Smart agriculture is the use of technology to monitor and optimize crop production. It can help farmers save water, fertilizer, and land resources, as well as increase crop yield and quality.
However, one of the challenges of smart agriculture is how to collect and transmit soil moisture data, which is crucial for irrigation and fertilization decisions.
Traditional sensors are not ideal for this task, as they require batteries, wires, or radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, which are costly, labor-intensive, and harmful to the environment.
Moreover, they cannot be installed at high density, which limits the accuracy and resolution of the data.
A new solution: biodegradable soil moisture sensors
GUILLEM SARTORIO/AFP via Getty Images
Researchers from Osaka University have developed a novel solution for soil moisture sensing: biodegradable sensors that can be wirelessly powered and tilled into the soil after use.
The sensors are made of eco-friendly materials, such as nano paper, natural wax, carbon, and tin.
They have a heater and a temperature sensor that can measure the soil moisture content based on the thermal conductivity of the soil.
The sensors can also transmit their location data by creating hotspots that can be detected by a thermal camera mounted on a drone or a satellite.
The researchers tested their system in a greenhouse and found that it could measure and transmit soil moisture data with high accuracy and resolution.
They also demonstrated that the sensors could be tilled into the soil and decomposed by microorganisms, releasing fertilizer components that could stimulate crop growth.
The benefits and challenges of biodegradable sensors
These do not generate electronic waste or require batteries or wires, which reduces the environmental impact and cost of smart agriculture.
Scalable
Biodegradable sensors can be installed at high density without interfering with each other, which improves the spatial coverage and resolution of the data.
Simple
Biodegradable sensors do not need complex circuits or RFID tags, which simplifies the design and fabrication of the sensors.
Smart
The sensors can provide both soil moisture and location data, which enables precise irrigation and fertilization management.
However, biodegradable sensors also face some challenges that need to be addressed in future research. They are:
Stability
Biodegradable sensors need to withstand harsh environmental conditions, such as high temperature, humidity, and acidity, without affecting their performance or biodegradability.
Security
It needs to prevent unauthorized access or tampering with the data transmission or power supply.
Standardization
It needs to comply with international regulations and standards for wireless communication and biodegradation.
The researchers hope that their work will inspire more innovation in sustainable smart agriculture and help feed an increasing global population while minimizing resource use for cropland.
Other applications of biodegradable soil moisture sensors
Besides smart agriculture, biodegradable soil moisture sensors can also have other potential applications in various fields. For example:
Environmental monitoring
Biodegradable soil moisture sensors can be used to monitor the soil water balance and hydrological cycle in different ecosystems, such as forests, wetlands, grasslands, etc. They can also help detect droughts, floods, landslides, or other natural disasters that affect soil moisture levels.
Soil science
They can be used to study the physical and chemical properties of soils, such as porosity, permeability, salinity, pH, etc. They can also help understand the interactions between soil moisture and other factors, such as temperature, organic matter, nutrients, microorganisms, etc.
Irrigation engineering
These sensors can be used to design and optimize irrigation systems for different crops and soils. They can help determine the optimal timing, frequency, amount, and method of irrigation based on the soil moisture status.
Landscaping
Biodegradable soil moisture sensors can be used to improve the aesthetics and functionality of landscapes by providing information on the water needs of different plants and soils. They can help reduce water waste and maintain healthy plants.
