Iowa State University has developed a plant wearable sensor
Plant scientists from Iowa State University have developed a small graphene sensor that can be affixed to plants, providing researchers and farmers with more data that can lead to a more robust annual harvest. New graphene-based sensors can provide farmers with more accurate measurements to determine how long crops take to fully realize their potential. Patrick Schnable, plant scientist at Iowa State University, said in a statement: "With such tools, we can begin to nurture plants that use water more efficiently. It's exciting. We couldn't do this before. But once we We can measure something and we can begin to understand it." The researchers fabricated complex graphene patterns on the tape and created dimple patterns on the surface of the polymer block through a molding process or 3D printing. Then, they applied a liquid graphene solution onto the polymer block to fill in the dimple pattern. The team used adhesive tape to remove excess graphene and used another tape to pull apart the graphene pattern to form a sensor on the tape. This created a pattern that was only one millionth of a meter wide. “The manufacturing process is very simple,†said Liang Dong, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Iowa State, in a statement. “You only need to use tape to make these sensors. The cost is low.†This graphene-based technology, which researchers call "plant tattoo sensors," has also been used to develop other wearable strain and pressure sensors, including sensors built into smart gloves that measure hand movements. In the case of plant research, the sensor is made of graphene oxide, a material that is very sensitive to water vapor, which can change the conductivity of the material and can be quantified to accurately measure the transpiration of the leaves. Dong said: “The most exciting application of the tape sensors we have tested so far is plant sensors. The concept of plant wearable electronic sensors is brand new.†"The plant sensor is very small and can detect the transpiration of plants but it does not affect plant growth or crop production." The sensor can also be used for other applications, including biomedical diagnostics, checking the structural integrity of a building, environmental monitoring, or possibly adjusting the crop for disease or pesticide testing after adjustment. Replacement Cartridge,Perkins Turbocharger Core,Perkins Turbocharger Cartridge,Perkins Chra Fengcheng Fire Turbocharger Manufacturing Co; Ltd. , https://www.fireturbocharger.com