Get the latest tech news

This "Smart" Soil Can Water and Feed Itself | A newly engineered type of soil can capture water out of thin air to keep plants hydrated and manage the release of fertilizer.

A newly engineered type of soil can capture water out of thin air to keep plants hydrated and manage controlled release of fertilizer for a constant supply of nutrients.

A newly engineered type of soil can capture water out of thin air to keep plants hydrated and manage controlled release of fertilizer for a constant supply of nutrients. “This new gel technology can reduce the burden on farmers by decreasing the need for frequent irrigation and fertilization,” said Jungjoon Park, a graduate student in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and who led the research. Meanwhile, traditional farming methods, especially irrigation and fertilizing, face significant challenges, including inefficient water usage and environmental land degradation.

Get the Android app