Mochii for Environmental Analysis

In the field : Landslide Prevention in Thailand

Soil erosion is a major environmental issue in Thailand, and the royal family themselves are heavily involved in soil sciences and landscape preservation. Vetiver is a non-invasive grass widely hailed as an excellent barrier to erosion, and is being planted widely throughout Thailand for exactly that purpose. Engineering faculty at Chulalongkorn University - the oldest and most highly-esteemed modern university in Thailand - are imaging vetiver grass root samples using the Mochii and determining the nanomechancial processes that enhance its soil holding power. Chula scientists are comparing root development under different growing conditions using Mochii images, and that research will support best practices in vetiver application for preserving soil in Thailand’s roadways and agricultural areas.