CHORNOZEM
CHORNOZEM
CHORNOZEM
CHORNOZEM
Soil Health and Ecocide
Soil Health and Ecocide
Soil Health and Ecocide
Soil Health and Ecocide
Spatial Soil Analysis Method and Platform for heavy emtal detection and remediation
Spatial Soil Analysis Method and Platform for heavy emtal detection and remediation
Spatial Soil Analysis Method and Platform for heavy emtal detection and remediation
Design and Chemistry Research
Physical Design
UX Design
System Design
Figma
Rhinoceros 7
Touchdesigner
Python
Adobe Suite
2025 - ongoing
2025 - ongoing
2025 - ongoing
Master Thesis
Master Thesis
Master Thesis
Team Members: Yaroslava Shylyk, Olivia Menezes
Team Members: Yaroslava Shylyk, Olivia Menezes
Team Members: Yaroslava Shylyk, Olivia Menezes
ZHdK, Major Interaction Design, Prof. Dr. Karmen Franinovic, Prof. Dr. Joelle Bitton, Prof. Max Rheiner, Dr. Luke Franzke
ZHdK, Major Interaction Design, Prof. Dr. Karmen Franinovic, Prof. Dr. Joelle Bitton, Prof. Max Rheiner, Dr. Luke Franzke
ZHdK, Major Interaction Design, Prof. Dr. Karmen Franinovic, Prof. Dr. Joelle Bitton, Prof. Max Rheiner, Dr. Luke Franzke
Problem
Problem
Ecocide is a military tactic aimed at the deliberate destruction of ecosystems and resources to destabilize regions.
One of the most unexpected yet long-lasting consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (since 2014 and ongoing) is the pollution of agricultural soils with heavy metals.
Ecocide is a military tactic aimed at the deliberate destruction of ecosystems and resources to destabilize regions.
One of the most unexpected yet long-lasting consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine (since 2014 and ongoing) is the pollution of agricultural soils with heavy metals.
Tools
Tools
Figma
Rhinoceros 7
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Premiere
Adobe AfterEffects
Touchdesigner
Python
Figma
Rhinoceros 7
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Premiere
Adobe AfterEffects
Touchdesigner
Python
↘ UI prototype for the scanned field in situ.
↘ Digital platform and expander node installation in situ
↘ Heavy metal contamination exceeds tolerated amount.
↘ Heavy metal contamination exceeds tolerated amount.
↘ Contamination harms the global grain export.
↘ Contamination harms the global grain export.
Concept
Concept
These seemingly inconsequential traces of munitions, fuel, and explosives not only undermine the economic stability of the agrarian state but also inflict serious and long-term damage on ecosystems.
Unlike traditional laboratory methods of point-based soil analysis, our approach adopts a forensic logic to expose toxic hotspots in agricultural fields.
These seemingly inconsequential traces of munitions, fuel, and explosives not only undermine the economic stability of the agrarian state but also inflict serious and long-term damage on ecosystems.
Unlike traditional laboratory methods of point-based soil analysis, our approach adopts a forensic logic to expose toxic hotspots in agricultural fields.
3-Step Process
3-Step Process
1
Spray
We propose to integrate an activated Curcumin solution into fertilizers to be sprayed after plowing. In the presence of heavy metals, the fluorescence is quenched, resulting in the appearance of dark spots.
We propose to integrate an activated Curcumin solution into fertilizers to be sprayed after plowing to visualize heavy metal contamination.
We propose to integrate an activated Curcumin solution into fertilizers to be sprayed after plowing. In the presence of heavy metals, the fluorescence is quenched, resulting in the appearance of dark spots.
We propose to integrate an activated Curcumin solution into fertilizers to be sprayed after plowing to visualize heavy metal contamination.
2
Scan
After applying the solution to the field, the area is scanned with a UV light and a camera mounted to a repurposed drone from the war.
The reaction of the Curcumin solution is picked up by the camera.
After applying the solution to the field, the area is scanned with a UV light and a camera mounted to a repurposed drone from the war.
After applying the solution to the field, the area is scanned with a UV light and a camera mounted to a repurposed drone from the war.
The reaction of the Curcumin solution is picked up by the camera.
After applying the solution to the field, the area is scanned with a UV light and a camera mounted to a repurposed drone from the war.
3
Detect
The then captured footage is analysed and stitched together by a computer vision script. The stitched footage resembles a map, making it easier for the farmer to detect the contamination and conduct targeted remediation.
The then captured footage is analysed and stitched together by a computer vision script. The result is a map of the contamination.
The then captured footage is analysed and stitched together by a computer vision script. The stitched footage resembles a map, making it easier for the farmer to detect the contamination and conduct targeted remediation.
The then captured footage is analysed and stitched together by a computer vision script. The result is a map of the contamination.
1
Spray
Spray
Chemical Reagent
Chemical Reagent
We developed and tested a reagent that visibly reacts in the presence of heavy metals (HM).In the presence of HM, the fluorescence is quenched, resulting in the appearance of dark spots.
It is safe for soil, animals, and humans, and contains organic compounds that begin to degrade after 24 hours.
We developed and tested a reagent that visibly reacts in the presence of heavy metals (HM).In the presence of HM, the fluorescence is quenched, resulting in the appearance of dark spots.
It is safe for soil, animals, and humans, and contains organic compounds that begin to degrade after 24 hours.
↘ Health soil is glowing, while contaminated spots appear dark.
↘ Health soil is glowing, while contaminated spots appear dark.
↘ Darker spots indicate heavy metal contamination.
↘ Darker spots indicate heavy metal contamination.
2
Scan
Scan
Drone Hardware
Drone Hardware
The drone features a specially designed ring with UV light around the camera for even illumination during scanning.
Reusing military drone imaging and computer vision, we identify contaminated areas for further analysis and targeted remediation.
The drone features a specially designed ring with UV light around the camera for even illumination during scanning.
Reusing military drone imaging and computer vision, we identify contaminated areas for further analysis and targeted remediation.
↘ Designing the first UV light prototype in Rhino 7.
↘ Designing the first UV light prototype in Rhino 7.
↘ Drone Light Ring Aesthetic Prototype V1
↘ Drone Light Ring Aesthetic Prototype V1
3
Detect
Detect
Interface
Interface
After the application, the soil is scanned with a drone and, using computer vision, is mapped onto a contamination map.
The map will be displayed for farmers to localise the contamination and share it on a communication platform with other users and allowing exchange of remediation tactics.
After the application, the soil is scanned with a drone and, using computer vision, is mapped onto a contamination map.
The map will be displayed for farmers to localise the contamination and share it on a communication platform with other users and allowing exchange of remediation tactics.
↘ Computer Vision identifies polluted spots.
↘ Computer Vision identifies polluted spots.
↘ Interaction and Visualisation of contamination for users.
↘ Interaction and Visualisation of contamination for users.
Goals
Goals
The goal of this project is to develop an accessible and low-cost method that enables farmers to independently conduct initial assessments of their fields to evaluate safety for cultivation.
We also emphasize the urgent need to develop accessible and open-source tools for monitoring, protecting, and restoring damaged ecosystems.
The goal of this project is to develop an accessible and low-cost method that enables farmers to independently conduct initial assessments of their fields to evaluate safety for cultivation.
We also emphasize the urgent need to develop accessible and open-source tools for monitoring, protecting, and restoring damaged ecosystems.
↘ Spraying the solution on soil
↘ Spraying the solution on soil
Competitions
Competitions
Biodesign Challenge 2025, Overall Winner (New York, USA)
Falling Walls Labs Zurich 2025, 1st Prize
Falling Walls Labs Berlin 2025, Pitch Presentation
New Food Summit 2025, Public Vote Winner (Kyiv, Ukraine)
Agrifood Innovation Camp 2025, Selected Startup (Ukraine)
VDID New Talents Award 2025, Shortlist Top 10 (Würzburg, Germany)
Biodesign Challenge 2025, Overall Winner (New York, USA)
Falling Walls Labs Zurich 2025, 1st Prize
Falling Walls Labs Berlin 2025, Pitch Presentation
New Food Summit 2025, Public Vote Winner (Kyiv, Ukraine)
Agrifood Innovation Camp 2025, Selected Startup (Ukraine)
VDID New Talents Award 2025, Shortlist Top 10 (Würzburg, Germany)
Exhibitions + Presentation
Exhibitions + Presentation
Plan B 2025, Exhibition, Zurich, Switzerland
Biodesign Challenge 2025, Exhibition, New York, USA
Ars Electronica 2025, Exhibition, Linz, Austria
Biofabricate @ London Design Festival 2025, Exhibition, London, UK
Planetary Embassy @ NY Climate Week 2025, Panel Discussion, New York, USA
VDID New Talents Award 2025, Exhibition, Würzburg, Germany
New Food Summit 2025, Exhibition, Kyiv, Ukraine
Refresh Festival 2025, Exhibition, Zurich, Switzerland
Junior Design Research Conference 2025, Presentation and Workshop, Zurich, Switzerland
Refresh Festival 2026, Exhibition, San Francisco, USA
Plan B 2025, Exhibition, Zurich, Switzerland
Biodesign Challenge 2025, Exhibition, New York, USA
Ars Electronica 2025, Exhibition, Linz, Austria
Biofabricate @ London Design Festival 2025, Exhibition, London, UK
Planetary Embassy @ NY Climate Week 2025, Panel Discussion, New York, USA
VDID New Talents Award 2025, Exhibition, Würzburg, Germany
New Food Summit 2025, Exhibition, Kyiv, Ukraine
Refresh Festival 2025, Exhibition, Zurich, Switzerland
Junior Design Research Conference 2025, Presentation and Workshop, Zurich, Switzerland
Refresh Festival 2026, Exhibition, San Francisco, USA
↘ Overall Price Biodesign Challenge
↘ Overall Price Biodesign Challenge
↘ Falling Walls Labs Berlin Pitch Presentation
↘ Falling Walls Labs Berlin Pitch Presentation
↘ Falling Walls Labs Berlin Pitch Presentation
Our Team
Our Team
Yaroslava Shylyk
Visual Researcher, Stage & Media Production
Olivia Menezes
Product & Process Development
Kirill Kohl
Industrial Design, Design Research, System Design
Yaroslava Shylyk
Visual Researcher, Stage & Media Production
Olivia Menezes
Product & Process Development
Kirill Kohl
Industrial Design, Design Research, System Design
↘ Left to Right: Kirill Kohl, Olivia Menezes, Yaroslava Shylyk
↘ Left to Right: Kirill Kohl, Olivia Menezes, Yaroslava Shylyk