As many pollinating insect species are gradually disappearing due to various factors, the idea of using bubble-shooting robots for flower pollination emerges as an effective solution that could save humanity in the future.
Bees flying near a beehive in Wehrheim, near Frankfurt, Germany. (Photo: AP).
According to the South China Morning Post (Hong Kong, China), a study published in the journal iScience on June 17 revealed that a Japanese scientist successfully demonstrated that bubbles can be used for pollination to help fruit-bearing plants.
This is considered a significant discovery that gives humanity more opportunities to create food sources in the coming decades as bee populations face a serious decline due to various factors.
Ejiro Miyako, an associate professor at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology based in Nomi, stated that he had researched robotic pollination methods for many years but had failed because the drone he was using would crush the flowers.
The quirky idea of testing soap bubbles suddenly came to Miyako’s mind while he was playing with his son in a nearby park. The scientist was inspired when one of the harmless bubbles burst on the face of his three-year-old boy.
Mr. Miyako was inspired to research when he saw his son playing with soap bubbles. (Photo: AFP).
Subsequently, Miyako and his colleague Xi Yang used microscopes to demonstrate the ability of soap bubbles to carry pollen grains. They experimented in five different directions and discovered a solution called lauramidopropyl betaine – commonly used in the production of cosmetic products – to enhance bubble formation. These soap bubbles can carry pollen grains and, upon bursting, deposit them on flowers.
The scientists also added calcium to support the germination process and create optimal pH balance. They filled a bubble gun with a solution containing pollen and shot it into a pear orchard. With approximately 2,000 pollen grains per bubble, the scientists found that 95% of the trees produced fruit.
A soap bubble containing pollen in Mr. Eijiro Miyako’s experiment. (Photo: Eijiro Miyako/AFP).
“It sounds unbelievable, but soap bubble pollination is very effective. This method can ensure the quality of fruit similar to traditional manual pollination, while manual pollination is a much more labor-intensive process,” said Miyako.
A street artist creating giant soap bubbles in Dresden, Germany. (Photo: EPA).
Eventually, the researchers conducted their experiment in the sky. By attaching a pollen-filled bubble gun to a small drone programmed to fly along a predetermined route, they targeted a cluster of lilies. Flying at an altitude of 2 meters and a speed of 2 meters per second, the drone successfully completed its mission with a 90% success rate.
Miyako stated he is negotiating with a company to commercialize this technology in the future. However, further monitoring is needed to improve the accuracy of the robots and to conduct tests on various flower types.
The bubble gun filled with pollen attached to a drone. (Photo: Reuters).
This is believed to be the first research on the properties of soap bubbles and pollen carriers.
The researchers hope this method can address the decline of pollinating insects, share the burden with labor-intensive artificial pollination, and reduce the skyrocketing costs of pollen.
Pollinating insects like bees still play a crucial role in modern agriculture, significantly increasing the yields of various crops, from rapeseed to fruit trees. However, they continue to face increasing threats in this century due to the indiscriminate use of pesticides, herbicides, and other factors leading to the deaths of millions of insect species globally.
