The Need

In agriculture, the accurate measurement of gasses such as nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) is crucial for optimizing fertilizer use, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing air pollution. Current monitoring technologies are often expensive, complex, and not suitable for widespread deployment in the field. There is a significant demand for cost-effective, reliable, and easy-to-deploy sensors that can provide real-time data to help farmers manage their environmental impact and improve sustainability.

The Technology

Researchers at OSU have created a device that when integrated with sensors informs about soil health by measuring soil subsurface gases, the device is abbreviated as DCSSG. It involves innovative additive manufacturing designs and includes a soil subsurface gas collection chamber and a housing compartment for locating sensors and electronics. Currently, the DCSSG device is being used to measure subsurface nitrogen oxide concentrations emanating below the soil surface. Nitrogen oxides in this context include nitrous oxide (N₂O) and nitric oxide and nitrogen dioxide (NO+NO₂). The DCSSG device can also accommodate other greenhouse gas sensors including methane (CH₄) and CO₂.

Commercial Applications

• Precision agriculture for optimized fertilizer use
• Environmental monitoring and compliance with regulations
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission tracking
• Air quality monitoring in industrial and urban areas
• Research applications in agronomy and environmental science

Benefits/Advantages

• Cost-Effective: Affordable sensors enable widespread adoption and real-time monitoring.
• Versatile Deployment: Suitable for both subsurface soil and ambient air measurements.
• Enhanced Data Accessibility: Wireless data transfer and field connectivity for seamless integration.
• Environmental Impact: Supports sustainable farming practices and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions.