The Explorative Canopy Trail Project Proposes a Way to Research the Amazon
Vivian Lau — July 30, 2012 — Eco
References: pr2012.aaschool.ac.uk & fastcodesign
The Explorative Canopy Trail Project by Yi Yvonne Weng is an environmental solution to effectively study the biological secrets of the rainforest.
The lightweight system of netting will rest atop the tall canopies of the rainforest. The fabric of the netting will be made of superstrong tensile that will stretch over large areas, therefore spreading the weight of humans, but allowing birds and small animals to filter through. The system comes complete with a teardrop-shaped space where researchers may touch down to the floor and access the full length of the tree.
Since 70 percent of cancer drugs use ingredients that are found in plants discovered in these lush ecosystems, this breakthrough idea allows scientists to do their job in a manner that is less destructive and potentially much more accessible than it is right now. The idea has already won a Foster + Partners Prize.
The lightweight system of netting will rest atop the tall canopies of the rainforest. The fabric of the netting will be made of superstrong tensile that will stretch over large areas, therefore spreading the weight of humans, but allowing birds and small animals to filter through. The system comes complete with a teardrop-shaped space where researchers may touch down to the floor and access the full length of the tree.
Since 70 percent of cancer drugs use ingredients that are found in plants discovered in these lush ecosystems, this breakthrough idea allows scientists to do their job in a manner that is less destructive and potentially much more accessible than it is right now. The idea has already won a Foster + Partners Prize.
Trend Themes
1. Canopy Research - The use of treetop-skimming nets for scientific research opens up new opportunities to explore the biodiversity of rainforests without causing harm to the ecosystems.
2. Lightweight Tensile Materials - The creation of superstrong tensile materials that can stretch over large areas could revolutionize various industries like construction, transportation, and sport equipment manufacturing.
3. Exploration Technology - The development of innovative solutions for exploring hard-to-reach locations inspires new ideas for unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, and other remote-controlled devices for research and surveillance purposes.
Industry Implications
1. Pharmaceuticals - The discovery of new plant-based ingredients for cancer drugs through non-destructive canopy research may lead to significant improvements in the treatment of cancer.
2. Environmental Science - The use of treetop-skimming nets and other technologies for non-invasive research provides new opportunities for monitoring and preserving ecosystems, which could benefit various environmental science applications like wildlife conservation, climate change studies, and habitat management.
3. Architecture - The use of lightweight tensile materials for construction presents new possibilities for designing structures that are energy-efficient, sustainable, and aesthetically pleasing, while also reducing transportation and installation costs.
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