A new study improved on the versatility of pure magnesium by mixing in an atypical material: dried leaf powder. An agricultural waste byproduct of mangos, this dried leaf powder increased the metal’s dampening ability without sacrificing its strength or durability. Now, scientists from the National University of Singapore have proposed a one-of-a-kind “alloy” that combines fallen leaves—agricultural waste from mango crops—with pure magnesium. its ability to withstand vibration) enhanced by a staggering 54 percent over pure magnesium. The leaves were then ball-milled and dried in an oven, resulting in a dried leaf powder.