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Dr. Jun Kameoka
Dr. Jun Kameoka | Image: Texas A&M Engineering

Dr. Jun Kameoka, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Texas A&M University, received a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for his work centered on the growing field of paper electronics and its application in the agriculture industry.

In order to better assess the conditions of the soil of surrounding areas of land, Kameoka and his collaborators have designed a paper-based sensor that will monitor physical, biological and chemical soil conditions that are altered by plant diseases. Because the full crop yield is so valuable, it is important to assess the conditions in various parts of the land to guarantee that each piece is thriving. Where one piece of land may be getting adequate moisture and is free of pests, another may be suffering.

The paper sensor is buried in the soil with an antenna. The unique paper is coated with silicon and is resistant to weather conditions due to its hydrophobic nature. Using conductive ink, the paper can receive and transmit radio frequency signals to a quadcopter aircraft up above as it surveys the land. Currently, the team’s focus is to explore the applications within the agriculture industry and develop a low-cost crop surveillance system that can detect moisture, heat and other weather variables that can complicate crop season.

This would allow the agriculture industry a way to significantly reduce the usage of water and more precisely manage the agriculture.

Dr. Jun Kameoka
According to Kameoka, the project is in its very beginning stages but has vast potential. Ultimately, Kameoka can see paper electronics used in other applications such as the “internet of things”, which is the network of physical devices, vehicles, home appliances and other items embedded with sensors to connect, collect and exchange data.

Kameoka is working alongside fellow electrical and computer engineering professor Dr. Kamran Entesari; Dr. Binayak Mohanty, Regents Professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering; and Dr. Won-Bo Shim, professor and associate department head for academics in the Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology.

This grant is provided by the Gates Foundation program called Grand Challenges Explorations. Grand Challenges is a family of initiatives fostering innovation to solve key global health and development problems. In 2007, the Gates Foundation launched Grand Challenges Explorations to engage more of the world’s innovators more quickly. Twice each year, Grand Challenges Explorations invites high-risk, high-reward proposals on a range of challenges.