INTEGRATED PRINTED SENSOR PATCH FOR MICRO-CLIMATE MONITORING OF GREENHOUSE AND SOIL-RELATED VARIABLES
A printed sensor patch for micro-climate monitoring is provided. The printed sensor patch includes a substrate having a first portion and second portion, a data acquisition system, and a sensor array. The sensor array includes a moisture level sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a volatile organic compound sensor.
1 : A printed sensor patch for micro-climate monitoring, comprising:
a substrate having a first portion and a second portion;
a data acquisition system; and
a sensor array having a moisture level sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a volatile organic compound sensor.
2 : The printed sensor patch of claim 1 , wherein the moisture level sensor is disposed on the first portion of the substrate, and the first portion of the substrate is configured to be inserted into soil.
3 : The printed sensor patch of claim 2 , wherein the moisture level sensor is configured to monitor a soil water level when the first portion of the substrate is inserted into the soil.
4 : The printed sensor patch of claim 1 , wherein the humidity sensor is disposed on the second portion of the substrate, and the second portion of the substrate extends above a soil surface when the first portion of the substrate is inserted into soil.
5 : The printed sensor patch of claim 4 , wherein the humidity sensor is configured to monitor a humidity level.
6 : The printed sensor patch of claim 1 , wherein the temperature sensor is disposed on the second portion of the substrate, and the second portion of the substrate extends above a soil surface when the first portion of the substrate is inserted into soil.
7 : The printed sensor patch of claim 6 , wherein the temperature sensor is a resistive temperature detector configured to monitor a temperature.
8 : The printed sensor patch of claim 1 , wherein the volatile organic compound sensor is disposed on the second portion of the substrate, and the second portion of the substrate extends above a soil surface when the first portion of the substrate is inserted into soil.
9 : The printed sensor patch of claim 8 , wherein the volatile organic compound sensor is configured to identify a volatile organic compound.
10 : The printed sensor patch of claim 1 , wherein the sensor array further comprises a CO 2 sensor and an oxygen sensor.
11 : A method of manufacturing a sensor patch for micro-climate monitoring, comprising:
printing a sensor array on a polymeric substrate, wherein the sensor array includes a moisture level sensor, a humidity sensor, a temperature sensor, and a volatile organic compound sensor; and
connecting the sensor array to a data acquisition system.
12 : The method of manufacturing the sensor patch of claim 11 , wherein printing the temperature sensor on the polymeric substrate includes printing a plurality of nanomaterial-based metal interdigital electrodes.
13 : The method of manufacturing the sensor patch of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of nanomaterial-based metal interdigital electrodes are separated by an equal distance.
14 : The method of manufacturing the sensor patch of claim 11 , wherein a nanoparticle-based metallic ink is used to print the humidity sensor.
15 : The method of manufacturing the sensor patch of claim 14 , wherein the humidity sensor comprises a humidity sensing layer and a plurality of interdigital electrodes, wherein the humidity sensing layer is disposed above the plurality of interdigital electrodes.
16 : The method of manufacturing the sensor patch of claim 11 , wherein printing the volatile organic compound sensor includes printing a plurality of interdigital electrodes, wherein each one of the plurality of interdigital electrodes have a pitch size.
17 : The method of manufacturing the sensor patch of claim 16 , wherein the volatile organic compound sensor comprises a sensing layer, wherein the sensing layer is disposed above the plurality of interdigital electrodes.
18 : The method of manufacturing the sensor patch of claim 17 , further comprising testing the sensing layer with a volatile organic compound.
19 : The method of manufacturing the sensor patch of claim 11 , wherein the moisture level sensor comprises a parallel plate structure having at least two electrodes.
20 : The method of manufacturing the sensor patch of claim 19 , wherein the moisture level sensor further comprises a protective film.