Made from elastic polymers, these sensors can stretch up to four times their original size, remaining attached to the plant throughout the growth cycle. They eliminate the need for manual intervention by wirelessly transmitting important data such as growth rate to remote areas.
Professor Ying Diao, who led the NASA-funded research, highlights the potential of the sensor: “This research directly addresses the problem of growing fresh vegetables for astronauts during long-duration space missions.”
The development of these sensors did not proceed smoothly. Initial efforts resulted in rigid polymers, forcing the team to reformulate materials and printing methods to increase flexibility. The solution was found in the creation of an ultrathin film that limits the growth of crystals during the printing stage. The team also addressed issues related to high humidity and rapid plant growth.
The result of this three-year study was the Autonomous Remote Strain Sensor Based on Stretchable Polymers and Electronics (SPEARS2).
Source: Ferra
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