Biosensor Development

Jonathan Chaplin, Associate Professor
Joshua Braun, Research Assistant

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.

Need or Impact

The device that we have been testing can be used to categorize many types of granular material. We have used the sensor to look at whole grain such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. A wide range of materials has also been analyzed, such as fertilizers, soils, and processed granular feeds. Sensors and sensing technologies play an important role in management of agricultural products from planting to processing. Along with the raw technology comes a need for data processing to identify parameters that can be observed and characterized. Using an AgriChem capacitive (dielectric) spectroscope, multiple varieties of corn, soybeans, wheat, and ground meals were studied and analyzed. Using a k-nearest-neighbor pattern recognition algorithm on a polynomial transformation of the sensor data, correct grouping and classification of the materials was consistently observed. The device will be useful to farmers, grain handlers, and processors.

Project Status

In progress.