It's been revealed cars made from pineapples and bananas could soon be among the fruits of the green revolution. Scientists in Brazil have used fibres from the plants to create a new generation of super-strong and super-light automotive plastics, and say they may also be used to create engine parts. They say manufacturers are already testing the plastics and could be using them in cars within two years. Dr Alcides Leao from Sao Paulo State University says reducing the weight of cars will improve fuel economy.
He says the fibre-reinforced plastics are also more impervious to heat, spilled petrol, water and oxygen than ordinary automotive plastics. Leao says the plastics also have potential in medical applications including artificial heart valves, ligaments and hip joints.
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