Students from Wrocław University of Science and Technology are working on hydroponic systems that can be an alternative to traditional cultivation. They have prepared two prototypes- a small one for home use and a large one for research.
The home system is made of easily accessible elements, it occupies approximately 1 sq m. surface. Thanks to this, it can be placed at home, in a greenhouse and even on a terrace. Young designers want to make the project available to all interested parties in the future. The second system is larger, much more advanced, and is used for research experiments. It has been equipped with lenses with which plant growth can be documented.
Hydroponics is the cultivation of plants without soil. Plants are most often placed in mineral wool through which water with mineral salts dissolved in it is filtered. They are properly irradiated, they grow faster, and due to the lack of soil, they weigh less and are a good solution, e.g. for crews staying at space stations.
