SBIR-STTR Award

Many agricultural crops require application of pesticides and/or herbicides. The applicator's job includes two tasks. First is to accurately place a specified uniform spray density onto the crop or soil surface. Second is to minimize or eliminate drift of particles into sensitive areas such as homes or schoolyards. Currently, applicators have no means to verify uniform coverage or determine the extent of drift in real time while the opportunity for corrective action exists. The effort proposed will develop a calibrated ground based sensor(s) which can communicate to the pilot/applicator: (I) the amount of liquid actually being deposited, and (2) the arrival of drift particles in any controlled or sensitive area being monitored. The effort will first evaluate several basic sensor designs and then select one or more for further testing. Tests will be conducted in the laboratory and field, with aerial and ground based spray equipment being used. Sensor output(s) will be communicated to the aircraft or tractor, providing real time monitoring directly to the applicator. Completion of development of the experimental hardware design followed by extensive testing in this phase will provide the basis for the Phase II effort.Applications:The monitor, when commercialized, will aid the farmer, the applicator and governmental regulatory agencies. Using this device, the applicator can provide more uniform coverage, thus reducing cost by keeping the amount of chemicals dispensed to a minimum, and can reduce, and in some cases eliminate deposits of chemicals outside of the target area. The farmer, along with regulatory agencies, can use the monitor for verification of applicator performance and for monitoring drift.

This Phase II proposal describes the effort required to take the Phase I Real Time Spray Drift detector work through research and development. This includes development of product requirements based on user needs; generation of preliminary specificati Ins; design, fabrication, test, and analysis of prototype hardware; and estimation of cost for production hardware. This information provides the data necessary to begin the Phase III commercialization. Based on Phase I findings, this work will complete the R&D for the basic unit which can accept either of two interchangeable sensors. These are (1) a low cost, highly sensitive, conductivity based sensor and (2) a light absorbing sensor which provides quantitative data. When combined with data storage, these two alternatives provide a broad based means for monitoring agricultural spray drift. A critical part of the effort, will be the completion of research studies to determine basic accuracy requirements, and to determine alternative methods for deployment and operation of each instrument type depending on the unique needs of the various users. These studies will be reflected in product specifications and evaluation tests to assure that the instruments have the basic capability to provide the capabilities required by users.

Anticipated Results:
Development of product requirements, and a comprehensive test and evaluation in the lab and field are expected to produce a product which will provide benefits to spray applicators, farmers, environmental regulators, and researchers. These devices will add real time dimensions to the monitoring and control of spray drift losses. The applicator will have the ability to know, rather than hope, that he is in control of dispensing potentially hazardous materials. In addition the regulatory agencies will have better data to assess the true environmental impact of drift losses. Finally, through knowledge, all parties will gradually improve their skills and capabilities.