High-resolution color images can be printed on pollen, according to research.
Pollen paper making processsimilar to traditional soap making. Using potassium hydroxide, the scientists first removed the cellular components housed in tough sunflower pollen grains and then turned them into soft microgel particles. At this stage, the scientists also extracted the allergy-causing component in the pollen, making the paper hypoallergenic. Unwanted particles were excluded from the resulting microgel using deionized water. The researchers then placed it in a 22 x 22 cm mold to air dry. The result is a sheet of paper about 0.03 mm thick, about half the thickness of a human hair.
To demonstrate the ability to print yourOn paper, scientists printed a painting from the Sunflowers series by Vincent van Gogh using a laser printer. The paper went through the printer without any tears or damage. The colors of the image printed on pollen paper were slightly different from the same image printed on plain paper, while the resolution and clarity of the image on both types were comparable.
Research shows that from paper,developed by a team at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, an image can be "erased". To do this, scientists immersed it for two minutes in an alkaline laboratory reagent. The sample swelled as a result of which the toner layer was mechanically destroyed and torn off. After that, the specimen was left to shrink in ethanol for five minutes and dried in air. After treatment with acetic acid, the paper was again ready for printing.
“This innovative, print-ready pollenpaper can become an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional paper, which is produced using a multi-step process with a significant negative environmental impact, ”the scientists say.
“Through this study, we have shown thatwe can print high resolution color images on paper made from natural plant material, made non-allergenic thanks to a process we have recently developed. In addition, we have demonstrated the ability to do this repeatedly without destroying the paper, making this material a viable eco-friendly alternative to conventional wood-based paper,” said Professor Subra Suresh, senior author of the paper.
In addition to sunflower pollen, scientists have discovered that camellia and lotus pollen grains can also be used to make paper-like material.
The team of scientists also showed that they can make pollen paper roll into various 3D configurations by printing different patterns on the paper.
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