U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Application Technology Research: Wooster, OH
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                                    Software
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    Careers


        


                    Departments
                        Agricultural Engineering
                                    Entomology
                                    Horticulture
                                    Plant Pathology
                                    IR-4 programSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Midwest Area Wooster, Ohio Application Technology Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            GAO, GIANMIN - Jiangsu Universityitem
                                            Zhu, Heping
  Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
                                    Publication Type: Proceedings
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 8/22/2011
                                    Publication  Date: 8/24/2011
                                    Citation: Gao, G., Zhu, H. 2011. A miniature ultrasonic actuator-control system for plant stem diameter micro-variation measurements. ASABE Annual International Meeting. Paper No. 1110592. http://asae.frymulti.com/azdez.asp?search=1&JID=5&AID=39065&CID=loui2011&T=2.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Measurements of micro-variations in plant stem diameter are potentially useful to optimize irrigation decision support systems that are based on plant physiological responses. However, for this technology to be suitable for field applications, problems associated with stem softness and micro variations in the stem diameter due to water potential changes must be resolved. A real-time, non-destructive measuring system that uses a miniature ultrasonic linear actuator to precisely measure the deformation of stem surface was developed. The actuator employs a specially designed probe capable of a 0.8 μm travel per step and a 0.083 N maximum push force to avoid deforming the soft stem during the measurement. The travel motion of the probe is controlled with a custom-designed microcontroller. The plant stem was held in place by a fixture designed for the probe to precisely sense the contact of the stem surface. Tests with different plants under laboratory conditions verified the system accuracy and reliability, and provided prospects for the technology to be used for optimizing water utilization during plant growth.


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov