Physical Silver: Four Cases Of Industrial Advances

Silver Ink Makes Low Cost Agricultural Sensor Possible

SenSprout, a leaf-shaped sensor that allows farmers to remotely measure rainfall and soil moisture levels, uses silver inks to produce printed circuit board sensors at low cost. Current water sensors cost over US$100 without monitors or data loggers, according to the company’s founder, Kazuhiro Nishioka.

The SenSprout sensor costs less than half, not only because of the inexpensive printed circuit board construction but also because it connects to an app on a smartphone. No additional equipment is necessary.

Due to the use of printing technology, SenSprout can be manufactured at low cost in mass production and in small lots, company officials say. The sensor is solar powered so there is no battery replacement and no danger of leakage into the soil.

The SenSprout sensor was recently shown at SXSW (South by Southwest Conferences & Festivals), where company officials said that they hope to produce a sensor that will not only check soil moisture but nutrients, too.

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