BEIJING: Chinese researchers have unveiled what is described as the world’s first fixed-wing drone made using bamboo fibre, offering a lighter and more affordable alternative to conventional materials.
The unmanned aerial vehicle is about 20 per cent lighter than drones produced using traditional carbon fibre,
Xinhua News Agency reported.
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Researchers said the bamboo-based material used in the drone costs roughly a quarter of the price of conventional carbon fibre cloth.
They added that the use of bamboo fibre could reduce a drone’s overall structural costs by more than 20 per cent.
The development is aimed at addressing challenges in the drone industry, which commonly relies on composite materials such as carbon fibre that are energy-intensive to produce and difficult to degrade.
Bamboo offers a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option while still maintaining strength and durability.
The drone was jointly developed by the International Centre for Bamboo and Rattan in Beijing, Beihang University Ningbo Institute of Technology and Long Bamboo Technology Group.
Project lead Qin Daochun said the team had to overcome several technical challenges, including moulding processes and ensuring the material could adapt to different environmental conditions while maintaining strong mechanical performance.
