PROJECT

自雨繁生 Splash of Life

本设计是一款雨水触发的播种装置。在干旱地区的植被修复过程中，本装置通过将种子传播与降雨同步，能提高发芽率，减少人工干预。

By designing a rain-triggered seeding device for vegetation restoration in arid regions, this project synchronizes seed dispersal with rainfall to improve germination rates while reducing the need for human intervention.

干旱地区植被修复的一个关键问题尤为突出：种子往往在干燥时期播种，但由于当地降雨不稳定，在雨水到来前就已经缺水失活——播种与水分供给之间的不同步，导致了极低的成活率。虽然已有保水剂等技术，但它们往往伴随副作用，例如降解过快，或降低植物的耐旱性。我尝试从自然中寻找灵感，以找到更好的解决方案。

A key issue of ecological restoration in arid regions is the temporal mismatch between sowing and water availability: seeds are often deployed during dry periods and die before rainfall occurs, resulting in extremely low survival rates. Existing solutions such as water-retention agents often introduce side effects, motivating me to seek alternatives inspired by nature.

我受到飞溅播种植物的启发。这类植物生活在干旱环境中，其播种行为与降雨严格同步：种子储存在杯状结构中，雨滴冲击时被抛射出去。部分番杏科植物还能在干燥时闭合保护种子，在湿润时打开并完成播种，从而避免干旱暴露并降低母株竞争。

I was inspired by splash-dispersal plants. Living in arid environments, these plants release seeds only when rain arrives: seeds are stored in cup-like structures and dispersed by the impact of raindrops. Some Aizoaceae species close when dry to protect seeds and open when wet, enabling rain-synchronized dispersal while reducing competition near the parent plant.

基于这些植物机制，我将其形态转化为一种被动式播种装置。我开发了多个原型，尝试了海绵、天然橡皮筋、纸等材料的不同组合。装置的核心是一种纤维海绵：干燥时保持刚性以固定橡皮筋，降雨时吸水变软，释放弹性势能将种子弹射出去，最远可达三米。种子舱表面覆盖水溶性PVA薄膜，在下雨前保护种子，遇水后迅速溶解。最终版本经测试可将约150粒种子播撒至直径6米的范围。装置在触发后可被回收并重复使用。

Based on these plant mechanisms, I translated their morphology into a passive seeding device.
The core component is a fiber sponge that remains rigid when dry, holding rubber bands under tension. When exposed to rain, the sponge absorbs water, softens, and releases stored elastic energy to eject seeds up to three meters. A water-soluble PVA film protects the seeds before rainfall and dissolves upon contact with water. The final prototype can disperse approximately 150 seeds across a 6-meter diameter area and can be retrieved and reused after activation.

在可回收装置的基础上，我还设计了可就地降解的大范围空投版本。该版本由PHA和纸制成，配备特定角度的纸质旋翼，在下落过程中产生稳定旋转，使装置钻入土壤并完成自固定。

A biodegradable version for large-scale aerial deployment. Made from PHA and paper, it features angled paper fins that induce stable rotation during descent, allowing the device to anchor itself into the soil upon landing.

本设计的独特之处在于聚焦于小粒径种子的广域散播，并完全被动运行。不同于依赖机械或电子系统的方案，该装置仅通过材料的湿度响应性与弹性结构工作，提供可回收与可降解两种形式，为干旱地区生态修复提供低成本、低干预的解决方案。

This design focuses on wide-area dispersal of small seeds and operates entirely passively. Unlike mechanical or sensor-based systems, it relies solely on material hygroscopicity and elastic tension. Available in both reusable and biodegradable versions, it offers a low-cost, low-intervention strategy for ecological restoration in arid environments.

本设计为2025年同济大学本科毕业设计，获得同年戴森设计大奖中国区8强。

This design was a 2025 Bechalor’s graduation project at Tongji University and was among the top 8 in the Dyson Design Award China region that year.

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Art & Design, Objects, Graphics, A Bite of Everything.

Ria Zhang

Art & Design,
Objects,
Graphics,
A Bite of Everything.