Microtensiometer sensor, probe and method of use
US8695407B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 2010 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/189
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A microtensiometer sensor includes a substrate layer fluidly coupled to an enclosed reservoir. A porous membrane is disposed on a surface of the substrate layer. The membrane defines a liquid side fluidly coupled to the reservoir and a vapor side fluidly coupled to a vapor interface. The porous membrane includes a plurality of through holes fluidly coupling the liquid reservoir to the vapor interface, and a nanoporous filler material disposed within the plurality of through holes. The filler material includes a plurality of open pores having a maximum diameter in the range of 0.2 to 200 nanometers. In one embodiment, the microtensiometer sensor includes a molecular membrane disposed adjacent to the vapor side of the porous membrane. In one example, the molecular membrane is formed of a highly crystalline polytetrafluoroethylene polymer having a microstructure characterized by nodes interconnected by fibrils. In one application, the microtensiometer sensor may be used in a probe to measure the average water potential within a network of plant or tree xylem. In another application, the microtensiometer sensor may be useful in real-time determination of the water potential in soil.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.