Microwave soil moisture sensors based on distributed elements

Senzori vlažnosti zemljišta su od ključnog značaja za sisteme za navodnjavanje kojima je moguće uvećati prinose u proseku za 79%. U okviru ove disertacije razvijena su dva senzorska rešenja za merenje vlažnosti zemljišta. Prvi senzor je namenjen određivanju vlažnosti uzoraka zemljišta u neporemećenom stanju. Rešenje je nastalo nadogradnjom standardne opreme za uzorkovanje zemljišta. Za pomenuti senzor konstruisana je kalibraciona kriva kojom je moguće odrediti vlažnost zemljišta sa relativnom greškom ne većom od 2.5%. Drugo senzorsko rešenje je fabrikovano u LTCC tehnologiji, malih je dimenzija i namenjeno je primeni na terenu. Glavna prednost ovog senzora je da na njega ne utiče provodnost zemljišta koja je usko povezana sa tipom zemljišta. Predloženi senzor je testiran na dva uzorka zemljišta različitog hemijskog sastava. Rezultati merenja su pokazali da tip zemljišta nema uticaj na odziv senzora. Ostvarena relativna greška u odnosu na pun merni opseg iznosi 5.36%.Soil moisture sensors are of great importance for the irrigation systems that are able to increase the yiel on avarage of 79%. Within this thesis two sensor solutions have been developed. The first sensor, which is intended for laboratory use, has been designed by upgrading existing sampling equipment. The constructed calibration curve for this type of sensor that can be used for soil mositure determination with relative error not larger than 2.5% with respect to full scale output. The second sensor solution is designed to be used in the field. It is fabricated in LTCC technology and it is charaterized by small overall dimensions. The main advantage of this sensor is that it is immune to the soil electrical conductivity which is closely related to the soil type. Proposed sensor is tested on two soil sample of different chemical composition and the results have shown that the type of soil does not influence the sensor response. The relative error with the respect of full scale output was only 5.36 %

Microwave soil moisture sensors based on distributed elements

Senzori vlažnosti zemljišta su od ključnog značaja za sisteme za navodnjavanje kojima je moguće uvećati prinose u proseku za 79%. U okviru ove disertacije razvijena su dva senzorska rešenja za merenje vlažnosti zemljišta. Prvi senzor je namenjen određivanju vlažnosti uzoraka zemljišta u neporemećenom stanju. Rešenje je nastalo nadogradnjom standardne opreme za uzorkovanje zemljišta. Za pomenuti senzor konstruisana je kalibraciona kriva kojom je moguće odrediti vlažnost zemljišta sa relativnom greškom ne većom od 2.5%. Drugo senzorsko rešenje je fabrikovano u LTCC tehnologiji, malih je dimenzija i namenjeno je primeni na terenu. Glavna prednost ovog senzora je da na njega ne utiče provodnost zemljišta koja je usko povezana sa tipom zemljišta. Predloženi senzor je testiran na dva uzorka zemljišta različitog hemijskog sastava. Rezultati merenja su pokazali da tip zemljišta nema uticaj na odziv senzora. Ostvarena relativna greška u odnosu na pun merni opseg iznosi 5.36%.Soil moisture sensors are of great importance for the irrigation systems that are able to increase the yiel on avarage of 79%. Within this thesis two sensor solutions have been developed. The first sensor, which is intended for laboratory use, has been designed by upgrading existing sampling equipment. The constructed calibration curve for this type of sensor that can be used for soil mositure determination with relative error not larger than 2.5% with respect to full scale output. The second sensor solution is designed to be used in the field. It is fabricated in LTCC technology and it is charaterized by small overall dimensions. The main advantage of this sensor is that it is immune to the soil electrical conductivity which is closely related to the soil type. Proposed sensor is tested on two soil sample of different chemical composition and the results have shown that the type of soil does not influence the sensor response. The relative error with the respect of full scale output was only 5.36 %

Soil moisture sensors based on metamaterials

In this paper novel miniature metamaterial-based soil moisture sensors are presented. The sensors are based on resonant-type metamaterials and employ split-ring resonators (SRR), spiral resonators and fractal SRRs to achieve small dimensions, high sensitivity, and compatibility with standard planar fabrication technologies. All these features make the proposedsensors suitable for deployment in agriculture for precise mapping of soil humidity

The effect of herbal extract Foeniculum vulgare Mill. solution on the mechanical and wetting properties of heat polymerized denture base resin

Introduction. Commercially used chemical dental cleansers adversely affect mechanical properties of denture. Therefore, there is a need for finding an alternative which will not change the surface properties of material. Aim. This paper studied the effect of the herbal extract (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) solution on the wetting and mechanical properties of heat-polymerized denture base resin compared to the same properties of the same resin in the native state (in air) and exposed only to aqueous environment. Material and methods. Rectangular shape of heat polymerized acrylic resin (15 mm x 15 mm x 3 mm) were prepared and divided into: (i) sample continuously exposed to air - AIR; (ii) sample continuously exposed to distilled water - DW; and (iii) sample exposed to 10% solution of the fennel leaves extract - PES. Wetting properties were measured by sessile drop method, whereas mechanical properties were analyzed by nanoindentation method. Results. Results showed that samples AIR had the lowest ΘC value 64.5±2.3 °, while the other two samples DW and PES had similar ΘC values (75.4±3.3 °, 75.7±4.7 °, respectively). Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in hardness coefficient, while Young's modulus showed a significant difference (p < 0.005) only between the samples AIR and DW. Conclusion. The obtained values confirmed that fennel extract can be used as successful and efficient cleanser, without degradation of denture surface

A Sensor for the Measurement of the Moisture of Undisturbed Soil Samples

sensor

Agrobot Lala&mdash;An Autonomous Robotic System for Real-Time, In-Field Soil Sampling, and Analysis of Nitrates

This paper presents an autonomous robotic system, an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), for in-field soil sampling and analysis of nitrates. Compared to standard methods of soil analysis it has several advantages: each sample is individually analyzed compared to average sample analysis in standard methods; each sample is georeferenced, providing a map for precision base fertilizing; the process is fully autonomous; samples are analyzed in real-time, approximately 30 min per sample; and lightweight for less soil compaction. The robotic system has several modules: commercial robotic platform, anchoring module, sampling module, sample preparation module, sample analysis module, and communication module. The system is augmented with an in-house developed cloud-based platform. This platform uses satellite images, and an artificial intelligence (AI) proprietary algorithm to divide the target field into representative zones for sampling, thus, reducing and optimizing the number and locations of the samples. Based on this, a task is created for the robot to automatically sample at those locations. The user is provided with an in-house developed smartphone app enabling overview and monitoring of the task, changing the positions, removing and adding of the sampling points. The results of the measurements are uploaded to the cloud for further analysis and the creation of prescription maps for variable rate base fertilization

Nuevas oportunidades de colaboración entre actores de los ecosistemas de innovación regional. Fomento de capacidades regionales y desarrollo territorial

Workshop celebrado en Iasi (Rumanía) el 25 de junio de 2019.[EN] An open system for science and innovation across Europe makes it possible that all actors can become active in that system. The main way to attain this objective is by developing an extensive network of collaborating organisations at different dimensions and levels joining efforts and alignment with key players that will add value to the work and allow to maximise the impact and efficiency. EIT RIS contributes to boosting innovation in European countries and regions that belong to the groups of ‘modest and moderate’ innovators. This is also the ambition of Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation under Horizon 2020: with Teaming, Twinning and ERAChairs, the programme promotes cooperation between more and less advanced European countries and boosts innovation in the whole EU. JRC, DG REGIO and the national and regional ESIF Managing Authorities (MAs) and bodies responsible for RIS3 implementation work with common stakeholders from across the quadruple helix. These stakeholders are crucial for efficient RIS3 implementation, as well as for successful cooperation under EIT RIS and Widening actions. Enhancing communication between all of them and aligning their activities can foster regional capacities and create more collaboration opportunities for each actor of the regional innovation ecosystems. The workshop intends to be a highly practical workshop, and it is aimed at providing discussion between the ESIF/OPs Managing Authorities (MAs), RIS3 implementing bodies, EIT-KIC partners and Widening stakeholders, from the widening countries/regions. The workshop is a side events to the 10th edition of Week of Innovative Regions in Europe (WIRE X) conference that is held by the North-East Regional Development Agency (Romania) on 26-28 June 2019 in the city of IASI.[ES] Un sistema abierto para la ciencia y la innovación en toda Europa hace posible que todos los actores puedan participar activamente en ese sistema. La principal forma de lograr este objetivo es mediante el desarrollo de una amplia red de organizaciones colaborando en diferentes dimensiones y niveles, uniendo esfuerzos y alineación con actores clave, que agregarán valor al trabajo y permitirán maximizar el impacto y la eficiencia. Como un caso representativo de alineación, el objetivo del EIT RIS es contribuir a impulsar la innovación en los países y regiones europeos que pertenecen a los grupos de innovadores "modestos y moderados" (según el Cuadro de indicadores de innovación europeo); este es también el objetivo del programa “Spreading Excellence and Widening Participation” (SEWP) de Horizonte 2020 a través de las acciones Teaming, Twinning y ERA-Chair. Por otro lado, el JRC, la DG REGIO y las Autoridades de Gestión Nacionales y Regionales de fondos ESIF, así como los organismos responsables de la implementación de RIS3, trabajan con stakeholders comunes de toda la cuádruple hélice. Estos stakeholders son cruciales para la implementación eficiente de las RIS3, así como para una cooperación exitosa bajo las acciones de SEWP y RIS del EIT. Por lo tanto, mejorar la comunicación entre todos y alinear sus actividades puede fomentar las capacidades regionales y crear más oportunidades de colaboración para cada actor del ecosistema de innovación regional. El taller fué un taller eminentemente práctico y estuvo orientado a proporcionar un debate entre las Autoridades de Gestión de ESIF, organismos de implementación de RIS3, socios de EIT-KICs y los stakeholders de SEWP de los países / regiones en expansión.0. Agenda.-- 1. Ozbolat, Nida Kamil. The role of territories in addressing global challenges: Connecting places to global value chains through innovation.-- 2. Supjeva, Laura. KICs activities and Funding opportunities of EIT RIS. Roles and contributions of KICs to regional innovation ecosystems.-- 3. Supjeva, Laura; Ozbolat, Nida Kamil. Collaboration Mechanisms with EIT Community in a RIS3 Context.-- 4. Vivas Lalinde, Irene. EIT Climate KIC cooperation with managing authorities and other organizations regarding EU funds.-- 5. Szydłowski, Kamil. A sustainable future for European regions.-- 6. Szaloki, Katalin. EIT Health Innostars – Collaboration opportunities between EIT and ESIF. How to ensure financial synergy between objectives and initiatives of EU?.-- 7. Borzęcka, Magdalena. New Strategies on Bio-Economy in Poland HORIZON 2020 research and innovation programme.-- 8. Kůrová, Marika. Experience on multi-actor approach for SEWP projects.-- 9. Karakatsanis, Andreas. The MaRITeC-X/CMMI Project. A successful example of multi-stakeholder engagement.-- 10.Kitić, Goran. Antares. H2020 Teaming project.-- 11. Costache, Carmen Elena. Competitiveness Operational Programme COP. Priority Axis 1 – Research, Development and Innovation.-- 12. Alburquerque Silva, João. Horizon Europe. The next EU Research & Innovation Investment Programme (2021-2017). Impact of SWEP and Horizon EuropeN