SBIR Phase I: Development of Novel Weed and Moisture Control Mat for Tree Protection

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目将研究利用回收纸尿裤开发一种新型杂草控制和保湿（WCMC）垫用于树木保护的可行性。一次性尿布是美国处理最多的家庭产品，占城市固体废物的2%以上。大多数弃置尿布目前都堆积在垃圾填埋场。通过利用一次性纸尿裤的许多独特功能，WCMC树垫产品将促进幼树的生长，防止干旱压力，并允许在干旱或半干旱地区，退化的土壤和荒地上重新造林/造林。它还可以减少城市森林的用水量和维护成本。WCMC产品将通过其强大的保水能力和抑制杂草生长，最大限度地利用有限的水资源。将调查这种产品在保护幼树免受干旱条件影响方面的有效性、使用低成本和无害环境的制造技术的可行性以及潜在的环境影响。这个项目的广泛影响/商业潜力将是三重的。如果成功，它将使1)减少固体废物的积累，2)更快、更容易和更便宜的造林/再造林过程；3)减少对环境的影响。WCMC产品的商业潜力将是全球性的，并将侧重于在干旱/半干旱地区以及城市地区的使用。WCMC的产品可以服务的市场包括杂草屏障，花园覆盖物，水果和坚果树护理，城市造林和景观美化。预计市场规模约为12 - 19亿美元。该产品将帮助树木在干旱压力下生存，减少用水量和种植后护理。这自然会导致温室气体排放的减少和碳固存的增加，并减少碳、氮和水的足迹。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will study the feasibility of developing a novel weed control and moisture conservation (WCMC) mat from recycled diapers for tree protection. Disposable diapers are the most disposed household products in United States and contribute more than 2% to municipal solid waste. The majority of disposed diapers are currently accumulated in landfill fields. By capitalizing on many of the unique features of disposable diapers, the WCMC tree mat product will promote the growth of young trees, protects against drought stress, and allows reforestation/afforestation in arid or semiarid areas, on degraded soils, and on wastelands. It can also reduce water usage and maintenance costs for urban forests. The WCMC product will permit maximum usage of limited water resources by its strong water retention capability and by its suppression of weed growth. Investigations will be carried out on the effectiveness of this product in protecting young trees against drought conditions, the feasibility of using low-cost and environmentally benign manufacturing technologies, and the potential environmental impacts. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project will be threefold. If successful, it will enable 1) reduction in solid waste accumulation, 2) faster, easier, and cheaper afforestation / reforestation processes; and 3) reduced environmental impacts. The commercial potential of the WCMC products will be global, and will focus on usage in arid/semiarid as well as urban areas. The WCMC products can serve markets including weed barrier, garden mulch, fruit and nuts tree care, and urban forestation and landscaping. The estimated market size is about $1.2-1.9 billion. This product will help trees survive through drought stresses with less water consumption and less after-planting care. It will naturally lead to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and increased carbon sequestration, and to a reduction in the carbon, nitrogen and water footprints.