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System integration of electronic functionality in packaging applicationUnander, Tomas January 2011 (has links)
Sensor applications are becoming increasingly important as products are now being requested to be more and more intelligent and safe. As the costs involved in sensor technology decrease its usage will spread to new market segments including new areas with products that have never previously used such functionalities, including, wood fibre based products for packaging, hygiene or graphical use. Currently there is a significant interest in developing technology that will allow packages to become interactive and be integrated with digital services accessible on the Internet. In this thesis, the system integration of a hybrid RFID based sensor platform is presented. This proposed platform provides a trade-off between the communication performance and its compatibility with international standards and also includes flexibility in on‐package customization, including the type and number of sensors. In addition it combines the use of traditional silicon based electronics with printed electronics directly onto wood fibre based materials so as to enable the possibility of creating smart packages. Together with the system integration of the sensor platform, five printed moisture sensor concepts that are designed to work with the sensor platform are presented and characterized. Firstly, there is a moisture sensor that shows a good correlation to the moisture content of wood fibre based substrates. The second one involves a sensor that detects high relative humidity levels in the air and the third is an action activated energy cell that provides power when activated by moisture. The fourth one deals with two types of moisture sensors that utilize silver nano-particles in order to measure the relative humidity in the air. The final one is a printable touch sensitive sensor that is sensitive to the moisture contained in the hand. A concept of remote moisture sensing that utilizes ordinary low cost RFID tags has also been presented and characterized. The main focus is thus on system integration to, by combining silicon based electronics with printed electronics, find the most low cost solution with regards to flexibility, sensor functions and still meet the communication standards. / När efterfrågan på mer intelligenta och säkra produkter ökar så ökar även intresset för olika typer av sensorer. När kostnaden för dessa sensorer sjunker så kommer användandet av dessa att utökas till nya marknadssegment som tidigare inte använt denna typ av funktionalitet, som tillexempel pappersbaserade förpackningar, hygienartiklar och papper för grafiskttryck. Det är för närvarande ett stort intresse att utveckla tekniker som tillåter förpackningar att bli interaktiva och integrerade med olika digitala tjänster kopplade till Internet. I denna avhandling så presenteras systemintegrationen av en RFID baserad sensor plattform som tillhandahåller en avvägning mellan kommunikationsprestanda, kompabilitet med internationella standarder och kundanpassningsflexibilitet. Där man direkt på förpackningen kombinerar fördelarna med traditionell kiselbaserad elektronik med trycktelektronik för att kunna skapa intelligenta förpackningar. I avhandlingen presenteras och utvärderas även fem trycka fuktsensorer som är designade att kunna användas tillsammans med sensor plattformen. Den första sensorn mäter fukthalten i cellulosabaserade substrat. Den andra kan detektera höga fukthalter i luften. Den tredje, som aktiveras vid en händelse, producerar en elektrisk ström när den blir fuktig. Den fjärde sensorn använder sig av silverbaserade partiklar i nanostorlek för att mäta fukthalten i luften. Den femte sensorn är en beröringskänslig sensor som ger utslag av fukten i handen. Utöver dessa sensorer så utvärderas även ett koncept med en fuktsensor som kan läsas av på avstånd. Fokus är således att på system integrationsnivå, med hjälp av att kombinera kisel elektronik med tryckt elektronik, hitta den mest kostnadseffektiva lösningen med avseende på flexibilitet, sensor funktionalitet och att även kunna möta kommunikationsstandarderna.
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Substrate Moisture Content Effects on Growth and Shelf Life of Angelonia angustifoliaBingham, Alison 2012 May 1900 (has links)
Wilting during shelf life is a major cause of postharvest shrink for bedding plants shipped long distances from production greenhouses to retail outlets. The objective of this research was to determine if irrigation at lower, constant substrate moisture content (SMC) during greenhouse production would be a feasible way to acclimate plants for reduced shrinkage during shelf life, while potentially conserving irrigation water.
Rooted plugs of Angelonia angustifolia 'Angelface Blue' were grown in greenhouse production until a marketable stage in substrates irrigated at SMC levels of 10, 20, 30, and 40% using a controlled irrigation system. At the end of the greenhouse production stage, plants were irrigated to container capacity and subjected to a simulated shipping environment, in shipping boxes in the dark for two days. After shipping, plants were placed back in the greenhouse and watered minimally to simulate a retail environment. Data was taken at the end of each stage i.e. greenhouse production, simulated shipping, and simulated retail. Parameters measured at the end of the production stage were fresh and senesced flower number, stem number, pre-dawn and mid-day water potential, SPAD meter readings (Experiment 2), and plant height and node number segmented into vegetative, flowering, and bud area. Plant quality was observed and rated. At the end of the simulated retail stage, the same data was taken, along with fresh and dry shoot and root weight.
Results indicated that as SMC decreased from 40 to 10%, plants were shorter in height, but had proportional flowering sections (Experiment 1) or more compact flowering sections (Experiment 2). The volume of water received by the 40% SMC plants was three times greater (Experiment 1) and 12 times greater (Experiment 2) than the 20% SMC plants during greenhouse production, and two times greater (Experiment 1) and nine time greater (Experiment 2) during simulated retail. Additionally, the 40% SMC plants used 15 liters (Experiment 1) and 38 liters (Experiment 2) of water during greenhouse production compared to the 20% SMC plants using only three liters in both experiments. During simulated retail the 40% SMC plants used six liters (Experiment 1) and nine liters (Experiment 2) of water while the 20% SMC plants used five liters (Experiment 1) and three liters (Experiment 2) of water. During production, mid-day water potentials decreased as the SMC levels decreased, but at the end of the simulated retail (Experiment 1), the mid-day water potentials were all the same, suggesting plants that were drought stressed during production area were acclimated to lower water levels experienced in retail settings.
Overall, the 20% SMC treatment produced the best postharvest quality plant due to reduced plant height without detrimental effects on flowering. The results demonstrate that while conserving water, controlled irrigation at a medium-low SMC can produce high quality plants that have equal shelf life to those that are irrigated at high levels.
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Effects of Irrigation Scheduling using Soil Moisture Sensors, Irrigation Termination, and Simulated Damage on Plant Development and Yield on Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) in the Mid-SouthPlumblee, Michael Thomas 04 May 2018 (has links)
Through proper irrigation scheduling and management of damaged cotton, sustainable agricultural withdrawal from the Mississippi River Valley Alluvial Aquifer can be achieved while maximizing net returns. This research was conducted to 1) develop a sensor based irrigation strategy that maximized cotton lint yield and quality, irrigation, and water use efficiency (IWUE) and 2) quantify the effects of timing of damage, intensity, and foliar N on cotton growth and development. Lint yield, fiber quality, and IWUE were optimized using a season-long irrigation threshold of -90 kPa and irrigation terminated 2-weeks before cracked boll. Regardless of cotton variety (early- or late-maturing) or timing of damage, plant height, number of nodes, and lint yield were negatively correlated with the intensity of damage. Moreover, the application of foliar nitrogen to damaged cotton had no effect on plant growth, lint yield, or fiber quality, regardless of N application timing. These data indicate that lint yield, and fiber quality are optimized when cotton varieties are selected based on yield potential, irrigated at -90 kPa threshold, and irrigations are terminated two weeks before cracked boll.
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Optimizing Irrigation and Fertigation for Watermelon Production in Southern IndianaEmerson Luna Espinoza (18853381) 22 June 2024 (has links)
<p dir="ltr"><a href="" target="_blank">Watermelon [<i>Citrullus lanatus </i>(Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] is one of the world's top three most consumed fruits.</a> Indiana cultivates approximately 7,000 acres of watermelons every year, ranking 6<sup>th</sup> in the nation. More than 70% of this production is concentrated in and around Knox County, making Southern Indiana a key region for watermelon production in the States. Despite its significance, watermelon production faces many challenges, including erratic rainfall patterns exacerbated by climate change. Enhanced irrigation management has emerged as a critical strategy in mitigating negative environmental effects and in optimizing fertilizer applications.</p><p dir="ltr">Currently, Southern Indiana farmers have incorporated different irrigation and fertilization practices into watermelon production, yet the effects on production outcomes remain poorly understood. To bridge this gap in knowledge, this study aims to explore the effects of existing practices on watermelon yield and develop irrigation guidelines for optimal production in the region. The experiment was conducted at Southwest Purdue Agricultural Center, Vincennes, Indiana, in 2022 and 2023. Four treatments were applied: High Irrigation, Low Irrigation, No Irrigation, and Fertigation. Fertigation treatment received the same water application as the High Irrigation treatment. Fertilizers were applied pre-plant in the High, Low, and No irrigation treatments, while frequent fertigation was applied to the Fertigation Treatment. Soil moisture sensors measuring volumetric water content were used for irrigation decisions. In 2022, the irrigation thresholds were set at 15% water depletion at 1-ft depth for High Irrigation and Fertigation treatment, and 2-ft depth for Low Irrigation. In 2023, the irrigation threshold for Low Irrigation was adjusted to 40% water depletion at 1-ft depth.</p><p dir="ltr">While soil moisture levels in the bed at the different depths varied notably among treatments, no significant differences in yield by weight were observed. The minimal impact of irrigation on watermelon yield suggests that rainfall provides sufficient water, preventing yield-reducing stress. However, the Fertigation and High Irrigation treatments yielded more fruit than the Low Irrigation and No Irrigation treatments. The dry periods in both years coincided with the watermelon fruit setting stages that may have contributed to the lower fruit set in the Low Irrigation and No Irrigation treatments. Fertigation showed a higher early yield than the other treatments in 2022. Analysis of soil and tissue nitrogen levels indicated that sole nitrogen application before planting could result in excessive soil nitrogen levels during vegetative growth. This excess nitrogen might delay flowering and harvest. This project offers insights into enhancing irrigation and fertilization practices for watermelon production in southern Indiana.</p>
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EstratÃgia de monitoramento e automaÃÃo em sistemas de irrigaÃÃo utilizando dispositivos de comunicaÃÃo em redes de sensores sem fio / Strategy of monitoring and automation in irrigation systems using communication devices in wireless sensor networkTadeu Macryne Lima Cruz 30 October 2009 (has links)
Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento CientÃfico e TecnolÃgico / O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver estratÃgias de monitoramento e automaÃÃo em sistemas de irrigaÃÃo utilizando sensores capacitivos FDR para coletar dados do conteÃdo de Ãgua no solo atravÃs de uma Rede de Sensores Sem Fio (RSSF). Os sensores capacitivos FDR foram desenvolvidos no Departamento de Engenharia AgrÃcola (DENA) da UFC. Foram utilizados neste trabalho 14 sensores capacitivos FDR e um deles passou por um processo de calibraÃÃo em laboratÃrio, onde foi sobreposta uma lÃmpada de 100 watts na amostra de solo indeformada para acelerar o secamento do solo. Esta calibraÃÃo derivou uma equaÃÃo do tipo potencial. A RSSF utilizada à formada por mÃdulos sensores capazes de comunicar-se entre si por rÃdio frequÃncia, possuindo um ponto de comunicaÃÃo final (estaÃÃo base). O sistema de RSSF foi constituÃdo de 7 mÃdulos sensores, 2 mÃdulos multihops e um mÃdulo mestre conectado ao computador. Cada mÃdulo sensor à constituÃdo pelos seguintes elementos: transceptor TRF 2.4 GHz da Laipac (alcance mÃximo de 150 m), memÃria, processador, bateria de 12 volts e dois sensores capacitivos FDR. A RSSF foi instalada em um campo cultivado por milho em estÃdio avanÃado de produÃÃo (30 DAS). Os sensores capacitivos FDR foram instalados em duas profundidades: 10 cm e 25 cm. Os dados dos mÃdulos sensores eram transmitidos ao mÃdulo mestre atravÃs dos 2 mÃdulos multihops. As respostas dos sensores capacitivos FDR foram coletadas pelos mÃdulos sensores todos os dias, pelo perÃodo da manhà e da tarde, e o tempo de irrigaÃÃo foi determinado com base na equaÃÃo de calibraÃÃo. As leituras foram coletadas antes e depois das irrigaÃÃes e o experimento durou aproximadamente 15 dias. Foi realizada uma validaÃÃo da calibraÃÃo em campo relacionando as respostas dos sensores capacitivos FDR em tempo real com a umidade volumÃtrica pelo mÃtodo padrÃo de estufa. A RSSF possibilitou que os sensores capacitivos FDR registrassem a variaÃÃo do teor de Ãgua durante os eventos de chuva e irrigaÃÃes. As comunicaÃÃes dos mÃdulos sensores foram bem sucedidas, apesar da altura das plantas e as ocorrÃncias das chuvas terem impedido em alguns momentos as transmissÃes. A equaÃÃo obtida em laboratÃrio subestimou os valores de umidade volumÃtrica real, obtida pelo mÃtodo direto, devido à temperatura que a lÃmpada incidiu na amostra de solo durante o processo de calibraÃÃo. A bateria dos mÃdulos sensores foi o fator mais limitante e requer ajuste no protocolo de comunicaÃÃo da RSSF par otimizar o consumo. A RSSF mostrou-se um sistema dinÃmico e preciso e pode, em conjunto com os sensores capacitivos FDR, auxiliar pesquisadores e produtores na tomada de decisÃo de irrigaÃÃo. / The goal of this study was to develop strategies for monitoring and automated irrigation systems using FDR capacitance sensors to collect data of water content in the soil through Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). The FDR capacitance sensors were developed in the Department of Agricultural Engineering (DENA) pertain UFC. Were used 14 FDR capacitance sensors and one of them went through a calibration process in the laboratory, witch was superimposed a 100-watt bulb in the soil sample undeformed to accelerate the drying soil. At the end of the calibration we obtained an equation potential model. The WSN is formed sensors nodes can communicate with each other by radio frequency having a communication end point (base station). The WSN system consisted of 9 sensors modules and a master module connected to the PC. Each sensor module consists of the following elements: 2.4 GHz transceiver TRF of company Laipac (maximum range 150 m), memory, processor, 12-volt battery and two FDR capacitance sensors. The WSN was installed in a field of maize crop in an advanced stage of production (30 DAS). The FDR capacitance sensors were installed at two depths: 10 cm and 25 cm. The data from the sensor modules were transmitted to the master module through the 2 modules multihops. The responses of the FDR capacitance sensors were collected every day at the morning and afternoon, and the time of irrigation was determined based on the calibration equation. The responses of the FDR capacitance sensors obtained by WSN were collected before and after irrigation and the experiment lasted 15 days. We performed a validation of the field calibration relating the responses of the FDR capacitance sensors in real time with the water content by gravimetric method. The WSN enabled FDR capacitance sensors recorded the variation of water content during the events of rainfall and irrigation. The communications of sensors modules have been successful, despite the height of plants and occurrences of rainfall have impeded some transmissions. The equation obtained in laboratory underestimated the true values water content obtained by the direct method, due to the temperature that the light bulb emitted on the soil sample during the calibration process. The battery of the sensor modules was the most limiting factor and requires adjustment in the communication protocol of WSN to optimize consumption. The WSN was dynamic and accurate and may, in partnership with FDR capacitance sensors, help researchers and producers in decision-making irrigation.
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The Irrigator : Autonomous watering robot for homes / BevattnarenLind, Henrik, Janssen, Jacob January 2019 (has links)
Inspired by the trend of automated homes, this thesis examines the possibility of designing a cheap and autonomous robot that will water plants effectively at home. Many existing solutions are cumbersome and not sufficiently effective, often due to flexibility and risk of over watering. Therefore this thesis examines a wheel based approach. In order to achieve the best possible results, the soil water content was measured, as opposed to a time-based approach where the user sets a timer to decide how often the plants are watered. This thesis also examines the advantages, and disadvantages of a capacitive moisture sensor versus a resistive moisture sensor, as well as effects of depth of penetration for the sensors. Controlled using an Arduino Uno, the robot was programmed to follow a line with IR-sensors, drive using differential steering, and had the ability to drive in reverse. It was able to identify a pot, read the moisture level of the soil, water it, and continue the loop. However, it was not completely autonomous as it is incapable of refilling the water tank – or recharging the batteries. It was stated that the resistive sensor was most suited to be used in the robot due to the relatively reliable results at increased depth. The results at deeper penetration were expected, as the moisture increased with depth when not recently irrigated. The capacitive sensor showed somewhat ambiguous results. The results showed higher water content deeper into the soil, compared to recently irrigated soils. / Inspirerade av trenden om automatiserade hem grundar sig detta arbete i möjligheten att skapa en billig och självgående robot som effektivt vattnar plantor i hemmet. Då många nuvarande lösningar är besvärliga och inte tillräckligt effektiva har detta kandidatarbete undersökt ett tillvägagångssätt som innefattar en robot byggd på en plattform med hjul. För att uppnå en effektiv bevattning grundar sig processen i fuktighetsnivån hos jorden plantorna sitter i, istället för en annars vanlig tidsbaserad bevattningsprocess. Därmed undersöker arbetet även fördelar och nackdelar med resistiva och kapacitiva jordfuktighetssensorer. Rapporten undersöker och redogör hur påverkan av djupet sensorn penetrerar jorden påverkar datan om jordens fuktighet. Kontrollerad av en Arduino Uno följde roboten en utsatt linje med hjälp av IR-sensorer och en motordrivare som implementerade både differentialstyrning och möjligheten att köra motorer i motsatt riktning. Den slutgiltiga roboten kunde med hjälp av ultraljudssensorer upptäcka en kruka, läsa av fuktighetsnivån i jorden, vattna och sedan fortsätta slingan. Däremot var den inte helt självkörande då den saknade förmågan att fylla på vattentanken och ladda sina batterier själv. Det konstaterades att den resistiva sensorn var bäst lämpad, tack vare dess tillförlitliga mätningar vid varierande djup. Den resistiva sensorns utslag vid djupare mätningar var förväntade, då den torra jorden ökade i fuktighet och den nyligen bevattnade jorden visade fortsatt fuktigt. Däremot visade den kapacitiva sensorn något tvetydiga resultat vid djupa mätningar, då de torra krukorna framstod som fuktigare än de nyligen bevattnade.
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