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NewsAsia 23 Oct 05 Japanese inventor grows plants on porous lava stones TOKYO : Lava stones from Japan's Miyake Island have been given a new lease of life. They are now being applied to concrete, metal and other surfaces as a base for plants. A car totally covered with greenery was displayed for the first time at a Pacific Flora Show in Tokyo. The plants were growing from lava stones which the vehicle was coated with. It is the brainchild of engineer Toshiaki Sato. He spent many years developing concrete blocks, but had always found bare concrete surfaces such an eye-sore. Then he discovered that lava stones have porous holes that can hold water and nutrients for plants, and started sourcing for raw materials from the Aoki-ga-hara Forest, located at the foot of Mount Fuji. Mr Sato said: "The lava stone can support various plants. They can be combined with concrete products to help repair eco-systems. They are environmentally- friendly." Some of Mr Sato's successful projects can be found in Yamanashi, where lava stone panels are attached to thick concrete surfaces along irrigation channels. Another is the Genbei River in Shizuoka where the stone embankments are now covered with greenery. Apart from concrete, the product works equally well on metal, timber and other hard surfaces. Mr Sato said: "These types of materials can be readily applied with lava film. We are sure there will be a sizable market for this product." He is now working on ways to apply lava film on high-rise walls and other difficult, uneven surfaces. links Related articles on Global: general environmental issues |
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