This section of the webinar is about the translation of the research of Professor Joseph Andrews into a commercially viable product.
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Purpose: The study introduces inkjet-printed potentiometric sensors for detecting nitrate directly in soil, which is crucial for managing nitrogen fertilizer input in agriculture.
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Innovation: The sensors use a hydrophilic Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) layer to ensure long-term functionality in wet soil by protecting from charged soil particles while allowing water flow.
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Performance: Tested in various soil types, the sensors showed typical sensitivities of 45–55 mV decade−1 and maintained functionality over multiple days and testing cycles.
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Applications: This technology enables real-time soil nitrate monitoring, which can improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce environmental impact from excessive fertilizer use.