Scientists create 3D printed wearable sensors for plants, enabling measurements of water use in crops

Scientists create 3D printed wearable sensors for plants, enabling measurements of water use in crops

“Scientists at Iowa State University are using 3D printing to make graphene-based sensors-on-tape that can be used to collect data about water use in crops. The sensors could also be used in biomedical diagnostics, architecture, and other fields.

With a technology that can produce precise patterns of graphene as small as 5 millionths of a meter wide, you might wonder why Iowa State University is using such technology to produce “tattoo sensors” for plants.

The answer lies in data collection. By attaching graphene-based sensors-on-tape to plants, Iowa State scientists can provide new kinds of data to researchers and farmers, helping them better understand the natural processes behind plants and taking advantage of that knowledge to produce better results—academic or commercial…”

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http://www.3ders.org/articles/20180105-scientists-create-3d-printed-wearable-sensors-for-plants-enabling-measurements-of-water-use-in-crops.html