Inventing the perfect seed starting trays (?)

I did a bunch of research on whether to use soil blocks or traditional seed trays. The ideal would be something that has the "good parts" of both:

- air pruning (from soil blocks)
- ease of filling, watering, and using  (from seed trays)

And none of the downsides:
- having to make a specific soil consistency (soil blocks)
- doing the same mechanical motion over and over many times (soil blocks)
- worrying about the block falling apart if you don't water it correctly (soil blocks)
- plastic (trays)
- trays breaking after a few seasons (trays)
- root bound plants (trays)

I didn't see something that met these ideals. So I decided to invent it! At least, I'm going to try. Here's what I'm thinking:

I want something that will:
- hold soil in place (like a traditional tray), but
- allows air to permeate on all sides (like soil blocks), and
- is not plastic (I'm trying to get away from plastic near my food as much as feasible). Bonus if it
- allows water to wick up for bottom watering.

My idea is to use food-grade stainless steel mesh to form the "pouches" to hold soil. With some solid stainless steel rings at the top to help hold their form, and join them to neighboring cells/pouches.

I bought some 400 mesh to test the idea. It might end up being too fine (too fine = not enough airflow). Still playing with shape and size. I made 3 possibilities (warning: ugly prototype incoming). Cylinder, square, and a pouch. None have solid rings yet, but that can come later. Pictures attached.

Feedback welcome.

Interesting concept. You need to consider how easily they will clean.

What you've made will still require some sort of tray to hold the little cups and move them around. I have started to use the restaurant warming trays to do this. Yes, they're pricey, but they're stainless steel, so should last longer than I will. I use fairly small ones as I want them to fit on my window ledge. A lot depends on how many of what kind of seed you're starting at once.