Project goal – development of ultrasound spectroscopy sensor for plant studies.
Feedback is required in plant research, horticulture, foresting and agriculture in order to maintain an optimal microclimate, irradiation, irrigation and nutrition of the plants. Timely information of the plant physiological status is important for the prevention of diseases, pest, climate change or environment pollution damage. It is planned to develop a sensor that would provide information about the physiological state of the plant. The sensor is based on the physical parameters of the leaf (thickness, density, porosity, viscoelastic constants, speed of acoustic waves, frequency dependence of attenuation, etc.) determined by means of contactless (air-coupled) ultrasound spectroscopy. Technique was proposed by researchers from the Institute of Physical and Information Technology (ITEFI) in Spain, they demonstrated that the physical properties of the leaf correlate with the physiological state of the plant and quickly became popular among dendrologists and arbologists (grapes, flax, hibiscus, lettuce, baobabs even genetic testing of arabidopsis are among the current applications). Technique is successfully used in films and membranes physical parameters studies. However, a number of key technological innovations are are needed for successful application:
i) wide bandwidth and high energy signals,
ii) efficient and compact electronics that support the acquisition of these signals,
iii) full automation in both measurements, processing both inverse solutions.
Sensor is working as ad-on device for smart phone, tablet or other type of computer. Communication is wireless. Measurement does not require user intervention, measurements are processed and stored in a clouds platform.
Project funding:
This research project is funded by the European Regional Development Fund according to the 2014–2020 Operational Programme for the European Union Funds’ Investments, under measure’s No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718 activity “Research Projects Implemented by World-class Researcher Groups to develop R&D activities relevant to economic sectors, which could later be commercialized”.
Project results:
A sensor prototype and corresponding software will be developed, 6 papers will be published in WoS indexed journals, 4 conference papers presented. Project IP results will be protected by a patent.
Period of project implementation: 2020-07-20 - 2023-08-31
Project coordinator: Kaunas University of Technology
