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Spinoff story
Sensors Enable Plants to Text Message Farmers
A real-world story of NASA technology finding a life beyond the mission.
About this technology
Overview
BioServe Space Technologies-a nonprofit, NASA-sponsored research partnership center-developed a leaf sensor that can monitor plants using electrical pulses, allowing anyone from astronauts to farmers to measure plant water levels directly. Berthoud, Colorado-based AgriHouse Brands Ltd. has commercialized the technology, which allows "thirsty" plants to send text messages to farmers asking for more water.