SBIR-STTR Award

There is a recognized need, in agricultural research and irrigation farming, to devise improved instruments for measuring plant and soil water potential. The proposed research has the overall and long-term goal of contributing to the reduction of water used in irrigation and increasing crop yields. Specific objectives are: 1) Demonstrate the feasibility of depositing customized plasma polymer membranes on rigid microporous substrates of suitable geometry and durability, 2) Characterize the morphology and diffusive transport properties of these membranes, 3) Develop and test prototype sensors for the measurement of soil water potential, 4) Analyze sensor performance data and deduce design criteria for practical sensors, 5) Show how Phase I results could be extended in Phases II and III, leading to commercial water potential instruments.

Anticipated Results:
This research is expected to demonstrate that plasma polymer membranes, on suitable substrates, can lead to water potential sensors of superior performance. Specific design data will apply the results to the development of prototype sensors. Performance data from laboratory tests will define the direction of development of practical sensors whose commercial versions could be developed in Phase II. Phase 111 would bring products to market that could significantly enhance horticultural research, reduce water use in irrigation farming, and advance environmental protection.

There is a recognized need, in agricultural research and irrigation farming, to devise improved instruments for measuring plant and soil water potential. The proposed research and development has the overall aim to perfect the water potential sensor whose feasibility was demonstrated in Phase I. Specific objections are: 1) Formulation and confirmation of selection criteria for materials from which microporous membrane substrates are made. 2) Development of design criteria for the geometric and dimensional specifications of tubular membrane substrates. 3) Optimization of sensor performance through membrane composition and deposition methods. 4) Design and construction of prototype sensors for a practical system to measure soil water potential. 5) Completion of a field-tested prototype instrument ready for commercialization. 6) Creation of a Phase III plan to manufacture and market a commercial water potential instrument with proven performance. The long-term goal is to provide an instrument whose measurement of water potential will contribute to agricultural efficiency and basic knowledge of plant water usage.

Anticipated Results:
The research is expected to produce a prototype instrument, based on a membrane sensor element, which has superior performance in measuring soil water potential. Data from laboratory and field tests will be analyzed to define the design of practicable commercial versions of the instrument and alternative readout systems. Phase III would bring products to market that could significantly enhance horticultural research, reduce water usage in irrigation farming, and advance environmental protection.