Existing technologies

Why Food Security

Mumbai's People

Concepts & Theories

Existing Technologies

Responsible Design

Design Process

End Product

Implementation

Resources

Technologies that gave inspiration

A lot of research already has been done on food security and a lot of innovative work has been done in this field. We believe that it makes no sense to develop something completely new if there is already so much good out there. Therefore, our solution is primarily based on the solutions that were already there, like hydroponics, vertical farming and different forms of Low Tech solutions.

Hydroponics

Hydroponics

Hydroponics is a broad term, used for farming methods that reduce water usage and that can be implemented without the use of soil. There are many different types of hydroponics. The main concept is that they provide water and nutrients to the plant's roots via a nutrient solution and provide light via natural or electrical means. The types of hydroponics vary in complexity, use of pump systems, and growth media - which is usually a porous inorganic material that helps soak up the nutrient solution and provide it to the roots-.

NFT SYSTEM

NFT System

The NFT system is one of the main inspirations for our design. It is one of the main hydroponics systems used globally today. It stores the nutrient solution separately, then transports it (with the help of a pump) to the top of a slanted tube containing the growing plants before coming out the other end of the pipe back into the container. An air pump in the reservoir is used to oxygenate the nutrient solution to provide oxygen to the plants’ roots systems.

NFT & LOW TECH

NFT & Low Tech

The NFT system can easily be adapted into a low-tech version (as shown in the image on the other side). Here the use of a pump is not required as two separate water reservoirs are used and water is manually transported from the one at the bottom to the one at the higher level. The gravitational potential then drives the solution through the water bottle tubes providing water and nutrients to the plants' roots.

vertical farming

Vertical Farming

Vertical farming is the practice of stacking plants upon each other instead of next to each other. It is used in urban settings, where space is limited and the only way to go is up. It is considered the future of farming and one of the only ways to keep up with the ever-growing demand for food due to the exponentially growing population. Vertical farming can also be easily adapted to more low-tech designs such as the one in the image on the right side (other side), in which PVC pipes are mounted onto a wooden fence.

LOW TECH PUMP

Low Tech Pump

This is a low tech hand pump - designed by the low-tech lab - which can be fitted to small wells, as well as other water containers. Built out of PVC parts, it is a simple to build, cheap alternative to using an electrical pump. It works by creating pressure differentials when one pushes on the handle to drive water vertically upwards.

SAND & GRAVEL FILTER

Sand & Gravel Filter

This technology filters large particles and is responsible for the basic filtration of bacteria and chemical substances by charcoal. The use of activated charcoal amplifies this process. Activated charcoal is charcoal that has been heated or otherwise treated to increase its adsorptive power.

LOW TECH LIQUID COMPOST MAKER

Low Tech Liquid Compost Maker

This low tech innovation -made by the low-tech lab- uses several vertical modules to convert organic waste into a liquid compost, rich in nutrients and suitable to grow plants with.

LOW TECH BIOFILTER

Low Tech Biofilter

A biofilter is used to activate nutrients - that exist in liquid compost - to be used for plant growth and would be the final step in providing a nutrient solution for a hydroponic system.

Why Food Security

Mumbai's People

Concepts & Theories

Existing Technologies

Responsible Design

Design Process

End Product

Implementation

Resources