#Agricultural Engineering

[a-typical]

American Holocaust — David E. Stannard

[sikshapedia]

Careers in Agricultural Engineering: Opportunities and Pathways

Introduction

As agriculture continues to evolve with technological advancements, agricultural engineering plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of farming. But what is agricultural engineering? It’s a field dedicated to applying engineering principles to the agricultural sector, enhancing the efficiency, sustainability, and productivity of agricultural practices.

For those interested in both technology and agriculture, a BTech in Agricultural Engineering offers an exciting pathway to contribute to innovations in farming. This program merges engineering concepts with agricultural sciences, equipping students with the tools to tackle modern farming challenges.

Agricultural engineering courses encompass a wide range of topics, including soil management, irrigation systems, agricultural machinery, and post-harvest technology. These courses are designed to prepare students for roles in precision agriculture, sustainable farming, and agricultural technology development.

When it comes to choosing the right educational institution, the best colleges for agricultural engineering in India provide comprehensive programs that balance theory and hands-on experience. In this blog, we’ll delve into the importance of agricultural engineering, the courses available, and how this field is transforming the landscape of agriculture.

What is Agricultural Engineering?

Agricultural engineering is a field that combines engineering principles with agricultural sciences to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of farming practices. It encompasses the design, development, and implementation of technology and systems that improve agricultural productivity, reduce waste, and promote environmental sustainability. This interdisciplinary field integrates mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering with biology and environmental science to address the diverse challenges in agriculture.

Core Areas of Agricultural Engineering

1. Machinery and Equipment Design: Agricultural engineers work on developing and optimizing machinery and equipment used in farming. This includes tractors, harvesters, and irrigation systems. The goal is to design equipment that increases efficiency, reduces labor, and minimizes environmental impact.

2. Irrigation and Water Management: Effective water management is crucial for agriculture. Agricultural engineers design advanced irrigation systems that optimize water usage, reduce wastage, and ensure crops receive the right amount of water. This involves developing technologies such as drip irrigation and automated irrigation systems.

3. Soil and Water Conservation: Soil health is vital for successful farming. Engineers in this field focus on methods to prevent soil erosion, improve soil fertility, and manage water resources. Techniques like contour plowing, terracing, and soil moisture management are key areas of study.

4. Agricultural Structures: Designing and constructing agricultural buildings, such as barns, greenhouses, and storage facilities, falls under this category. These structures must be functional, durable, and capable of protecting crops and livestock from environmental factors.

5. Post-Harvest Technology: After harvesting, proper handling and processing of agricultural products are essential to prevent spoilage and ensure quality. Agricultural engineers develop technologies for drying, storing, and processing crops to maximize shelf life and minimize losses.

Educational Pathways in Agricultural Engineering

A career in agricultural engineering typically starts with a BTech in Agricultural Engineering or a similar undergraduate degree. This program provides a solid foundation in engineering principles, agricultural science, and practical skills. Students learn about crop production, soil management, irrigation, and the design of agricultural machinery.

Advanced studies, such as master’s and doctoral programs, allow for specialization in areas like precision agriculture, sustainable farming practices, or agricultural robotics. These programs offer deeper insights into specific challenges and technologies in the field.

Career Opportunities in Agricultural Engineering

Graduates with a background in agricultural engineering have a wide range of career opportunities. They can work in:

Farm Management: Implementing and managing technology and systems on farms to improve productivity and sustainability.

Agricultural Equipment Manufacturing: Designing and developing machinery and equipment for the agriculture industry.

Environmental Consulting: Advising on soil and water conservation practices, and developing strategies for sustainable farming.

Research and Development: Working in research institutions or companies to innovate new technologies and solutions for agriculture.

The Future of Agricultural Engineering

The field of agricultural engineering is rapidly evolving with advancements in technology. Innovations such as precision farming, which uses data and sensors to optimize crop management, and the development of autonomous farming equipment, are transforming agriculture. Engineers in this field are also working on sustainable practices to address the challenges posed by climate change and resource depletion.

The integration of technology in agriculture is crucial for meeting the growing food demands of the global population while preserving natural resources. Agricultural engineers are at the forefront of this transformation, driving progress and creating solutions that ensure a sustainable future for farming.

Conclusion

Agricultural engineering is a dynamic and essential field that merges technology with agriculture to improve farming practices and ensure food security. By focusing on machinery, irrigation, soil management, and post-harvest technology, agricultural engineers play a crucial role in advancing the agricultural industry. With a range of career opportunities and a promising future, this field offers a rewarding path for those passionate about technology and agriculture.

[agrinextcon]

From Farm Machinery to Food Safety: Understanding the Different Types of Agricultural Engineering

Agricultural engineering, also known as agricultural and biosystems engineering, is the field of study and application of engineering science and designs principles for agriculture purposes, combining the various disciplines of mechanical, civil, electrical, food science, environmental, software, and chemical engineering to improve the efficiency of farms and agribusiness enterprises as well as to ensure sustainability of natural and renewable resources. In this blog, we will explore the world of Agricultural Engineering, a crucial discipline that combines engineering principles with agricultural practices to solve industry challenges. We will delve into what this field entails, appreciate its rich history, and examine the various roles and responsibilities of agricultural engineers. Additionally, we will investigate the diverse types of agricultural engineering and their impact on modern farming.

Agricultural Engineering: A Brief History

The field of Agricultural Engineering has a rich and varied history. In the early 20th century, agricultural engineering was largely focused on engine-powered machinery for farms, like tractors and harvesters. Over time, it evolved to address a variety of other issues, such as irrigation and drainage, farm structures, and soil and water conservation.

One early achievement in agricultural engineering was the development of the grain elevator in the late 1840s, which paved the way for more efficient grain storage and transport. This innovation significantly improved the handling and movement of large quantities of grain, making the process faster and less labour-intensive.

As the 20th century progressed, agricultural engineers continued to develop technologies and practices that enhanced agricultural productivity and sustainability. From precision irrigation systems to advanced soil management techniques, the field has continually adapted to meet the changing needs of agriculture.

Understanding the Types of Agricultural Engineering

Agricultural engineering plays a pivotal role in the modernization and sustainability of farming practices. It combines engineering principles with agricultural knowledge to solve problems and enhance productivity. 

Here’s an overview of the main types of agricultural engineering:

Farm Power and Machinery Engineering

The field of Farm Power and Machinery  focuses on the design, development, and maintenance of machinery used in farming. It includes:

Tractors: Essential for various farm tasks like ploughing, planting, and harvesting.For example, John Deere is a leading manufacturer of innovative farm machinery.

Harvesters: Machines that efficiently gather crops from the fields,such as the New Holland CR Revelation series.

Irrigation Systems: Devices and infrastructure that provide water to crops, improving yield and conserving water,like those developed by Netafim, a global leader in precision irrigation solutions.

Advancements in this field aim to increase productivity, reduce manual labour, and enhance the efficiency of farming operations.

Soil and Water ConservationEngineering

Soil and water are the two basic natural resources that sustain life on the Earth. The soil, plant and water interactions are pivotal to enhance productivity to meet the challenge of food security. 

Soil and water engineering deals with the sustainable management and conservation of soil and water resources. Key areas include:

Irrigation Systems: Technologies designed to optimize water usage for crops.The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) focuses on sustainable water use in agriculture.

Drainage Systems: Solutions to remove excess water from soil, preventing crop damage.

Soil Erosion Control: Methods to prevent soil degradation and maintain soil health.

This type of engineering ensures that natural resources are used efficiently and sustainably, supporting long-term agricultural productivity.

 Food and Bioprocess Engineering

The Role of Food and Bioprocess Engineers in the Growing Food Industry

The food industry, a significant part of the nation's economy, is growing steadily due to changing consumer needs and increased awareness of nutritional and environmental issues. Food and bioprocess engineers play a crucial role in this sector by developing processes to convert raw farm materials into food products.

Key Areas of Focus:

Application of Engineering Principles

Processing and production of food.

Ensuring food safety and health benefits.

Innovative Food Packaging

Developing new methods to improve food packaging.

Improving Food Quality

Working on techniques to enhance the quality of food products.

Food Storage Practices

Developing better food storage methods to prolong shelf life and maintain quality.

Enhancing Food Production Techniques

Creating more efficient and sustainable food production processes.

Handling Processing Wastes

Managing waste generated from food processing.

Finding alternative uses for biological materials (e.g., using newspaper and soy flour for construction materials or corn stalks for chemical absorbent pads).

Food and bioprocess engineers are vital in transforming raw agricultural products into food and other bioproducts, contributing to the industry's innovation and sustainability.

Agricultural Structures and Environmental Engineering

Agricultural Structures and Environmental Control, revolves around the development of structures and systems designed to facilitate agricultural practices whilst managing the environmental impact.This field involves the design and construction of agricultural structures such as barns, silos, and greenhouses. It includes:

Sustainable Designs: Structures that minimize environmental impact and maximize energy efficiency.

Animal Housing: Facilities designed to ensure the welfare and productivity of livestock.

Crop Storage: Solutions to safely store crops and protect them from pests and spoilage.

These structures play a crucial role in protecting crops and livestock, ensuring a steady food supply.

Energy in Agriculture

Agriculture relies on energy at every stage of growth, involving both direct and indirect use:

Direct Use

Energy is used to operate equipment, manage water, irrigate, and harvest. This includes:Electricity ,Fuel ,Wind and Solar Biomass

Indirect Use

Energy is used in the form of fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs. For instance, fertilizers contributed 68.4% of indirect energy use in 2009-10, but only 60.61% in 2019-20.

Improving Energy Efficiency and Sustainability

Analyzing energy use can help enhance efficiency and sustainability in agriculture. Some ways to reduce energy use include:

Nutrient Management

Efficiently use nutrients, especially nitrogen fertilizer, through soil testing, banding fertilizers and pesticides, and precision agriculture.

Energy Crops

Grow low-cost, low-maintenance crops processed into renewable biofuels like pellets, bioethanol, or biogas. These fuels can be burned to generate heat or electricity.

Alternative Energy Sources and Technologies

Exploring alternative energy sources and technologies can make farming more sustainable. This includes:

Biofuels: Renewable fuels derived from agricultural products.POETis one of the world’s largest producers of biofuels.

Solar Energy: Solar panels and other technologies to power farm operations,

like those implemented by Solar Agriculture

Wind Energy: Wind turbines to generate electricity for agricultural use.

Utilizing renewable energy sources reduces the carbon footprint of agriculture and promotes sustainable farming practices.

Agricultural Systems and Automation

This modern branch integrates technology and automation into farming. Key components include:

Drones: Used for monitoring crops, spraying pesticides, and gathering data.DJI Agriculture offers advanced agricultural drone solutions.

Robotics: Automated systems for planting, weeding, and harvesting.

Iron Ox uses robotics to optimize indoor farming.

Precision Agriculture: Data-driven approaches to optimize farming practices and improve crop yield.Automation and precision agriculture enhance accuracy, reduce labour costs, and increase efficiency in farming.such as those provided by Trimble Agriculture.

Animal and Livestock Engineering

Animal and livestock engineering focuses on the systems and equipment needed for managing livestock. It includes:

Feeding Systems: Automated and efficient ways to feed animals,like those from Lely, which specializes in robotic milking and feeding systems.

Housing: Designing comfortable and productive living environments for animals.such as Anaergia's biogas systems.

Waste Management: Solutions to handle and recycle animal waste sustainably,such as Anaergia's biogas systems.

Ensuring the well-being of livestock improves productivity and supports sustainable animal husbandry.

Examples of Agricultural Engineering

Assuming these categories, we can find numerous real-world examples of agricultural engineering projects. For instance, in the category of farm power and machinery ,the use of drones in agriculture has significantly enhanced efficiency in crop monitoring and treatment applications.

 In the area of structures and environmental control, vertical farming stands out as a prominent example, involving the production of food in vertically stacked layers.

 The development and management of high-efficiency drip irrigation systems in regions with water scarcity are prime examples of soil and water conservation efforts.

 In the realm of food and bioprocess engineering, modified atmospheric packaging is a well-known example, designed to extend the shelf life of food products.

Finally, in all these examples, the principles of agricultural engineering are applied to solving real-world problems, making farming and food production more efficient and sustainable. This is the true essence of agricultural engineering.

How Different Types of Agricultural Engineering Interact

These types of agricultural engineering are not isolated; they interact with each other in meaningful ways. For instance, designing a new high-efficiency irrigation system (soil and water conservation) might require the development of a specialized pumping station (farm power and machinery). Creating a vertical farm (agricultural structures and environmental control) involves implementing innovative climate control measures to maintain crop health (soil and water conservation) and employing advanced processing techniques to extend the harvest's shelf life (food and bioprocess engineering)

Conclusion

Agricultural engineering is a diverse and dynamic field that addresses various challenges in modern farming. By leveraging engineering principles, it enhances efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in agriculture. Whether it’s through advanced machinery, sustainable resource management, or innovative technologies, agricultural engineering continues to drive the evolution of farming practices to meet the needs of a growing global population.It's interesting to note that agricultural engineering not only focuses on creating highly efficient farming methods but also concerns itself with confronting serious global issues including climate change, overall sustainability, and food scarcity.

[ppginstituteoftechnology]

B.Tech agriculture colleges in coimbatore | Best Engineering Colleges

Coimbatore, P. P. G. Institute of Technology (PPGIT) is distinguished among the best B.Tech agriculture colleges in Tamil Nadu. Known for its robust agricultural engineering program, PPGIT offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical knowledge with practical applications. The college boasts state-of-the-art facilities, including agricultural laboratories, research centers, and experimental farms, providing students with hands-on learning experiences. PPGIT's experienced faculty members are dedicated to fostering innovation and sustainable agricultural practices, preparing students for diverse careers in the agricultural sector. With a strong emphasis on practical skills and industry exposure, PPGIT ensures graduates are well-equipped to address contemporary challenges in agriculture and agri-business.

[jcmarchi]

Electronic “Soil” Enhances Crop Growth - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/electronic-soil-enhances-crop-growth-technology-org/

Electronic “Soil” Enhances Crop Growth - Technology Org

Crops – barley seedlings – grow on average 50% more when their root system is stimulated electrically through a new cultivation substrate.

In a study published in the journal PNAS, researchers from Linköping University have developed an electrically conductive “soil” for soilless cultivation, known as hydroponics

Eleni Stavrinidou, senior associate professor and supervisor of the study, and Alexandra Sandéhn, PhD student, one of the lead authors, connect the eSoil to a low power source for stimulating plant growth. Image credit: Thor Balkhed/Linköping University

“The world population is increasing, and we also have climate change. So it’s clear that we won’t be able to cover the food demands of the planet with only the already existing agricultural methods. But with hydroponics we can grow food also in urban environments in very controlled settings,” says Eleni Stavrinidou, associate professor at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics at Linköping University, and leader of the Electronic Plants group.

Her research group has now developed an electrically conductive cultivation substrate tailored to hydroponic cultivation which they call eSoil. The Linköping University researchers have shown that barley seedlings grown in the conductive “soil” grew up to 50% more in 15 days when their roots were stimulated electrically.

Soilless cultivation

Hydroponic cultivation means that plants grow without soil, needing only water, nutrients and something their roots can attach to – a substrate. It is a closed system that enables water recirculation so that each seedling gets exactly the nutrients it needs.

Therefore, very little water is required and all nutrients remain in the system, which is not possible in traditional cultivation.

Eleni Stavrinidou, senior associate professor at the Laboratory of Organic Electronics. Image credit: Thor Balkhed / Linköping University

Hydroponics also enables vertical cultivation in large towers to maximise space efficiency. Crops already being cultivated in this manner include lettuce, herbs and some vegetables. Grains are not typically grown in hydroponics apart for their use as fodder.

In this study the researchers show that barley seedlings can be cultivated using hydroponics and that they have a better growth rate thanks to electrical stimulation.

“In this way, we can get seedlings to grow faster with less resources. We don’t yet know how it actually works, which biological mechanisms that are involved. What we have found is that seedlings process nitrogen more effectively, but it’s not clear yet how the electrical stimulation impacts this process,” says Eleni Starvrinidou.

Contribute to food security

Mineral wool is often used as cultivation substrate in hydroponics. Not only is this non-biodegradable, it is also produced with a very energy intensive process.

The electronic cultivation substrate eSoil is made of cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer, mixed with a conductive polymer called PEDOT. This combination as such is not new, but this is the first time it has been used for plant cultivation and for creating an interface for plants in this manner.

Previous research has used high voltage to stimulate the roots. The advantage of the Linköping researchers’ “soil” is that it has very low energy consumption and no high voltage danger. Eleni Stavrinidou believes that the new study will open the pathway for new research areas to develop further hydroponic cultivation.

“We can’t say that hydroponics will solve the problem of food security. But it can definitely help particularly in areas with little arable land and with harsh environmental conditions.”

The study was funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation through the Wallenberg Wood Science Centre, the Swedish Research Council, the EU Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research and the Strategic Research Advanced Functional Materials, AFM, at Linköping University.

Article: eSoil: Low power bioelectronic growth scaffold enhances crop seedlings growth; Vasileios K. Oikonomou, Miriam Huerta, Alexandra Sandéhn, Till Dreier, Yohann Daguerre, Hyungwoo Lim, Magnus Berggren, Eleni Pavlopoulou, Torgny Näsholm, Martin Bech, Eleni Stavrinidou; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS); published online 26 December 2023. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2304135120

Written by Anders Törneholm

Source: Linköping University

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[santong]

Which Is Best For You? Desktop Vs Laptop

Which Is Best For You? Desktop Vs Laptop

Due to our technological advancement in today’s era, people are faced with an endless list of possible options when it comes to purchasing a personal computer. If you’re choosing between a laptop and a desktop, you could definitely use this article. (more…)

[girderednerve]

i have once more Read a Book !

the book was jim morris' cancer factory: industrial chemicals, corporate deception, & the hidden deaths of american workers. this book! is very good! it is primarily about the bladder cancer outbreak associated with the goodyear plant in niagara falls, new york, & which was caused by a chemical called orthotoluedine. goodyear itself is shielded by new york's workers' comp law from any real liability for these exposures & occupational illnesses; instead, a lot of the information that morris relies on comes from suits against dupont, which manufactured the orthotoluedine that goodyear used, & despite clear internal awareness of its carcinogenicity, did not inform its clients, who then failed to protect their workers. fuck dupont! morris also points out that goodyear manufactured polyvinyl chloride (PVC) at that plant, and, along with other PVC manufacturers, colluded to hide the cancer-causing effects of vinyl chloride, a primary ingredient in PVC & the chemical spilled in east palestine, ohio in 2023. the book also discusses other chemical threats to american workers, including, and this was exciting for me personally, silica; it mentions the hawks nest tunnel disaster (widely forgotten now despite being influential in the 30s, and, by some measures, the deadliest industrial disaster in US history) & spends some time on the outbreak of severe silicosis among southern california countertop fabricators, associated with high-silica 'engineered stone' or 'quartz' countertops. i shrieked about that, the coverage is really good although the treatment of hawks nest was very brief & neglected the racial dynamic at play (the workers exposed to silica at hawks nest were primarily migrant black workers from the deep south).

cancer factory spends a lot of time on the regulatory apparatus in place to respond to chemical threats in the workplace, & thoroughly lays out how inadequate they are. OSHA is responsible for setting exposure standards for workplace chemicals, but they have standards for only a tiny fraction—less than one percent!—of chemicals used in american industry, and issue standards extremely slowly. the two major issues it faces, outside of its pathetically tiny budget, are 1) the standard for demonstrating harm for workers is higher than it is for the general public, a problem substantially worsened during the reagan administration but not created by it, and 2) OSHA is obliged to regulate each individual chemical separately, rather than by functional groups, which, if you know anything at all about organic chemistry, is nonsensical on its face. morris spends a good amount of time on the tenure of eula bingham as the head of OSHA during the carter administration; she was the first woman to head the organization & made a lot of reasonable reforms (a cotton dust standard for textile workers!), but could not get a general chemical standard, allowing OSHA to regulate chemicals in blocks instead of individually, through, & then of course much of her good work was undone by reagan appointees.

the part of the book that made me most uncomfortable was morris' attempt to include birth defects in his analysis. i don't especially love the term 'birth defect'—it feels cruel & seems to me to openly devalue disabled people's lives, no?—but i did appreciate attention to women's experiences in the workplace, and i think workplace chemical exposure is an underdiscussed part of reproductive justice. cancer factory mentions women lead workers who were forced to undergo tubal ligations to retain their employment, supposedly because lead is a teratogen. morris points at workers in silicon valley's electronics industry; workers, most of them women, who made those early transistors were exposed to horrifying amounts of lead, benzene, and dangerous solvents, often with disabling effects for their children.

morris points out again & again that we only know that there was an outbreak of bladder cancer & that it should be associated with o-toluedine because the goodyear plant workers were organized with the oil, chemical, & atomic workers (OCAW; now part of united steelworkers), and the union pursued NIOSH investigation and advocated for improved safety and monitoring for employees, present & former. even so, 78 workers got bladder cancer, 3 died of angiosarcoma, and goodyear workers' families experienced bladder cancer and miscarriage as a result of secondary exposure. i kept thinking about unorganized workers in the deep south, cancer alley in louisiana, miners & refinery workers; we don't have meaningful safety enforcement or monitoring for many of these workers. we simply do not know how many of them have been sickened & killed by their employers. there is no political will among people with power to count & prevent these deaths. labor protections for workers are better under the biden administration than the trump administration, but biden's last proposed budget leaves OSHA with a functional budget cut after inflation, and there is no federal heat safety standard for indoor workers. the best we get is marginal improvement, & workers die. i know you know! but it's too big to hold all the same.

anyway it's a good book, it's wide-ranging & interested in a lot of experiences of work in america, & morris presents an intimate (sometimes painfully so!) portrait of workers who were harmed by goodyear & dupont. would recommend

[stone-cold-groove]

The world of tomorrow is taking form today. Davidson Chemical Corporation ad - 1943.

[pre-dentalstudentdiary]

[ophilosoraptoro]

FDA Finds Unexpected Antibiotic Resistance Genes in 'Gene-Edited' Dehorned Cattle

[dastardlywlw]

I was clearing out the usual porn bots when I noticed an unusual bot following me, with a series of similar bots in the notes of each other.

They all post the same few videos, tagged "South Lake County Agricultural Historical Society", "Michigan Steam Engine and Threshers Club", "Northeast Indiana Steam and Gas Association 2013".

I'm actually losing my marbles what is happening please somebody anybody

[evesprettylittlediaryy]

If you're a biology student and doing your internship in agricultural engineering, it's being way more difficult than you expected.

Both garden plants and fungus/bacterium studies are followed in this laboratory. I have been seeding bacteria, purifying fungal strains, taking care of plants and doing more.

I have learnt so many things, I got new aspects to the biology. But the most important thing was to learn how to believe yourself.

I would like to talk about it in another post so soon.

Hope everyone is doing well.

I know I do not post regularly and frequently, but I'm doing my best.

Sorry for these delays.

I'll take care of everything so soon.

[zumer-feygele]

I'm listening to the last podcast on the left episode on la llorona and they've gotten into the mesoamerican mythos and history behind the story and I keep wincing because they keep getting shit wrong

[jcmarchi]

Dirt-powered fuel cell runs forever - Technology Org

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/dirt-powered-fuel-cell-runs-forever-technology-org/

Dirt-powered fuel cell runs forever - Technology Org

A Northwestern University-led team of researchers has developed a new fuel cell that harvests energy from microbes living in dirt.

About the size of a standard paperback book, the completely soil-powered technology could fuel underground sensors used in precision agriculture and green infrastructure. This could potentially offer a sustainable, renewable alternative to batteries, which hold toxic, flammable chemicals that leach into the ground, are fraught with conflict-filled supply chains, and contribute to the ever-growing problem of electronic waste.

Working in the lab, Northwestern alumnus Bill Yen buries the fuel cell in soil.

To test the new fuel cell, the researchers used it to power sensors measuring soil moisture and detecting touch, a capability that could be valuable for tracking passing animals. To enable wireless communications, the researchers also equipped the soil-powered sensor with a tiny antenna to transmit data to a neighboring base station by reflecting existing radio frequency signals.

Not only did the fuel cell work in both wet and dry conditions, but its power also outlasted similar technologies by 120%.

The research was published in the Proceedings of the Association for Computing Machinery on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies. The study authors also are releasing all designs, tutorials and simulation tools to the public, so others may use and build upon the research.

“The number of devices in the Internet of Things (IoT) is constantly growing,” said Northwestern alumnus Bill Yen, who led the work. “If we imagine a future with trillions of these devices, we cannot build every one of them out of lithium, heavy metals and toxins that are dangerous to the environment. We need to find alternatives that can provide low amounts of energy to power a decentralized network of devices. In a search for solutions, we looked to soil microbial fuel cells, which use special microbes to break down soil and use that low amount of energy to power sensors. As long as there is organic carbon in the soil for the microbes to break down, the fuel cell can potentially last forever.”

“These microbes are ubiquitous; they already live in soil everywhere,” said Northwestern’s George Wells, a senior author on the study. “We can use very simple engineered systems to capture their electricity. We’re not going to power entire cities with this energy. But we can capture minute amounts of energy to fuel practical, low-power applications.”

Wells is an associate civil and environmental engineering professor at Northwestern’s McCormick School of Engineering. Now a Ph.D. student at Stanford University, Yen started this project when he was an undergraduate researcher in Wells’ laboratory.

Solutions for a dirty job

In recent years, farmers worldwide have increasingly adopted precision agriculture as a strategy to improve crop yields. The tech-driven approach relies on measuring precise levels of moisture, nutrients and contaminants in soil to make decisions that enhance crop health. This requires a widespread, dispersed network of electronic devices to collect environmental data continuously.

“If you want to put a sensor out in the wild, in a farm or in a wetland, you are constrained to putting a battery in it or harvesting solar energy,” Yen said. “Solar panels don’t work well in dirty environments because they get covered with dirt, do not work when the sun isn’t out and take up a lot of space. Batteries also are challenging because they run out of power. Farmers are not going to go around a 100-acre farm to regularly swap out batteries or dust off solar panels.”

To overcome these challenges, Wells, Yen and their collaborators wondered if they could instead harvest energy from the existing environment. “We could harvest energy from the soil that farmers are monitoring anyway,” Yen said.

‘Stymied efforts’

Making their first appearance in 1911, soil-based microbial fuel cells (MFCs) operate like a battery — with an anode, cathode and electrolyte. But instead of using chemicals to generate electricity, MFCs harvest electricity from bacteria that naturally donate electrons to nearby conductors. When these electrons flow from the anode to the cathode, it creates an electric circuit.

But in order for microbial fuel cells to operate without disruption, they need to stay hydrated and oxygenated — which is tricky when buried underground within dry dirt.

“Although MFCs have existed as a concept for more than a century, their unreliable performance and low output power have stymied efforts to make practical use of them, especially in low-moisture conditions,” Yen said.

Winning geometry 

With these challenges in mind, Yen and his team embarked on a two-year journey to develop a practical, reliable soil-based MFC. His expedition included creating — and comparing — four different versions. First, the researchers collected a combined nine months of data on the performance of each design. Then, they tested their final version in an outdoor garden.

The best-performing prototype worked well in dry conditions as well as within a water-logged environment. The secret behind its success: Its geometry. Instead of using a traditional design, in which the anode and cathode are parallel to one another, the winning fuel cell leveraged a perpendicular design.

Made of carbon felt (an inexpensive, abundant conductor to capture the microbes’ electrons), the anode is horizontal to the ground’s surface. Made of an inert, conductive metal, the cathode sits vertically atop the anode.

Although the entire device is buried, the vertical design ensures that the top end is flush with the ground’s surface. A 3D-printed cap rests on top of the device to prevent debris from falling inside. And a hole on top and an empty air chamber running alongside the cathode enable consistent airflow.  

The lower end of the cathode remains nestled deep beneath the surface, ensuring that it stays hydrated from the moist, surrounding soil — even when the surface soil dries out in the sunlight. The researchers also coated part of the cathode with waterproofing material to allow it to breathe during a flood. And, after a potential flood, the vertical design enables the cathode to dry out gradually rather than all at once.

On average, the resulting fuel cell generated 68 times more power than needed to operate its sensors. It also was robust enough to withstand large changes in soil moisture — from somewhat dry (41% water by volume) to completely underwater.

Making computing accessible

The researchers say all components for their soil-based MFC can be purchased at a local hardware store. Next, they plan to develop a soil-based MFC made from fully biodegradable materials. Both designs bypass complicated supply chains and avoid using conflict minerals.

“With the COVID-19 pandemic, we all became familiar with how a crisis can disrupt the global supply chain for electronics,” said study co-author Josiah Hester, a former Northwestern faculty member who is now at the Georgia Institute of Technology. “We want to build devices that use local supply chains and low-cost materials to make computing accessible for all communities.”

Source: Northwestern University

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[taevisionceo]

TAEVision 3D Design Applications [Auto] [Agri] Automotive Agriculture Farm Farms Farming Forest Dodge RAM Trucks PickUp OffRoad GCWR 3500 Laramie Red Pearl ▸ TAEVision Engineering on Pinterest [Auto] ▸ TAEVision Engineering on Google Photos [Auto] ▸ TAEVision Engineering on Pinterest [Agri] ▸ TAEVision Engineering on Google Photos [Agri]

Data 438 - Jul 18, 2023