WO2022144714A1

WO2022144714A1 - Electrochemical based nutrient analysis

Info

Publication number: WO2022144714A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/062232
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aseem Johri; Ankit Shivdasani
Original assignee: Inventohack Innovations Private Limited
Priority date: 2020-12-30
Filing date: 2021-12-23
Publication date: 2022-07-07

Abstract

The present invention discloses an electrochemical based nutrient analysis system and method of its operation thereof. The disclosed system includes plurality of electrochemical sensing based electrodes and sensors (A) which senses nutrient parameters such as Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphate, Chloride, Bromide, Manganese, Fluoride, Zinc, Sulphur, Iron, Cobalt, Carbon, Silicon, Calcium and many more. Additionally, the sensors (A) in the electrochemical sensing-based electrodes may measure various other parameters such as soil deficiencies, pH value, fertility rate etc. The nutrient parameters are processed and analysed by various modules thereafter provides machine learning and AI based suggestions with predictions and recommendations via detailed test report (50) to the farmers (60). The disclosed nutrient analysis system and method, sense and analyse the nutrients present in soil/land, fruits, vegetables, meat and other edibles.

Description

ELECTROCHEMICAL BASED NUTRIENT ANALYSIS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention generally relates to sensing and analysis of nutrients in soil/land, fruits, vegetables and other edibles. More particularly, the invention relates to electrochemical based nutrients analysis/sensing alongwith suggestions, predictions and crop recommendation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Nutritional analysis is the process of determining the nutritional content of any product. Reliable data on the nutrient composition of foods and soil/land is crucial and can only be obtained by a careful performance of appropriate, accurate and precise analytical methods. In today’s health oriented world, the food nutrient testing plays a major role to analyze and manage the nutritional need of any person. Further, the soil testing is an emerging technology that plays a significant role in precision agriculture. The basic soil monitoring instrument is responsible for collecting and analysing soil samples whether they are suitable for agricultural, developmental and natural uses.

[003] Traditional nutrient testing methods are mostly laboratory operation method that uses a process of taking the sample into the labs for testing with the help of chemicals and solutions. Such a method is very time consuming and also has an effect of environmental change on soil parameters while moving soil samples from field to lab. Further, it is incapable of providing real time suggestions or predictions regarding the soil and profit calculation beforehand to the farmers. Thus it requires a lot of manual effort.

[004] CN203216891 discloses soil nutrient sensors for detecting various nutrients in the soil sample, however, it is incapable of providing real time suggestions or predictions regarding the soil to the farmer and also inefficient for sensing large area at once. [005] CN 102393414 discloses a microelectrode for measuring soil nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and ammonium. However, it doesn’t cover all the essential soil nutrients and other environmental factor parameters, thus result in low detection efficiency. And also inefficient for sensing a large area at once.

[006] WO2009157755 discloses a soil sensor for detecting and analysing soil nutrients using ion selective electrode and able to transmit data. However, it is incapable of providing real time suggestions or predictions regarding soil to the farmers and thus does not cover a large area at once.

[007] Thus, the existing prior arts mentioned having soil measuring apparatus that can detect and analyse the macronutrients but fails to cover entire the whole farm instantly, have low accuracy or involve too much human intervention in the testing process which makes it slow. Also mentioned prior arts do not successfully provide the suggestions and thus do not have a calculative prediction. This lack of data makes it difficult for farmers to do precision farming and bound to use chemical fertilizers to increase production.

[008] Therefore, keeping in view of the problems associated with the state of the art and to further improvise the efficiency of the prior existed soil testing systems, there is a requirement of highly efficient nutrient testing and analysing systems capable of not only covering the large field area at once but also testing the nutrient parameters in food products like fruits, vegetables, meat etc. Further, there is a need of soil testing and analyzing system which also provide suggestion and recommendation to the farmer for efficient farming.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[009] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a system to sense majority of nutrient parameters from soil/land, fruits, vegetables, meat and other edibles. [0010] Another objective of the present invention is to provide a soil testing and analysing system capable of covering large field area.

[0011] Another objective of the present invention is to provide soil and crop related suggestions and recommendations to the farmers.

[0012] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide before-hand predictions and investment details before sowing the seed.

[0013] Yet another objective of the present invention is to monitor the overall lifecycle of crop.

[0014] Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a nutrient analysis system which uses green energy as power source.

[0015] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, the aspects of the present invention are disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention discloses an electrochemical based nutrients analysis system and its method of operation. The disclosed system includes plurality of electrochemical sensing based electrodes which senses nutrient parameters. The nutrient parameters are processed and analysed by various modules thereafter provides machine learning and Al based suggestions with predictions and recommendations via detailed test report to the farmers/users. The report also includes cost of investment and return of investment to help farmers and to provide a beforehand calculation before sowing the seed. Further, there is an Al voice assistant module to interact with the farmer/user to assist them in using the disclosed system. The Al voice assistant module can be operable in different dialects and also provides response by answering back in the form of working, printed material and signals. Also the system can record and monitor the overall lifecycle of crop i.e. from farms to their journey in supply chain by using Snap Tag or NFC which monitors data like soil nutrients reports, certifications and organic rank of authenticity etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when taken in conjunction with the detailed description thereof and in which:

[0018] Figure 1 shows steps involved in nutrient analysis;

[0019] Figure 2 depicts the flowchart for soil nutrient analysis;

[0020] Figure 3 shows screenshots of details obtained in detailed soil report; and

[0021] Figure 4 shows the schematic diagram of the electronic circuit of the soil nutrient analysis system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] The following description describes various features and functions of the disclosed system and method with reference to the accompanying figure. In the figure, similar symbols identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative aspects described herein are not meant to be limiting. It may be readily understood that certain aspects of the disclosed system and method can be arranged and combined in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

[0023] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness [0024] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

[0025] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention.

[0026] It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise

[0027] It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. The equations used in the specification are only for computation purpose.

[0028] The present invention relates to an electrochemical based nutrients analysis. The main embodiment of the present invention is the electrochemical probe which senses all the major as well as minor nutrients and convert it into a signal. The probe is directly placed or inserted inside the ground or any edibles to sense its nutrient parameters.

[0029] The electrochemical probe (10) includes a plurality of electrochemical sensing-based electrodes with integrated sensors. Each sensor may measure one or more specific parameters. The sensor present in the electrochemical sensing-based electrodes determine concentration of different nutrients such as but not limited to Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphate, Chloride, Bromide, Manganese, Fluoride, Zinc, Sulphur, Iron, Cobalt, Carbon, Silicon, and Calcium and many more. Additionally, when placed in soil/land, the sensors in the electrochemical sensing-based electrodes may measure various other parameters such as but not limited to soil deficiencies, pH value, fertility rate etc.

[0030] The probe works on the principle of ion selective electrode. An Ion selective electrode are made up of various types of the membranes which work as a shield and Integrated with a reference electrode. The electrodes present in the probe reacts with the familiar ions in the soil or edibles to generate a potential difference in the form of signals. That is, the ions present in the soil will react with similar electrode ions to sense any particular nutrient. In an exemplary embodiment, the Ion selective electrode for some major and essential nutrients such as Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphate, Chloride, Bromide, Manganese, Fluoride, Zinc, Sulphur, Iron, Cobalt, Carbon, Silicon, and Calcium are considered:

• Nitrogen: To calculate the Nitrogen, the Ion selective electrode will be made with the Poly Vinyl Chloride membranes prepared with quaternary ammonium compound which is Tridodecylamine and Nitro phenyl octyl ether.

• Potassium: The Ion selective electrode will be made with the poly vinyl chloride membranes prepared with Valinomycin and bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate.

• Phosphate: The electrode for phosphate sensing in soil is made by 6mm cobalt rod coated with silicone and a plastic body

• Chloride: The electrode for chloride is made with poly vinyl chloride membranes prepared with Nitro phenyl octyl ether and silicon polishing.

• Bromide: The electrode for same is prepared with 99% pure cobalt rod and silicon shielded with Poly vinyl chloride membrane.

• Manganese: The manganese electrode is made with the poly vinyl chloride membranes prepared with Valinomycin and bis(2-ethylhexyl) adipate.

• Fluoride: The electrode for fluoride is made with the pure cobalt rod polished by silicon element.

• Zinc: The electrode for calculating zinc is made with poly vinyl chloride membrane prepared with 2,6 - diacetylpyridinebis (benzene sulphonyl hydrazide) • Sulphur: The electrode for sulphur is made with triallydecylammonium nitrate, Krynac, nitro phenyl octyl ether and Dicumyl peroxide.

• Iron, Cobalt, Carbon, Silicon, and Calcium: To calculate the density of these nutrients a Cobalt rod which is lightly coated with Silicon like polish will combined with the mixture of Valinomycin and Diethylenetriamine penta acetic acid.

[0031] Figure 1 shows steps involved in nutrient analysis. The plurality of electrochemical sensing based electrodes inserted in soil/land, fruits, vegetables, meat and other edibles to sense nutrient parameters and the potential difference generated in each electrode is converted into a signal for the ratio of nutrients present. This signal is then transferred to the microcontroller (A) present in the upper portion of the probe (10). The signal obtained from the electrodes are weak analog signals with very low voltage. To improvise the accuracy in calculating nutrition levels, these low voltage signals are amplified by means of an external analog reference with three 5k ohm resistors which are connected in series with each other. Then the amplified analog voltage signals are converted into a 10 bit digital signal by Analog to digital convertor. The digital signals are then transferred to the cloud (C) wirelessly with the help of networking technology or transmitters (B) which is present inside the probe (10). The microcontroller (A) maintains the frequency of transmitting this data signal to a dedicated data cloud (C). Further, the system also have ability to save this data from different sensors in SD card or a pendrive to transport the data manually if required.

[0032] Further, Figure la of the present invention discloses the use of a device i.e. a probe (10) having multiple electrochemical sensors which works on the principle of ion selective electrode. The said probe determines the nutrients of the soil by plugging it directly into the soil and provides nutrient value in the form of data which is transferred with the help of wireless network inbuilt inside the probe. A network bridge between Probe (10) and Server (30) is used to transfer the data values received from the probe (10) to the server (30). The Server receives, collects and sorts all the data in an order, such that the stored data can be made easily accessible for the software (40). [0033] A Cloud based Software (40) is integrated with the algorithm where all the calculations and operations are applied on the data. This data will be analysed on the basis of pre-defined instructions and with the help of this data a detailed soil report (50) will be formed. The detailed soil report (50) contains all the nutrient values of the soil and provides suitable suggestions and recommendations regarding the soil related treatment. The detailed soil report (50) will be provided to the farmers/ users (60) and thus help farmer/ user to know about the soil better and take action accordingly.

[0034] Another main embodiment of the present invention is to provide machine learning and Al based suggestions with predictions and recommendations via detailed nutrients test report (50) to the user/farmers (60). Figure lb discloses a microcontroller (A) which is a collection of all the electrochemical based sensors used to detect the nutrients from the soil, a transmitter (B) to transmit the data from the controller (A) to the Server (C). The server (C) analyses data received from the transmitter (B) and transfers it to the display devices (E) and ensures the fast and secure passage of the Data. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in figure 2, the nutrients of soil is tested wherein the signals/data corresponding to the soil nutrient parameters are processed by the machine leaning and artificial intelligence modules to generate a detailed soil test report (50) of every soil nutrient data which includes deficiency of nutrients in soil, it's treatment, crop recommendation according to the particular soil nutrients, and prediction about the crop production. Figure 3 shows screenshots of details obtained in detailed soil report (50). In accordance with this embodiment, the system also provides a real time data about the soil nutrients at any point of the time during the farming cycle to take better decision about stimulants, water, fertilizers, bio and organic inputs etc. The processing mechanism of the sensors, processing unit and the cloud based software (40) can test soil of upto 1 acre of land in less than 15 mins. The report (50) also includes cost of investment and return of investment to help farmers and to have a before-hand calculation before sowing the seed. The calculation of the future price of the crop is calculated by using the concept of probabilistic reasoning. [0035] Another embodiment of the present invention is the advance Al voice assistant module in different dialects to interact with the user/farmer (60) to assist in using the disclosed system. The voice command module operates by some predefined words which makes the electrochemical probe (10) work on voice commands instructed by the user or farmer (60). The Al voice command module understands any commands for example commands related to hardware operations or nutrient data or any information regarding it's working which is provided by the farmer or the system user (60). The voice command module also provides response by answering back in the form of working, printed material and signals.

[0036] Another embodiment of the present invention is to record and monitor the overall lifecycle of crops, fruits or vegetables etc i.e. from farms to their journey in supply chain. This is done by creating a Snap Tag or NFC based on secure technologies like blockchain and encryption which monitor data like soil nutrients reports (50), certifications and organic rank of authenticity etc. This provides transparent and secure way of monitoring food from farm to the consumer which results in increasing trust value for organic product/farmers/ brands in the market. The Snap Tag or NFC herein is in the form of QR code with options like data updating having increased security with block chain technology. This will deduce the hard work of generating new QR code for crops by farmers (60). Hence, same tag can be used numerous times.

[0037] In accordance with the above embodiments, the present invention also checks the nutritional parameters of fruits, vegetables and other edibles to give a detailed report (50) covering minerals, vitamins, protein, carbs, fat and total calories. Further provides details about the chemical and toxicants present in the food and also provide details to the user (60) about the organic contents. It verifies the product if it is organic or not and gives a rank-based grading to the product based on the analysis done.

[0038] The electrochemical probe (10) is equipped with solar panels to provide power to the system while testing. Hence the electrochemical probe (10) becomes portable and ready to use at any corner of farm. Further, there is an extra port present in the electrochemical probe (10) to charge it though any electric adapter in case of emergency or lack of sunlight. The schematic diagram of the electronic circuit of the system is shown in figure 4 wherein figure 4a depicts the power section, figure 4b depicts the wifi section, and figure 4c depicts the processing unit section of the system.

[0039] The standard operating procedure of the electrochemical based nutrient analysis system is as follows:

1. Push the button to power on the system.

2. Wait till it gets initialized, once it gets initialized it will show “initialization complete” on the screen.

3. Switch on the user’s Wi-Fi hotspot/Wi-Fi connection.

4. Wait till the device (10) gets connected to the network.

5. After getting connected to network, status led gets ON for few seconds which indicates that the device (10) is connected.

6. Also it will display the Wi-Fi name on screen to which it is connected.

7. Submerge the device (10) in soil, fruits, vegetables and other edibles to few inches and wait for few minutes.

8. Now the devices (10) collects all the readings and data then transfer it to the cloud server (30).

9. All the readings and data which is being transferred to the cloud server (30), will also be displayed over the screen.

10. After successfully sending the data to server (30), status led will start blinking for few seconds.

11. Now the data packet is stored in the micro SD card (built-in) for backup or for future analysis purpose.

12. After saving data in micro SD card the status led will continuously glow which means all the processes have been completed.

13. Power OFF the device (10).

14. Clean the electrode section properly and gently.

15. Put the device (10) on charging if required. [0040] The soil testing process to achieve accurate results by sensing all the essential soil parameters is done in following steps:

• Step 1 - Dividing the farm into plurality of parts with the help of area mapping technique. For example, if the area of the farm where the testing has to be conducted is of square shape then it is divided into 4 equal parts, and if the farm of hexagonal shape then it is divided into 6 equal.

• Step 2 - Calibrating the ion selective electrode by means of a neutral base solution of pH value 7 which is present in the device casing. This is done to restart device (10) from the ideal condition.

• Step 3- Inserting the electrochemical probe (10) into that land of soil where the base solution were mixed. Switching on the button available at the top of the probe and then left the probe (10) in the soil for some time period, approximately for 3-5 minutes to sense and capture the soil nutrients data.

• Step 4- Repeating step 2 and step 3 for all probes (10) inserted in different parts of the land which was pre-defined by the area mapping technique in that particular farm.

The final result for the nutrients in soil is calculated by taking the average of all the nutrients data collected from different parts of the farm. Based on this final result, a report (50) is generated which consist of resulted nutrients in soil and suggestions of the beneficiary crop with respect to the resulted soil nutrients. Further, a real time suggestion is also send to the users (60) regarding the steps should be taken on daily basis to increase the health and productivity of the soil.

[0041] While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred aspects, which aspects have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, such aspects are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. The scope of the invention, therefore, shall be defined solely by the following claims. Further, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the scope and the principles of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A nutrient analysis system, comprising:

• an electrochemical probe (10) having :

- a plurality of electrochemical sensing based electrodes for sensing nutrient parameters in the soil/edibles;

- a microcontroller connected to the electrochemical probe (10) and configured to send the information obtained in step (1) to a cloud based server (40);

- a display screen for displaying data;

- a power switch to turn the system on/off;

- a solar panel/electric adapter to power the system; and

- a transmitter module (B) configured to send and receive encoded data/signal wirelessly to a server (40);

• a cloud based software module for processing the nutrient parameters;

• a machine learning and Al based module for generating a detailed report (50) on crop prediction/recommendations based on the nutrient parameters;

• a dialect-based voice assistant module for interacting with the user (60); and

• a block chain based snap tag configured to verify authenticity of system, wherein the electrochemical based electrodes works on the ion calculation method of ion selective electrodes; the electrochemical probe (10) is directly placed or inserted inside the ground or any edibles to sense its nutrient parameters; the machine learning and Al based module generates a detailed test report (50) and provides recommendations to a farmer/user (60).

2. The nutrient analysis system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the system analyzes nutrients in soil/land, fruits, vegetables, meat and other edibles.

3. The nutrient analysis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrochemical sensing - based electrodes senses the nutrient parameters such as concentration of Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphate, Chloride, Bromide, Manganese, Fluoride, Zinc, Sulphur, Iron, Cobalt, Carbon, Silicon, Calcium, etc.

4. The nutrient analysis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electrochemical sensingbased electrodes measure various other parameters such as soil deficiencies, pH value, fertility rate, etc.

5. The nutrient analysis system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dialect-based voice assistant module provides an interactive platform for working of the system.

6. The nutrient analysis system as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the cloud based software module (40) provides real time suggestions, predictions and profit calculation beforehand.

7. A method to analyse nutrient, comprising the steps of: i. inserting the electrochemical probes in the soil/edibles; ii. switching on the button available at the top of the probe (10); iii. waiting for probe (10) to initialize and to get connected to the network; iv. allowing the probe (10) to collect all the readings and data and to transfer it to the cloud server (40) and display on the screen (E); v. confirming transfer of complete data to cloud by means of indications lights such as LED; and vi. generating analysis report (50) using the machine learning and Al based module; wherein, final result for the nutrients is calculated by taking the average of all the nutrient data collected from different parts of farm or different edibles.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the electrochemical sensing-based electrodes works on the ion calculation method of ion selective electrode.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the potential difference generated in each electrode is converted into a signal for the ratio of nutrients.