CAREER: Horticulture-on-a-chip: an innovative Bio-MEMS device to study interactions between roots and the root zone

芯片园艺：研究根与根区相互作用的创新生物mems设备本研究的目标是开发一种创新的植物根微系统，该系统具有监测植物根与直接根区环境之间相互作用的卓越能力。该方法基于新型三维微传感器阵列。利用新型干膜光刻胶层叠和电镀工艺，研制了电化学电极和光波导垂直微阵列。微传感器阵列与微型植物生长系统集成，以监测根区氧气分布。智力优势：植物根部和周围介质之间的相互作用是植物研究中最不为人所知和最具挑战性的方面。该微系统有望为根系代谢工程、植物胁迫生理学和植物病理学等方面的研究提供一个新的工具。新型微系统史无前例地应用于根区监测，将为未来根系研究工作提供重大技术突破，从而扩大微系统技术在植物和农业科学与工程中的应用领域。更广泛的影响：在农业技术没有改进的情况下扩大耕种面积，导致作物产量低和土地污染。这一挑战的解决方案只能来自对植物根系的更好理解，而这可以通过使用微系统技术来加速。该项目涉及与少数群体服务机构的协作活动，以发展根监测微系统，加快多样性的参与。这种以植物和农业应用为重点的微系统教育将培养新一代精通微系统和农业工程的劳动力。

Horticulture-on-a-chip: an Innovative Bio-MEMS Device to Study Interactions between Roots and the Root ZoneThe objective of this research is to develop an innovative plant root microsystem with a superior capability of monitoring interactions between the plant roots and the immediate root zone environment. The approach is based on novel three-dimensional microsensor arrays. Vertical microarrays of electrochemical electrodes and optical waveguides are developed by new dryfilm photoresist lamination and electroplating processes. The microsensor arrays are integrated with a miniature plant growth system to monitor root zone oxygen distribution.Intellecyual merit: The interactions between the plant roots and the surrounding media are the least understood and most challenging aspect of plant research. The new microsystem is expected to provide a novel tool for nearly all aspects of root research including metabolic engineering, plant stress physiology, and plant pathology. An unprecedented use of the new microsystem to root zone monitoring will provide a major technological breakthrough for future root research efforts, thus expanding the application area of the microsystem technology to plant and agricultural science and engineering. Broader Impact: Expanding farming area without improvements of agricultural technology results in low crop yields and land pollution. Solutions to this challenge can only come from a better understanding of the plant root system, which can be expedited through the use of microsystem technology. This project involves a collaboration activity with a minority serving institution to develop root monitoring microsystems to expedite the participation of diversity. This microsystem education effort with an emphasis on plant and agricultural applications will create a new generation of workforce, proficient both in microsystems and agricultural engineering.