Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Contact    |    RSS icon Twitter icon Facebook icon  
Unexplained Mysteries
You are viewing: Home > News > Science & Technology > News story
Welcome Guest ( Login or Register )  
All ▾
Search Submit

Science & Technology

Scientists develop see-through soil

By T.K. Randall
September 22, 2012 · Comment icon 11 comments

Image Credit: CC 2.0 Derek Harper
The transparent soil will help experts observe the way in which plant roots grow and develop underground.
It took many years of experimentation with soil-like materials to produce a formula that worked, the result is soil comprised of small pellets of a synthetic material called Nafion which is sometimes used in fuel cells. The soil isn't naturally transparent however when combined with a special liquid solution the combination of the two render the resulting mixture see-through.

The achievement is an important step in observing and understanding plant roots, something that researchers hope will lead to new ways to improve crops and avoid outbreaks of food poisoning. "There are so many things to discover in soil, and we don't know yet what they are," said biologist Lionel Dupuy.
The clear soil was developed by theoretical biologist Lionel Dupuy at the James Hutton Institute in Dundee, Scotland.


Source: Discovery News | Comments (11)




Other news and articles
Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #2 Posted by Hilander 12 years ago
Clean dirt, will the food be any good?
Comment icon #3 Posted by Hippycrite 12 years ago
A synthetic compound, modified to mimic soil chemistry, watered with a customised liquid, using genetically-modified e. coli. Anything real besides the jellyfish juice? No, really I hope they are successful and can find a way to apply their findings to actual soil.
Comment icon #4 Posted by sergeantflynn 12 years ago
Let`s raise a glass or two . Soil has been untouched for far too long . It`s time for change .
Comment icon #5 Posted by Jackofalltrades 12 years ago
"If we understand better the contamination route, then we can develop strategies to limit the transfer of E. coli to the food chain," Just hope they can contain or "develop strategies to limit the transfer" of any contamination that they may make in the process
Comment icon #6 Posted by Michelle 12 years ago
It looks like the water absorbing polymer crystals that have been on the market for years.
Comment icon #7 Posted by Lava_Lady 12 years ago
Let`s raise a glass or two . Soil has been untouched for far too long . It`s time for change . Yes, I was just looking at some soil the other day thinking, how boring... I wish it were different somehow. Unbeknownst to me, others had the same thoughts. Imagine my surprise.
Comment icon #8 Posted by meryt-tetisheri 12 years ago
Something mothers all over the world will be enthusiastic about - clean dirt... Sometimes it's the mother who likes to play in the dirt!
Comment icon #9 Posted by Taun 12 years ago
If this stuff goes into widespread use... I guess we can all say we are older than dirt!... (up till now I've always said "I may not be older than dirt... but I was a beta tester"...)
Comment icon #10 Posted by King Fluffs 12 years ago
I want some now...
Comment icon #11 Posted by Bavarian Raven 12 years ago
Lol, won't this cause potatoes to turn green and affect other root crops that need darkness?


Please Login or Register to post a comment.


Our new book is out now!
Book cover

The Unexplained Mysteries
Book of Weird News

 AVAILABLE NOW 

Take a walk on the weird side with this compilation of some of the weirdest stories ever to grace the pages of a newspaper.

Click here to learn more

We need your help!
Patreon logo

Support us on Patreon

 BONUS CONTENT 

For less than the cost of a cup of coffee, you can gain access to a wide range of exclusive perks including our popular 'Lost Ghost Stories' series.

Click here to learn more

Recent news and articles