SBIR Phase I: Engineered Biodegradable Pods used to Create an Optimal Growing Enviornemnt for Seedlings

这个SBIR第一阶段项目将开发一种可生物降解的面料“豆荚”，用于火灾或伐木后地区的再造林。该公司正在利用其在纤维编织方面的专业知识来制造一种创新的设备，这种设备允许幼苗在土壤表面生长，并消除了人工种植的需要。该项目将研究使用可生物降解豆荚作为传统塑料种植容器的替代品的可行性。该豆荚包含所有必要的土壤、化肥和养分，作为传统塑料种植容器的替代品。该项目的更广泛/商业影响将是提高全美重新造林项目的效率和降低成本。这可能会对国家林地的林业业务和生态多样性产生重大影响。种植劳动力将减少，产品将允许在难以到达的地区进行有效的空中或车辆分配。由于松树皮甲虫侵袭和气候变化等多种原因，北美森林的损失最近有所加快。取代失去的树木将成为未来的迫切需要。该项目将最终取代因自然过程和人类活动而失去的树木。

This SBIR Phase I project will develop a biodegradable fabric "pod" for use in reforestation of areas after fires or logging. The company is applying it's expertise in fiber weaving to manufacture an innovative device that allows the growth of seedlings on top of the soil and eliminates the need for manual planting. This project will examine the feasibility of using the biodegradable pods that contain all the necessary soil, fertilizers, and nutrients needed as an alternative to traditional plastic growing containers.The broader/commercial impact of the project will be an increase in the efficiency and reduction of the cost of reforestation projects throughout the US. This will likely have dramatic impact on forestry businesses and ecological diversity in the nation's forest land. Planting labor would be reduced and products would allow effective aerial or vehicular distribution in difficult to access areas. Loss of North American forests has accelerated recently due to a variety of reasons such as pine bark beetle infestations and climate change. Replacing lost trees will become an urgent need in the future. The project will result in the eventual replacement of trees lost through natural processes and human activities.