On 18 – 20 March 2026, our IMPACT fellow Dr Eric Gaba has participated in the “Science is Wonderful” event, held at Maison de la Poste in Brussels. For Eric, this was an inspiring and rewarding experience.
At his booth, visitors had the chance to discover the Pine-Prosthesis up close. They could see it, touch it, and learn about the remarkable idea behind it: how pineapple leaf fibers can be transformed into a sustainable innovation such as a prosthesis. Many were genuinely amazed by the concept, and several participants even had the special opportunity to write their names on the Pine-socket, making the experience even more personal and memorable.
Another highlight was the hands-on assembly activity. Participants were invited to assemble a prosthesis themselves, allowing them to experience firsthand how a transtibial prosthesis is put together. This practical exercise helped bring the technology to life and gave visitors a deeper appreciation of the design and engineering involved.
Eric also introduced visitors to the raw material at the heart of the project. They were able to see, touch, and even split open a real pineapple leaf. For many, this was their first encounter with a part of the pineapple plant they had never seen before, since the leaves are usually discarded as waste after the fruit is harvested and never make it to supermarket shelves. This simple but striking experience helped people understand how agricultural waste can be reimagined as something valuable and impactful.
Overall, it was a deeply fulfilling experience. For many participants, the Pine-Prosthesis was a truly out-of-the-box idea, one that sparked curiosity and showed clear social, environmental, and economic potential.
Well done, Eric!
