Part 9/11:
Despite promising prototypes and insights, Chris admits the enormity of his project. Scaling the floating farms, ensuring stability amidst storms, managing saltwater intrusion, and developing affordable, durable materials remain significant hurdles. A critical focus is developing substrates—such as keratin-based sponges derived from chicken feathers—that are biodegradable, lightweight, and suited for hydroponic or aquaponic systems.
Additionally, ensuring resource efficiency—like retention of rainwater and freshwater supplementation—requires advanced engineering and smart materials. His team experiments with moisture-retaining powders and salt-tolerant crops, aiming to optimize growth conditions in saline environments.