KEIDS2-1681
UV Filter from Dust: Engineering Pollen Microgels for Sustainable Photoprotection
Topic
IDS2. Frontiers in Cosmetic Science and Technology (Sponsored by COSMAX)
When and Where
Sep 29, 2026
10:50 - 11:15
Room 102
Session Chairs
Hyosung AN
Presenter(s)
Nam Joon CHO (Nanyang Technological University)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
- Pollen is commonly regarded as airborne biological dust associated with allergenicity and environmental nuisance. Here, we transform this ubiquitous natural microparticle into a functional ultraviolet (UV)-protective material through microgel engineering. By processing pollen grains into deformable, non-germinating microgels while retaining their intrinsic light-interacting architecture and biochemical functionality, we establish a nature-derived platform for photoprotection. The resulting pollen microgels exhibit effective attenuation of UV radiation and can be formulated into continuous surface coatings capable of providing UV protection comparable to conventional sunscreen formulations. Beyond optical shielding, the pollen microgel layer provides an additional thermal-management function, reducing surface temperature by approximately 5–9 °C under solar exposure. This combination of UV protection and passive cooling differentiates the material from conventional molecular UV filters, which are primarily designed to absorb or scatter radiation without regulating heat transfer. The pollen-derived system also addresses emerging concerns surrounding the environmental persistence and ecological impact of conventional sunscreen ingredients. Rather than relying on newly synthesized organic UV absorbers or inorganic nanoparticles, the approach valorizes a naturally abundant biological material through minimal structural transformation. Importantly, the engineered pollen microgels are rendered non-germinating, enabling the functional use of pollen while mitigating its biological reproductive activity. Preliminary ecological assessment further indicates compatibility with coral-associated environments, supporting its potential development as a more environmentally considerate photoprotective material. Conceptually, this work demonstrates a shift from viewing pollen as biological dust to recognizing it as a programmable natural material. The hierarchical pollen architecture provides a pre-existing microstructured platform that can be converted into a soft, processable microgel without reconstructing its functionality from molecular components. This “dust-to-UV-filter” strategy therefore illustrates how overlooked biological particulates can be transformed into high-value functional materials. More broadly, pollen microgel technology offers a scalable pathway toward multifunctional, bio-derived UV protection combining photoprotection, thermal regulation, environmental compatibility, and materials valorisation within a Cross Economy framework.
