To create their transparent soil, a research team led by Lionel Dupuy and Helen Downie used 350-to-1,600-micron-wide pellets of the synthetic and transparent polymer, Nafion.

Soil: 'The key is to mimic its natural woodland habitat,' says Kiersten Rankel, an expert from plant-care app Greg. 'It thrives in rich, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter – think ...

Close-up 3D images of how roots grow in transparent polymer soil can help researchers monitor how plants are faring and develop better crops ...