Students of the Institute of Physics have developed a device that retains moisture in the soil
The issue of preserving moisture in the soil is extremely important. One of the answers to it was received by students of the Institute of Physics Olesya Ustyanskaya and Ilya Laptik.
According to a report by the International Organization for the Protection of Gardens (BGCI), the results of which were published in the online publication TechInsider, about 30% of tree species are on the verge of extinction.
Under the guidance of the head of the Department of Innovation Elena Revzina, a team of students is developing a startup project "Collecting rainwater, protecting against drying out and preserving moisture in the soil by covering the trunk of the plant with a polypropylene platform."
The idea of the project belongs to Yulia Yudina, who graduated in 2022. Its development interested the teachers of the Institute of Physics, who proposed to develop this idea. This is how the project "Plant Irrigation Device" appeared, which was noted at the Innopolis University at the idea stage, where it received acceleration support. Olesya Ustyanskaya and Ilya Laptik joined the development, already within the framework of the Startup as a Diploma program.
The aim of the project is to create a catchment platform that can be positioned near the trunk of the plant and reduce water consumption during irrigation.
The platform will be a circular plate with sections and grooves. It is in them that dew or any other precipitation will settle, and then gradually drain into the soil. In addition, the platform will not allow the earth to dry out. On hot days, moisture will evaporate from the ground surface and condense on the back of the platform.
It is planned that the device will be made of polypropylene, a material that is highly durable and easy to use and maintain. The main thing is that the material for the production of the platform can be obtained from recycled plastic.
The platform is suitable for various plants, both trees and shrubs.
"In fact, trees are not the main area of application," explained developer Olesya Ustyanskaya, "for the most part, the development is aimed at strawberries, grapes and other plants that need abundant watering. We have set ourselves the task of reducing irrigation water consumption, thereby saving time and resources."
The device is aimed at different consumers – from summer residents to heads of large farms. The project is currently under active development. The guys are working on design options, considering the possibility of expanding the functionality of the platform. After the creation of the prototype, it is planned to conduct field tests. An application for a utility model has already been submitted to the Federal Service for Intellectual Property of the Russian Federation.
Aelita Ponomaryova
Translated by Lyudmila Yefremova
