Fields
Engineering
Ecology / Environment
Sectors
Chemicals, Materials & Plant-based Materials
Environment & Construction
Measurement & Instrumentation
Challenging increasingly severe environmental regulations in several markets (tourism, energy, farming, mining) at reasonable costs have led the research laboratory IMEP LAHT on radio-frequency to develop an intrusive sensor capable to profile the soil, snow or other into which it is introduced.
TECHNOLOGY
- Radio-Frequency (RF) Printed Circuit Board
- DDS generator (ultra high frequency resolution)
- Machine learning and database
- Wireless data transmission
ADVANTAGES
- Simultaneous measurements of moisture, salinity and temperature of multi-layered materials (solids or liquids) with better determination of the nature of each layer than TDR (combines advantages of TDR and FDR)
- Minimal thickness of a layer = 1 cm
- Measured profile length (longitudinal wave propagation in principal axis) : from centimeters to kilometers (depending on RF front power)
- Measurement radius from 1 cm to more than 10 cm
- Versatile (handheld device or can remain buried on the same site)
MATURITY
A first prototype of the sensor enabled proof of concept on a lab scale. It was tested positively in a liquid environment. Further developments are planned for 2018-19 as well as feasibility studies for different applications
APPLICATIONS
- Snow monitoring (liquid water content, depth, water equivalent, density)
- Moisture, salinity and temperature profiles in soils, buildings and structures
EXPLOITATION
A license for exploitation is available.
Download the offer