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# 2025 Magic Soil |
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Magic Soil is a bioengineered material created from water treatment residuals, dredged sediment, and excavated soil, stabilised with a synthetic enzyme inspired by termite saliva. It replaces costly drainage infrastructure by serving as a high-performance bioretention medium for flood control, while also removing microplastics and pollutants from water. Its efficient dewatering process reduces energy use and cost. Designed for urban and ecological restoration, it offers scalable, low-cost environmental solutions suitable for low-resource settings
Zhentao Xie is a PhD candidate at Xi'an Jiaotong University, where he focuses on urban environmental solutions such as Sponge Cities and bioretention facilities. A Senior Civil Engineer and a National First-Class Registered Constructor, his professional experience extends to prominent industry leadership roles. He serves as the Secretary-General of the Zhuhai High-Tech Zone Real Estate and Construction Industry Association and is a respected expert on various quality and technology committees, including the Guangdong Provincial Building Materials Industry Expert Committee. Mr. Xie is also a recognized expert in the Zhuhai Planning, Survey and Design Association's Sponge City Construction Expert Database.more
Passive light-optimising film to boost crop yields and cut emissions
Universidad del Valle de Guatemala
Plant-based biopesticides for safer, sustainable agriculture
