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

芯片园艺：一种研究根系和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系微系统，具有良好的监测植物根和直接根区环境之间的相互作用的能力。该方法基于新型三维微传感器阵列。电化学电极和光波导的垂直微阵列是通过新的干膜光刻胶层压和电镀工艺开发出来的。微型传感器阵列与微型植物生长系统集成在一起，以监测根区的氧气分布。智能优点：植物根与周围介质之间的相互作用是植物研究中最不了解也最具挑战性的方面。新的微系统有望为包括代谢工程、植物逆境生理学和植物病理学在内的几乎所有方面的根研究提供一种新的工具。将新型微系统用于根区监测，将为今后的根系研究工作提供重大技术突破，从而将微系统技术的应用领域扩大到植物和农业科学与工程领域。更广泛的影响：在没有改进农业技术的情况下扩大耕种面积会导致作物产量低和土地污染。对这一挑战的解决方案只能来自对植物根系的更好了解，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合作活动，以开发根系监测微型系统，以加快多样性的参与。这种以植物和农业应用为重点的微系统教育努力将培养出精通微系统和农业工程的新一代劳动力。

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.