Building With Pollen

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Pollen Art

Did you know you can make flowers from pollen? Researchers at Nanyang Technological University figured out how:

• Pollen grains are hard to repurpose due to a tough outer shell

• Treating them with an alkaline solution removes the shell

• Resulting in a moisture sensitive, uber-malleable material

Researchers used this new material to create water-activated, shape-shifting objects, such as a blooming artificial flower. The biodegradeable material may offer a sustainable alternative to synthetic polymers. And hilarious prank tissues.

Achooo!

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