce thin films, flexible paper, or porous sponges. The resulting materials are strong, flexible, UV-resistant, and responsive to changes in humidity and acidity.
According to the researchers, pollen-based materials could serve as the foundation for “smart” devices such as sensors, medical trackers, and even components for solar panels. Pollen paper is more sustainable than traditional paper: it can be printed on and then easily cleaned for reuse without harming the environment.
Moreover, when frozen, the microgel turns into sponges that can be applied in medicine (for example, to stop bleeding) or in environmental protection, such as cleaning up oil spills.
Other scientists are also exploring pollen’s potential. For instance, Noemi Csaba from the University of Santiago de Compostela uses hollow pollen shells for drug delivery inside the body.
The Singapore team primarily works with sunflower and camellia pollen sourced from beekeepers in China. A single sunflower can produce up to 67,000 pollen grains per season, making it an abundant and renewable raw material.
Experts believe that pollen is an underappreciated natural resource that could play a crucial role in developing sustainable and eco-friendly technologies of the future.
