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Researchers Transform Pollen into Sustainable Materials

9/2/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore are converting pollen into sustainable materials such as paper and sponges.
They use alkaline solutions to transform pollen's rigid outer shell into a flexible microgel.
Pollen is plentiful and harvesting it is non-destructive to plants, offering a sustainable alternative.
The team is focused on overcoming challenges to commercialize pollen-based products for environmental benefits.

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Story summary

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore are converting pollen into sustainable materials such as paper and sponges.
They use alkaline solutions to transform pollen's rigid outer shell into a flexible microgel.
Pollen is plentiful and harvesting it is non-destructive to plants, offering a sustainable alternative.
The team is focused on overcoming challenges to commercialize pollen-based products for environmental benefits.