Imec: Japanese company makes plants grow on thin films instead of soil (video)

Dr. Serkan Toto is currently working as the first and only Asian-based writer for the TechCrunch network, mainly covers with Japan technology and Web companies for TechCrunch, CrunchGear and MobileCrunch. Serkan also works full-time as an independent Internet and mobile industry consultant with a focus on the Japanese market. He is Saint lingual, holds an MBA and a doctorate in economics. Serkan ... ? Read More

Here are some amazing tech from Japan: Tokyo-based Mebiol works on plant cultivation technology of membrane-based, Imec, which makes it possible to give the plants grow on the thin film instead of soil. The film is made of water absorbent material called Hydrogel and just "tens of microns thick.

Mebiol said that tomatoes, radishes, cucumbers, melons, etc. have up to 80% less water to grow compared with conventional crops, and that 1 g SkyGel (this is a brand name of Hydrogel) absorbs and holds 100 ml of water. Unlike soil bacteria or viruses have no chance to cause harm to plants. Another advantage is that the SkyGel can be used on various surfaces, including sand, concrete or ice (see this PDF for examples of recent years).

The film can be used for plant growth for 2-3 years before it needs to be replaced, according to the company.

This video was shot in Tokyo provides Diginfonews deeper (advantages and disadvantages of Imec):

View the original article here