Progress 01/01/24 to 12/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The project has been highly successful in advancing technology and platforms related to soil health monitoring and sensor development, and we have had the pleasure of disseminating these results at various conferences and through key societal channels. The progress made in the development of our sensors, the RF communication platforms, and related systems has positioned the project at the forefront of innovative solutions in precision agriculture and soil health assessment. This success has allowed us to engage and inform a wide array of stakeholders, ranging from researchers to industry leaders, and to effectively communicate the potential impact of our technology on the agricultural sector. A primary goal of this project has been to target and engage the next generation of students from Indiana, particularly in STEM fields. The dissemination of new technical knowledge, best practices in manufacturing, machine learning strategies, and innovative educational methods has been a cornerstone of this initiative. By reaching out to a broad audience of students, educators, and professionals from government, industry, and the community, we have worked to promote a new way of understanding and educating students about the intersections of science, technology, and agriculture. One of the key activities was a two-day workshop that invited over 100 students from Jefferson High School, a local school near Purdue University. This workshop provided hands-on activities designed to introduce students to additive manufacturing processes, sensor technologies, and modern manufacturing techniques. The positive response from the students underscored the success of the event, and the team plans to extend these efforts in the coming year. In the upcoming workshop, students will spend the first two days familiarizing themselves with sensor fabrication and characterization, followed by three days of field characterization and measurements. The workshop will conclude with a final report and presentation of the students' results, further fostering their understanding of real-world scientific applications and the role of technology in advancing agriculture. This engagement with local students is part of a broader effort to develop a pipeline of future innovators in precision agriculture and STEM disciplines. By providing hands-on learning experiences and direct exposure to cutting-edge research and technology, we aim to inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, and leaders in the agricultural field. Changes/Problems:Over the past year, the project has faced several unexpected challenges that have impacted the pace of certain activities and the overall timeline. Despite these obstacles, the team has worked diligently to overcome them and continue making progress. Collaborator Leave for Sabbatical: One of the primary setbacks was the departure of Dr. Shalamar Armstrong, a key collaborator for the field deployment component of the project, who had to take a year-long sabbatical. This caused a delay in some of the planned field deployment work. Given Dr. Armstrong's expertise in soil and agronomic systems, his absence required adjustments to the field testing schedule, pushing back certain in-field assessments and data collection efforts. Graduate Student Departures: The project also experienced some disruptions due to the unexpected departure of two graduate students. One student had to leave the program suddenly due to family matters, as a close family member passed away, which led to them terminating their studies and returning to their home country. Another graduate student who had been contributing to the project graduated early in the summer and was not able to continue with the project. Additionally, a new student who was initially scheduled to join the project was delayed due to visa issues, pushing back their start date by an entire year. As a result of these departures and delays, two critical graduate student positions became vacant. This affected the team's ability to maintain consistent progress on key aspects of the project. In response to this, the project team worked quickly to recruit new graduate students with the technical expertise necessary to move the work forward. Thankfully, by this semester, two highly qualified graduate students with excellent backgrounds were successfully hired and integrated into the project. Adjustment to Timeline and Project Progress: The unexpected vacancies and delays caused some setbacks in terms of project timelines. However, Dr. Rahimi, the Principal Investigator (PI), has been directly involved in the project and has taken a hands-on approach in working closely with the newly hired graduate students. This close collaboration has allowed the team to get back on track and catch up on the work that had been delayed. While the team has faced some challenges in terms of personnel and field deployment timing, the adjustments made, such as the recruitment of new graduate students and Dr. Rahimi's direct involvement, have allowed the project to maintain momentum. The team is confident that these changes will help them to effectively move forward and meet the project's goals.While the project has been very successful, due to these technical issues, we may necessitate a one-year no-cost extension at the end of the project to ensure all objectives are fully achieved. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project has provided a wealth of opportunities for training and professional development, fostering an interdisciplinary research environment that bridges engineering, agronomy, and soil science. The collaborative nature of the project has created an enriching environment where engineers, soil scientists, and agronomists work side by side, offering unique insights and perspectives. This collaboration has not only advanced the scientific goals of the project but also opened up valuable networking and collaboration opportunities with industry partners and national labs, including Mosaic and Bayer. These partnerships are exploring how the project's technology can enhance crop management and drive innovation in the agricultural sector, thus providing an exciting real-world application for the research. The collaborative environment has also facilitated the cross-pollination of ideas and knowledge between research groups, providing graduate students with exceptional opportunities to learn from experts in various fields. Four PhD students have been actively engaged in the project, working closely with the principal investigators (PIs) to develop key skills in both fundamental science and practical problem-solving. Through their involvement, they have learned how to approach complex problems from multiple disciplines, how to effectively communicate and collaborate with peers, and how to tackle challenges through teamwork. These students are also gaining firsthand experience in integrating knowledge from materials engineering, soil science, and agricultural systems, making them well-rounded researchers and problem solvers. In addition to working alongside graduate students, these PhD students have also mentored one or two undergraduate students, providing them with valuable opportunities to gain hands-on experience in multidisciplinary research. This mentorship has inspired many undergraduates to pursue higher education and consider graduate studies in various disciplines, further promoting the growth of the next generation of scientists and engineers. Beyond graduate and undergraduate student training, the project has reached out to the local community through a two-day workshop for high school students. This initiative offered a hands-on experience with additive manufacturing, sensor technologies, and soil health, and the team plans to expand this opportunity into a full week of interactive activities. The workshops will continue to provide high school students with the chance to engage with cutting-edge research and gain exposure to STEM fields. Additionally, the team plans to make some of these lectures and workshops available online through Purdue's portals, including Nanohub, broadening access to this valuable educational content and encouraging wider interest in agricultural technologies and engineering. Overall, this project has not only advanced research in precision agriculture but has also cultivated an environment that nurtures professional development, encourages interdisciplinary learning, and promotes the involvement of students at all levels in meaningful scientific work. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results of this project have been actively disseminated to a wide range of communities of interest through various channels, ensuring that both the academic and industry sectors are kept informed about the project's advancements and outcomes. Internally, the team has presented the work at several conferences within Purdue University, including events hosted by both the College of Agriculture and the College of Engineering. These internal conferences provided an excellent platform to engage with faculty, students, and researchers from diverse disciplines, facilitating valuable feedback and collaboration opportunities. Additionally, the team has had the opportunity to share the project's findings through oral presentations at prominent external conferences, such as the Hilton Head Workshop 2024: A Solid-State Sensors, Actuators, and Microsystems Workshop. This conference brought together experts in sensors, actuators, and materials science, allowing the team to showcase the innovative technologies developed as part of the project. Furthermore, the team presented at the Materials Research Society (MRS) conference, a leading venue for the latest advancements in materials science, which provided further exposure to cutting-edge research and fostered discussions with professionals in the field. Through these presentations, the project has reached a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including academic researchers, industry professionals, and policymakers. By engaging with these communities, the team has not only shared the results of their work but also received valuable insights and fostered relationships that can help guide the project toward broader applications in the agricultural sector and beyond. These efforts ensure that the research continues to have a meaningful impact and is integrated into the ongoing dialogue around precision agriculture, soil health monitoring, and environmental sustainability. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next phase of the project, the team will focus on addressing the challenges identified during the initial microbial degradation and sensor characterization tests. Specifically, two key issues need to be addressed: the slow response time of the cellulose acetate coatings in soil conditions and the high sensitivity of the coatings to moisture fluctuations, compounded by the high soil heterogeneity that affects the positioning of the reference electrode. Enhancing Polymer Coatings for Faster Degradation Response: As observed, the cellulose acetate coating exhibited a relatively slow response and degradation in soil conditions, which limits the sensors' effectiveness for real-time microbial activity monitoring. To improve this, the team will modify the polymer composition by incorporating chitosan into the cellulose acetate. This modification is expected to accelerate the degradation kinetics and provide a faster response to microbial activity, making the sensors more suitable for continuous, in-season monitoring during a growing season. The team will explore different optimized compositions to achieve a balance between fast degradation and stable sensor performance in varying soil conditions. Improving Compensation for Soil Moisture Fluctuations: Another challenge encountered was the high sensitivity of the polymer coatings to moisture levels, which, combined with soil heterogeneity, made it difficult to effectively compensate for moisture fluctuations during microbial activity assessments. To overcome this, the team plans to design a new nail-shaped sensor structure where the reference electrode is placed in closer proximity to the sensor electrode, potentially on the backside of the nail-shaped probe. This close positioning will allow for more accurate monitoring of moisture conditions near the sensor and facilitate better compensation for fluctuations in the soil's electrical properties. The design will help subtract the background electrical properties of the soil from the sensor's response, improving the accuracy of microbial activity assessments. Testing in Representative Agricultural Soil Conditions: To better understand the performance and reliability of the sensors in real-world agricultural conditions, the team plans to create a range of soil conditions with varying levels of microbial activity, as well as differences in chemical and physical properties. These conditions will simulate typical agricultural environments, helping to assess the sensors' effectiveness across a variety of situations that might be encountered during field deployment. The team envisions using this data to optimize the sensors further and validate their reliability under realistic agricultural scenarios. By focusing on these modifications and testing under diverse soil conditions, the team aims to resolve the challenges identified in the previous phase and enhance the sensor technology's performance for effective soil health monitoring. These efforts will significantly advance the development of a robust and reliable sensor system that can provide farmers with real-time, in-situ data to improve soil management and agricultural practices.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1: Development of Smart Nails in Modular Configuration This year, the team successfully optimized the design of the nail-shaped sensors for use in soil moisture conductivity and microbial activity assessments. Significant time and effort were dedicated to design optimization and simulations using HFSS (High-Frequency Structure Simulator) to refine the sensor's sensitivity. Material characterization was conducted to ensure the sensors performed with minimal noise and interference from surrounding soil conditions. The optimized designs were validated for sensitivity, ensuring stable measurements across a wide range of soil conditions that could be encountered in the field. These efforts have led to the development of a robust sensor capable of accurately assessing soil moisture and microbial activity, key factors for understanding soil health in regenerative agricultural practices. Objective 2: Functionalized Polymer Coating for Microbial Activity Assessments The team made notable progress in developing functionalized polymer coatings for microbial activity sensing. Specifically, cellulose acetate coatings were applied to the electrodes of the sensors, and the degradation kinetics were assessed by monitoring changes in electrical properties through impedance measurements. Over 100 sensors were tested under various soil conditions, ranging from sterile to fertile soils, to simulate different microbial activity levels. A multi-channel setup was developed to capture impedance changes, and ground truth measurements were taken using standard bacterial culture methods and enzymatic assays. The results indicated that while cellulose acetate provided good sensitivity to microbial activity, it exhibited a relatively slow degradation response, which limits its real-time performance in dynamic soil environments. This has led the team to explore modifications to the polymer to enhance its responsiveness. Objective 3: Improving Sensitivity to Microbial Activities To improve the sensor's response to microbial activity, the team began exploring modifications to the polymer coating. Specifically, the team tested combinations of cellulose acetate and chitosan to accelerate the degradation kinetics of the coating. Additionally, varying the thickness of the polymer coating was investigated to optimize sensor response times to microbial activity. The team also observed that moisture fluctuations in the soil significantly affected the sensor's performance. To mitigate these effects, they are investigating ways to adjust the polymer coating's thickness and adhesion properties to better handle moisture variations. Furthermore, a reference electrode without the polymer coating is being used to compensate for moisture changes and provide a more accurate soil moisture reading. The team plans to further optimize the design to place the sensor and reference electrode in closer proximity to ensure better compensation for moisture-induced variations. Objective 4: Sensor Integration and Field Deployment The team has successfully integrated the wireless nail-shaped sensor technology with a drone system for field deployment. Initially, challenges with the microbial activity sensors' slow response led the team to prioritize integrating moisture and conductivity sensors, which were deployed on a local agricultural research field at TEPAC (The Purdue University Experimental Agriculture Center). Over the course of the growing season, measurements were successfully collected for corn crops, providing valuable data for understanding soil conditions in a real-world agricultural setting. The results from these field deployments were highly successful, and the team is in the process of preparing a manuscript based on the field measurements. Moving forward, the team plans to optimize the microbial activity sensors and deploy them in the field to assess microbial activity alongside soil moisture and conductivity, enhancing the capability of the sensor platform to provide comprehensive, in-situ monitoring of soil health.
Publications
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Real-time monitoring of fertilizer runoff at the watershed scale using a low-cost solar-powered Lego-like electrochemical water quality monitoring system
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2025
Citation:
Wireless and Electronic-Free Smart Nails for Wide-Area Subsoil Health Monitoring in Agricultural Fields
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Wireless sensors for wide area, agricultural monitoring
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Flexisense: PH-Guided Precision Drug Delivery and Monitoring Using Flexible Electronic Technology
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Progress 01/01/23 to 12/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?This project presents a unique opportunity for training and professional development in the interdisciplinary fields of soil microbiology, sensor technologies, and RF communication. By assessing microbial activities and soil health from a novel perspective and integrating basic knowledge of RF technologies, the project offers a groundbreaking approach to soil health monitoring. Graduate students from diverse backgrounds in materials engineering and electrical engineering are actively involved in the project, providing them with exposure to innovative problem-solving methodologies and hands-on experience in real-world agricultural applications. Through their participation, students are gaining valuable insights into how their foundational knowledge in material science and RF communication can be translated into impactful solutions for precision agriculture challenges. The collaborative nature of the project encourages students to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively, fostering a culture of interdisciplinary learning and innovation. Their enthusiasm and dedication to pursuing groundbreaking work in precision agriculture are evident, fueling their passion for addressing complex agricultural challenges. Moreover, the project serves as a catalyst for students' career development in agricultural fields and precision agriculture. By engaging in cutting-edge research and practical applications, students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and experiences necessary to excel in their future careers. It is anticipated that graduates trained through this program will become leaders and innovators in the field of precision agriculture, driving advancements and sustainable solutions to address global food security challenges. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Yes, the work has been presented at internal conferences between the College of Agriculture and the College of Engineering at Purdue. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the upcoming reporting period, the project team will continue to advance towards achieving the project goals by focusing on several key activities and initiatives. Expanding Soil Condition Assessments: Building upon the initial assessment of nail-shaped sensors with cellulose acetate coating, the team will expand its efforts to create multiple soil conditions and microbial activation levels. By varying moisture levels and soil physical conditions, the team aims to comprehensively monitor sensor responses in diverse environmental settings. To facilitate this, the team is developing a multi-channel data acquisition system to enable real-time monitoring of sensor responses across different conditions. Enhancing Data Acquisition Capabilities: Recognizing the importance of continuous and large-scale data acquisition, the team is working to improve data acquisition capabilities to monitor sensor responses effectively. The implementation of a multi-channel data acquisition system will enable simultaneous monitoring of sensor responses in various soil conditions, providing valuable insights into the correlation between microbial activity levels and sensor responses. Validating Sensor Performance: In order to provide quantitative and ground truth assessment of sensor performance, the team will employ appropriate ground truth measurements, including plate reading and enzymatic assays. These measures will ensure accurate and reliable evaluation of sensor performance under different environmental conditions. Addressing Sensor Coating Delamination: To mitigate variation between sensors resulting from random delamination of the cellulose acetate coating, the team will investigate strategies to improve coating adhesion and stability. By identifying and addressing factors contributing to coating delamination, the team aims to enhance sensor consistency and reliability. Exploring Non-Contact Remote Assessment: In the next phase of the project, the team will explore the possibility of interfacing the designed interface antennas with nail-shaped sensors. This will enable non-contact remote assessment of impedance readings from the sensors, eliminating the need for wire connections and enhancing sensor deployment flexibility and usability.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In response to the growing demand for food production and the imperative for more efficient use of agricultural resources, our project aimed to revolutionize soil health assessment by harnessing the natural resources of soil microbes. Traditional methods for evaluating soil health often rely on complex and costly machinery, limiting their practicality for in-field assessment. Recognizing this limitation, our team embarked on a systematic exploration of a novel approach that leverages the cellulolytic activity of soil microorganisms to develop an in-situ sensing platform for continuous soil health monitoring. Since the inception of the project, our focus has been on designing sensors capable of effectively assessing soil health. Through extensive laboratory experimentation, we made significant discoveries regarding the use of cellulose acetate polymer film and electrical impedance monitoring to detect and quantify cellulolytic activity within the soil. These preliminary findings highlighted a promising correlation between microbial levels and the rate of cellulose degradation, laying the foundation for further sensor development. To enhance the quantitative and reliable nature of our sensing platform, we explored the possibility of functionalizing electrodes with cellulose acetate polymer. However, our journey was not without challenges. We observed that soil moisture and temperature exerted significant influence on sensor response, necessitating the creation of controlled soil conditions to establish sensor performance accurately. In the course of our experiments, we uncovered intriguing insights into the interplay between soil microbial activity and soil properties. Notably, soils with higher microbial activity exhibited distinct water holding capacities and drying rates compared to sterilized soils, underscoring the profound impact of soil microbes not only on nutrient availability but also on soil physical properties. Through our project, we have not only developed innovative sensor technologies but also generated valuable new knowledge about the dynamic relationship between soil microbes, soil health, and agricultural productivity. This newfound understanding holds promise for informing more sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices in the future. Update on project objectives: Objective 1: Development of Smart Nails The team made significant progress in designing smart nails in a modular configuration, combining RF transmitting antenna panels with attachable nail-shaped probes for wireless soil sensing. Various sensor designs were systematically explored to ensure ease of fabrication and installation into different soil types with minimal force. A notable achievement was the identification of a rapid production process for sensors, allowing for adjustable thickness and coating of cellulose acetate. However, challenges related to adhesion between electrodes and cellulose acetate coating were encountered. Ongoing investigations are focused on optimizing processes and surface functionalization techniques to address these challenges. Additionally, interface antennas for remote data acquisition were designed, enabling simultaneous measurements from multiple nail-shaped sensors. Systematic simulations and lab characterizations are currently underway to refine sensor performance. Objective 2: Development and Testing of Functionalized Smart Nails The team successfully optimized the electrode configuration of nail-shaped sensors to maximize sensitivity using RF simulation tools. Current efforts are focused on assessing sensor sensitivity for moisture and microbial activities under various soil conditions. This involves artificially manipulating microbial activity levels by sterilizing soil and introducing different concentrations of commercially available soil microbial cocktails. Results have yielded insights into the correlation between microbial activity, water holding capacity, and water absorption rates in different soil conditions. Ground truth validation tools such as plate reading for bacteria quantification and enzyme assay kits for microbial activity assessment have been identified. Ground truth measurements for soil moisture and temperature using commercial probes are being recorded concurrently. Objective 3: Development of a Low-Power Portable Interrogation System The team has made progress in identifying an effective interface and readout antenna for sensory antennas. In pursuit of broader applicability and ease of implementation, investigations into utilizing Arduino-based programming for interfacing the reader antenna and data collection are underway. This approach aims to facilitate seamless integration and usage of the technology by other stakeholders, enhancing its accessibility and usability. Objective 4: In-Field Assessment of Smart Nails While not the primary focus of current work, the team is laying the groundwork for future in-field assessments of smart nails under different regenerative agricultural management practices. Initial efforts involve evaluating the readability of interrogation antennas in both lab and field settings to assess functionality under complex conditions. This preparatory work will ensure the readiness of developed sensors for subsequent field testing and implementation. Overall, the project has made significant strides in achieving its objectives, laying the foundation for innovative soil monitoring technologies that can help promote sustainable soil management.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Electronic-Free Traceable Smart Capsule for Gastrointestinal Microbiome Sampling
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Smart capsule for monitoring inflammation profile throughout the gastrointestinal tract
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