Article
Agronomy
Yuhi Satoh, Hideki Kakiuchi
Summary: The study investigated the performance of a low-cost soil water content sensor in monitoring volumetric soil water content in agricultural fields. Calibration methods were established to correct the influences of soil temperature and electrical conductivity on soil water content. Results showed higher accuracy in sensor measurements under certain conditions, confirming the usefulness of the sensor in monitoring soil water content in agricultural fields.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Daniel O'Brien, Michael Richardson, Douglas Karcher
Summary: Managing root zone moisture is crucial for the health and performance of sand-based golf course putting greens. Time domain reflectometry (TDR) is a widely accepted technology for measuring volumetric water content (VWC), but limited in its ability to measure VWC near the surface. This research aimed to expand the measurement capabilities of a TDR meter and successfully developed prediction models for estimating VWC in the uppermost 1.2 and 2.5 cm of sand-based putting greens.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Yi-Bing Lin, Yun-Wei Lin
Summary: This article emphasizes the importance of using air and soil sensors in smart agriculture to collect soil-related data autonomously. It explores the issue of inaccuracy due to EC sensor aging and proposes a solution with redundant EC sensors packaged in one device. The article presents the first out-of-the-laboratory automatic calibration procedure in the farm field and introduces the SensorTalk mechanism for extending the sensors' life through calibration. Additionally, it sheds light on the misconception that redundant-sensor packages have longer lifespans and suggests a self-calibration process to prolong their operation.
IEEE INTERNET OF THINGS JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Chao Meng, Wei Yang, Xinjian Ren, Dong Wang, Minzan Li
Summary: Soil texture is a crucial factor affecting soil properties, and rapid acquisition of soil texture information is important for accurate farmland management. Traditional soil texture analysis methods are complex and do not meet the requirements for temporal and spatial resolution. This research presents a self-developed vehicle-mounted in-situ soil texture detection system, which can predict soil texture type and particle composition, and obtain real-time data without soil sample preprocessing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Li Xing, Wei Qin, Kiril Manevski, Yuming Zhang, Chunsheng Hu, Lijuan Zhang, Wenxu Dong, Yuying Wang, Xiaoxin Li, Gokul Gaudel, Shuping Qin
Summary: Microsensors have been used to accurately quantify N2O emissions in microenvironments with high spatiotemporal resolution. This study improved the calibration of a microelectrode for measuring N2O emissions from agricultural soil, revealing significantly higher emissions from the rhizosphere compared to the bulk soil. The statistical modeling showed a significant relationship between N2O emissions, soil inorganic nitrogen contents, and management practices.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Xueliang Zhao, Ying Chen, Guanghua Wei, Junfei Liu
Summary: The paper presents a simple and accurate measurement method for a four-electrode conductivity probe based on bi-directional voltage pulse principle. By modulating the two-way differential AC pulse voltage signal into a single DC stationary voltage response signal, the demand for software and hardware is reduced and the influence of excitation voltage pulse amplitude on accuracy is effectively eliminated. The proposed method achieves synchronous rectification DC measurement without any control timing and provides a mathematical expression for the relationship between the output DC voltage signal and solution conductivity. Test results show that the method has a relative error within 2.5% in a conductance range of 10 uS/cm to 200 mS/cm with good application prospect.
REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Mengyao Ni, Qingyuan Sheng, Xiliang Zhang
Summary: This study proposed a low-cost capacitance sensor with dual frequency excitation for soil water content measurement, and introduced a two-step calibration method to reduce the impact of soil bulk electrical conductivity on water content. The results indicated that the two-step calibration method was more accurate and effective compared to empirical equations.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Giovanna Dragonetti, Mohammad Farzamian, Angelo Basile, Fernando Monteiro Santos, Antonio Coppola
Summary: This paper proposes a noninvasive in situ method integrating electromagnetic induction (EMI) and hydrological modeling to estimate soil hydraulic and transport properties at the plot scale. The results show that the EMI-based estimations of soil hydraulic properties and transport properties were fairly accurate in comparison with those obtained from direct measurements.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Soil Science
Weiliu Li, Lin Liu, Yili Lu, Tusheng Ren, Robert Horton
Summary: Soil thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity have an impact on heat conduction and electrical conduction in soils. This study developed a unified series-parallel resistor model to describe the relationship between thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity in soils with a unimodal pore size distribution. The mirror image phenomenon was used to derive a new normalized electrical conductivity model, which showed good agreement with measured values and provided an effective way to estimate the electrical conductivity of unsaturated soils.
Article
Agronomy
D. L. Corwin, E. Scudiero, D. Zaccaria
Summary: Climate change is expected to increase drought frequency and intensity in water-scarce agricultural areas that rely on irrigation. This study conducted a field experiment to develop improved soil sampling guidelines for mapping salinity patterns under drip-irrigation systems. The revised guidelines provide more accurate calibration between soil electrical conductivity and salinity, expanding the application of ECa-directed soil sampling in orchards under drip irrigation.
AGRICULTURAL WATER MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Mathematics, Applied
Mohamed Elkhodbia, Imad Barsoum, Feras Korkees, Shrinivas Bojanampati
Summary: This study investigates the accuracy and capability of Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT)-based touch sensors using artificial neural networks (ANNs). A finite element model is used to solve the forward EIT problem and determine the mechanical response of the sensor body. Experimental data on material properties are implemented in the model, and ANNs are used to extract mechanics-based parameters for image reconstruction. The ANNs accurately predict the spatial coordinates of the touch point and the system's mechanical behavior.
FINITE ELEMENTS IN ANALYSIS AND DESIGN
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Xiaolei Wang, Yuhao Wang, Henry Leung, Subhas Chandra Mukhopadhyay, Yongqiang Cui, Di Bai
Summary: Although conductivity is commonly used for water quality detection of inorganic ions, it may not be effective when multiple ions are present. To tackle this issue, the article proposes a new measurement method using interfacial impedance for ion detection. Through theoretical analysis and comparing different measuring models, a current-controlled method with difference measurement was developed, along with an equivalent circuit. A novel three-electrode sensor was designed and fabricated, and experimental results demonstrated its performance in interfacial impedance measurement and its relationship with conductivity.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Laurent Lassabatere, Pierre-Emmanuel Peyneau, Deniz Yilmaz, Joseph Pollacco, Jesus Fernandez-Galvez, Borja Latorre, David Moret-Fernandez, Simone Di Prima, Mehdi Rahmati, Ryan D. Stewart, Majdi Abou Najm, Claude Hammecker, Rafael Angulo-Jaramillo
Summary: This study proposes a mixed formulation that can quantify the infiltration of water into soils. The formulation is robust and well-suited to various hydraulic functions and boundary conditions, overcoming the numerical difficulties in the previous formulation.
HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Amelia Bellosta-Diest, Miguel A. Campo-Bescos, Jesus Zapateria-Miranda, Javier Casali, Luis M. Arregui
Summary: Synthetic nitrogen fertilizers have played a significant role in increasing crop yield, but nitrate contamination poses a threat to the environment and human health. This study compared the performance of three commercial probes and found that Nutrisens probe had the highest accuracy and sensitivity in measuring nitrate concentrations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sen-Hao Cheng, Bernard A. Engel, Rong Liu, Hao-Xing Wu, Yu-Bao Wang
Summary: The necessity and rationality of using an impedance factor in the calculation of hydraulic conductivity of frozen soil has been debated. By analyzing the physical meaning of the impedance factor using ice segregation theory, a relationship between the impedance factor and soil parameters was deduced. The results showed that the impedance factor was necessary for water migration in freezing systems with a high degree of ice segregation and the derived impedance factor combined with the VG model had good performance for simulating water migration under different freezing conditions.
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Romain Georges Martin, Christer Johansson, Jason Robert Tavares, Martine Dube
Summary: Induction welding relies on applying an alternating magnetic field to generate heat at the joining interface. This study investigates susceptors made of magnetic particles dispersed in a thermoplastic polymer, proposing a methodology to identify parameters influencing heating rates and select suitable magnetic particles. Evaluating iron, nickel, and magnetite as susceptor materials in different matrices, results show that Ni is most suitable for PP, while Fe3O4 is preferable for PEEK.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Ser-Oddamba Byambadorj, Batkhuu Nyam-Osor, Byung Bae Park, Tseepil Avirmed, Gabriella Stefania Scippa, Donato Chiatante, Antonio Montagnoli, Anastazija Dimitrova
Summary: This study compared biomass partitioning of two tree species, Populus sibirica and Ulmus pumila, under different conditions, finding that each species prioritizes different aspects of development when faced with challenges. Ulmus pumila is more drought-resistant, while Populus sibirica shows higher biomass production potential.
Article
Thermodynamics
Johan Bjurstrom, Fredrik Ohlsson, Andreas Vikerfors, Cristina Rusu, Christer Johansson
Summary: This paper introduces a novel concept for efficiently harvesting vibrational energy at low frequencies and small displacements using an electromagnetic energy harvester. Simulation modeling and experimental validation demonstrate the potential performance of this method under harmonic and non-harmonic excitations.
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Forestry
R. Kasten Dumroese, Mattia Terzaghi, Manuel Acevedo, Bruno Lasserre, Gabriella S. Scippa, L. Scott Baggett, Donato Chiatante, Antonio Montagnoli
Summary: The study revisited a Pinus ponderosa plantation and found that all trees, regardless of copper treatment, responded to mechanical stresses by initiating more roots to enhance stem stability. While the copper treatment may induce short-term changes to root architecture, the species' long-term plastic response to mechanical stresses plays a more critical role.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Henrik Staaf, Anurak Sawatdee, Cristina Rusu, David Nilsson, Philipp Schaeffner, Christer Johansson
Summary: The study investigates the magnetoelectric coupling between Metglas films and P(VDF-TrFE), utilizing graphite ink and a noncontact readout method to achieve high magnetoelectric coupling values. 2D laser Doppler vibrometer measurements are applied to reveal the complex vibration patterns resulting in strong resonant response.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Paul Burger, Gyanendra Singh, Christer Johansson, Carlos Moya, Gilles Bruylants, Gerhard Jakob, Alexei Kalaboukhov
Summary: Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are important for fabrication of tailored nanomagnetic structures. In this study, precise and controllable manipulation of individual magnetite MNPs using atomic force microscope was demonstrated. Placing MNPs on a two-dimensional electron gas and observing hysteresis loop verified the approach. Additionally, the effective coercivity of the hysteresis loop could be changed by altering the cooling field angle, which is related to the alignment of magnetic moment along the easy axis in magnetite.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Peter Andersson Ersman, Jerry Eriksson, Darius Jakonis, Sandra Pantzare, Jessica Ahlin, Jan Strandberg, Stefan Sundin, Henrik Toss, Fredrik Ahrentorp, Kaies Daoud, Christian Jonasson, Henrik Svensson, Greger Gregard, Ulf Naslund, Christer Johansson
Summary: This study presents screen printed piezoelectric sensors laminated between glass panes in the temperature range of 80-110 degrees C. The sensors showed no degradation of the piezoelectric signals at 110 degrees C, despite approaching the Curie temperature of the piezoelectric material. The sensors were characterized by monitoring force impact in smart glass applications using a calibrated impact hammer system and standardized impact situations.
ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sobhan Sepehri, Johanna Andersson, Vincent Schaller, Cordula Gruettner, Mats Stading, Christer Johansson
Summary: We have developed a nano-rheological characterization tool to extract the frequency- and scale-dependent rheological properties of soft materials during oral processing. The tool utilizes AC susceptometry to measure the dynamic magnetization of magnetic nanoparticles blended in the matrix material. The magnetic AC susceptibility spectra of the particles are affected by the viscosity and mechanical modulus of the matrix material, providing valuable information on its rheological properties.
Article
Ecology
Alessandro Bricca, Marta G. Sperandii, Alicia T. R. Acosta, Antonio Montagnoli, Greta La Bella, Mattia Terzaghi, Marta Carboni
Summary: The role of plant traits in shaping community assembly along environmental gradients is a topic of ongoing research. It is well accepted that plant traits of aboveground organs tend to be conservative in stressful conditions. However, there is limited understanding of how belowground traits respond. Plants may have similar strategies above and belowground, but an intriguing possibility is that there is a tradeoff between above and belowground traits of communities to both ensure efficient resource-use and limit niche overlap along the gradient.
Article
Plant Sciences
Tseepil Avirmed, Byambadorj Ser-Oddamba, Donato Chiatante, Khulan Sharavdorj, Byambaa Ganbat, Gerelbaatar Sukhbaatar, Batkhuu Nyam-Osor
Summary: This study examines the variation in carbon sequestration in two semi-arid sites (BN and ER) after planting three tree species (Populus sibirica, Ulmus pumila, and Hippophae rhamnoides). Soil organic carbon (SOC) was analyzed at different depths, and it was found that the contribution of the three tree species to carbon sequestration differed in these two sites. Above-ground biomass was higher at the BN site, while below-ground biomass prevailed at the ER site. P. sibirica showed the highest biomass value among the three species. SOC values were highest in the topsoil layer and decreased with depth. This study demonstrates that carbon sequestration in semi-arid lands depends on environmental factors, tree density, and tree species.
Article
Engineering, Multidisciplinary
Romain G. Martin, Martin Figueiredo, Christer Johansson, Jason R. Tavares, Martine Dube
Summary: Welding techniques are emerging as a fast and efficient alternative to adhesives and mechanical fasteners for joining thermoplastic composite parts. Induction welding, relying on an oscillating magnetic field and a magnetic susceptor to generate heat, has been investigated using Polyetherimide (PEI) and nickel (Ni) particles as susceptors. The experimental results show that increasing the concentration of Ni particles results in higher heating rates and temperatures.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Sobhan Sepehri, Stacy Trey, Kajsa Lake, Carl Cumming, Christer Johansson
Summary: This study investigates the use of eddy-current technology and impedance spectroscopy for sensing changes in rubber properties after accelerated thermal aging. The aging process of EPDM rubbers containing carbon black (CB) and graphene was examined through temperature and pressure application over time. Eddy-current sensing and electrical impedance measurement techniques were employed for electromagnetic analysis, measuring the in- and out-of-phase responses with excitation frequency. The study demonstrates the feasibility of using electromagnetic analysis techniques to assess the extent of aging.
Article
Plant Sciences
Peter Beatrice, Alessio Miali, Silvia Baronti, Donato Chiatante, Antonio Montagnoli
Summary: Introducing plants in the design of biophilic indoor environments is crucial for enhancing human health, well-being, and performance. Various strategies, including the use of biochar soil amendment, mirrors, and continuous photoperiod, can improve plant growth under CoeLux(R) lighting systems.
Article
Plant Sciences
Alex Ceriani, Michele Dalle Fratte, Gustavo Agosto, Antonio Montagnoli, Bruno Enrico Leone Cerabolini
Summary: The eradication of invasive alien plant species is a worldwide necessity. This study investigated the potential bioenergy use of the biomass obtained from eradicating these plants. The results revealed that herbaceous plants are better suited for biochemical processes, while woody plants are more suitable for thermal processes. Grime's CSR strategies were found to be an effective tool for defining the bioenergy potential of these plants.
