2002 Annual Report
Research
Biosensor Development
Jonathan Chaplin, Associate Professor
Josh Braun, Graduate Student
Nate Hemming, Undergraduate Student
Funding Sources
AgriChem, Inc.; Minnesota Technology, Inc.
Objective
To investigate the use of a multifrequency RF sensor in measuring physical
and chemical properties of granular materials including grains, soil,
and fertilizer.
Project Description
The value of newly developed row crop varieties, such as high oil corn
or soy beans, maintain their added value only if their identity can be
maintained as they are moved from the farm to the end user. At this time
there are essentially no methods for on-line monitoring of these crops.
Their assay is confirmed and identity is maintained by physical sampling
and time consuming and labor intensive laboratory procedures.
An on-line sensor capable of accurately monitoring specific value adding
traits would certainly simplify and expedite tracking commodities moving
from the producer toward their ultimate use. Such a sensor would allow
automated sorting at bulk receiving areas, which in turn could allow the
present transportation and storage infrastructure to function largely
as is.
The project is to examine the spectral response of a commercially available
sensor (MoisturePLUS™On-Line Sensor) to various types of cereal grain,
soils and granular fertilizers, with varying physical properties. The
demonstrated use of the sensor has been to measure sample moisture content
and sample density. The proposed work will examine specific sensor response
to starch, oil, and protein content in grain samples. Additionally we
will investigate using the sensor on other bio-related granular products.
If we can use the sensor to determine the mass flow and bulk density of
granular fertilizer, then it will be advantageous to use the device in
controlling the application of fertilizer in precision farming. Other
work may include measuring soil moisture in real time. Traditionally this
has been an invasive procedure, however the RF device being investigated
may have the ability to measure soil moisture in the seed layer during
planting.
Results
We have been developing a library of response signatures. Materials we have looked at include corn, soybeans, wheat, biodegradable plastics, corn oil and glass beads.