Sustainable Solutions
The Environmental Sensing strategic research programme focuses on the development of ICT solutions for sustainable agriculture, food and environmental applications (SAFE). Environmental Sensing is a multi-disciplinary, inter-institutional research programme that aims to develop digital technologies required to provide real-time data, thereby allowing users to make informed decisions regarding animal and plant health, and soil, water and air quality.
At a global level, there is a real drive to increase food production to meet the needs of a growing population. Unlike historical improvements in agricultural production, there is an understanding that current production can only be increased sustainably within the context of environmental challenges, such as climate change, land competition, and the quality and health of plant, soil and water resources. Enshrined in the UN sustainable development goals and the European Green Deal, targeting regulatory reduction into environmental losses such as a reduction in greenhouse emissions by 55% by 2030, provide clear technological challenges that need urgent digital solutions.
Our mission is to provide real-time data for real-time decision making to stakeholders.
To enable higher levels of sustainable production, researchers within Tyndall’s SAFE research programme are developing digitalised solutions to real-world problems by providing all stakeholders with the data they require to make informed, evidence-based decisions. Through collaborations with leading academic and industry experts in their field, real pain points and technological gaps are identified. Utilising cutting-edge facilities, technologies and know-how, SAFE researchers then develop ICT solutions for those specific real-world challenges.
Over the past several years, SAFE researchers have developed a wide range of fit-for-purpose sensors and systems that, for the first time ever, allow for real-time monitoring of contaminants of emerging concern. Currently, the programme team has multiple patents, patents pending and submitted several new Invention Disclosure Forms. The programme team are collaborating with leading academic researchers along with several SMEs and multi-national companies globally.
Environmental Sensing for Sustainable Agriculture
Examples of our research include developing sensors for nutrient measurement in the soil. Our researchers at Tyndall are utilising precision electrochemical nanosensors to provide farmers with timely actionable data that monitor the nutrients of their fields on a day to day basis. Watch now and discover how these soil nutrient sensors are enhancing sustainable agriculture practices, reducing biodiversity loss and protecting our environment.
Recent Publications
Mazzara, B. Patella, G. Aiello and 4 more (…), “Electrochemical detection of uric acid and ascorbic acid using r-GO/NPs based sensors”, Electrochimica Acta, 388, (2021).
Gupta, S. Augustine, T. Narayan and 5 more (…), “Point-of-care PCR assays for COVID-19 detection”, Biosensors, 11(5), (2021).
A. Wasiewska, I. Seymour, B. Patella, and 4 more (…), “Reagent free electrochemical-based detection of silver ions at interdigitated microelectrodes using in-situ pH control”, Sensors and Actuators, B: Chemical, 333, (2021).
Recent Projects
Sarmenti
Funded through the EU Horizon 2020 programme, the Sarmenti project is an exemplar of SAFE research: collaboration between a diverse group of academics, guided and validated by industry partners, resulting in novel, useful technologies that provide real-time information for sustainable development and production.
