Oct 8, 2022·edited Apr 26, 2023Liked by Sarah Constantin
Regarding these three criteria:
* fewer moving parts = fewer things to screw up.
* low-tech and low-touch is good
* forgotten discoveries from before 1990
One possible innovation to look into might be the Dixon Land Imprinter, a low-tech mechanical device that can help reclaim eroded or damaged soil – and maybe even help reverse desertification in some arid locations:
Land imprinters are roller devices pulled by tractors, with specially-shaped angles that poke the ground to create funnel-shaped holes. When seeded with native grasses, the low places naturally attract airborne mulch and nutrients, and also retain rainwater and runoff. That helps nourish and protect those seeds and their subsequent seedlings. These grasses grow, stabilizing the soil, building up permeable topsoil, and retaining moisture. Brush and even trees will then sometimes follow, over time.
Down in New Mexico, Charles Cassagnol of Western Ecology LLC has championed the late Bob Dixon's design (originally from the 1980s) and has been building modern versions of these land imprinters:
AIUI, they're working with staffers from Los Alamos National Laboratory (via the LANL-sponsored New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program) on further design improvements.
Regarding these three criteria:
* fewer moving parts = fewer things to screw up.
* low-tech and low-touch is good
* forgotten discoveries from before 1990
One possible innovation to look into might be the Dixon Land Imprinter, a low-tech mechanical device that can help reclaim eroded or damaged soil – and maybe even help reverse desertification in some arid locations:
https://twitter.com/aronro/status/1534196790798340097
Land imprinters are roller devices pulled by tractors, with specially-shaped angles that poke the ground to create funnel-shaped holes. When seeded with native grasses, the low places naturally attract airborne mulch and nutrients, and also retain rainwater and runoff. That helps nourish and protect those seeds and their subsequent seedlings. These grasses grow, stabilizing the soil, building up permeable topsoil, and retaining moisture. Brush and even trees will then sometimes follow, over time.
Down in New Mexico, Charles Cassagnol of Western Ecology LLC has championed the late Bob Dixon's design (originally from the 1980s) and has been building modern versions of these land imprinters:
https://westernecology.com
AIUI, they're working with staffers from Los Alamos National Laboratory (via the LANL-sponsored New Mexico Small Business Assistance Program) on further design improvements.
Awesome! 🤘
Thanks for the information about wearable hormone sensors. I agree this is an area worthy of a lot more R&D and commercial development.