A newly engineered type of soil can capture water out of thin air to keep plants hydrated and manage controlled release of fertilizer for a constant supply of nutrients. Underpinning this exciting smart soil system is a hydrogel material developed by researchers at The University of Texas at Austin. In experiments, the hydrogel-infused soil led to the growth of larger, healthier plants, compared to regular soil, all while using less water and fertilizer. "This new gel technology can reduce the burden on farmers by decreasing the need for frequent irrigation and fertilization," said Jungjoon Park, a graduate student in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering and who led the research. "The technology is also versatile enough to be adopted across a wide range of climates, from arid regions to temperate areas." ....