Development of a Feedback Syringe Pump Method for the Automated Determination of Unsaturated Hydraulic Conductivity Characteristics

该资助将支持开发一种反馈注射泵方法（FSPM）的成本，用于快速，精确和直接测定土壤样品中的不饱和水力电导率(K)和保水率。该系统将完全自动化，将需要最少的操作人员。分阶段的开发将包括：1)构建一个原型系统，以优化和测试各种系统组件和控制方法；2)开发一个常规测量系统，一次可容纳6到8个样品。这些活动将涉及加州大学河滨分校和乔治·e·布朗盐碱实验室（USDA-ARS）之间的合作。资金将用于购买开发FSPM所需的材料，并将支持PI和博士后的部分工资。不要求NSF资助合作者或GEBJ盐度实验室的活动。***

0236750SchaapThis grant will support the costs of developing a Feedback Syringe Pump Method (FSPM) for the rapid, precise, and direct determination of unsaturated hydraulic conductivity (K) and water retention in soil samples. The system will be fully automated and will require minimal operator attention. Phased developments will include: 1) construction of a prototype system to optimize and test various system components and control methods, and 2) development of a system for routine measurements that would accommodate six to eight samples at a time. These activities will involve collaboration between the University of California at Riverside and the George E. Brown Jr. Salinity Laboratory (USDA-ARS) in Riverside. Funds will purchase materials necessary for development of the FSPM and will support part of the salary for the PI and a postdoc. No NSF funding is requested for the activities of the collaborator or the GEBJ Salinity Laboratory.***