Car Components of Fruit, Could it be?

Scientists hope the car manufacturers began using plastic of fruits.

Scientists from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, managed to build a vehicle component using pineapple, banana, coconut and other tropical fruits. This new generation of plastic components claimed stronger, lighter, and more environmentally friendly than petroleum-based plastics that exist today.

"The nature of plastic is incredible," said study leader Alcides Leao in a statement quoted by Inside Line, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Previously, the research results presented at a meeting of the American Chemical Society on Sunday.

According to him, the fruit produces micro and even nano-sized fibers. Called cellulose fibers can be processed into plastics that are 30 percent lighter, yet strong as Kevlar, the material used in armor and bullet-proof vest.

With a light weight plastic, he said, will help improve fuel economy. The use of fruit fiber material is also environmentally friendly because it is not derived from crude oil.

In addition, the plastic of fruits have a greater resistance to damage by heat and gasoline spills. "We have tested the nano-cellulose plastics, "he said.

Leao predict consumers will see the use of plastic fiber fruits on the vehicle within the next two years.

The team make a nano fiber by including fruits raw material into a tool similar to a pressure pot. They then add chemicals and then produce material that resembles a fine powder.

"This process is expensive, but it only takes one pound of nano-cellulose to produce 100 kg of super-strong lightweight plastic," he said.