The NTU team developed their plant communication device by attaching an appropriate electrode (a piece of
Scientists have known for decades that plants emitelectrical signals to sense and respond to the environment. The NTU research team believes that developing the ability to measure electrical signals in plants will open the door to a variety of useful applications. For example, you can create robots based on plants - they will help you collect fragile items. Also, capturing and transmitting electrical signals from the plant and back will help improve food security by detecting diseases in early crops.
The problem is that electrical signalsplants are very weak and can only be detected when the electrode is in good contact with the plant surfaces. The rough, waxy and uneven surface of plants makes it difficult to install any thin film electronic device and ensure reliable signal transmission.
With the help of a thermogel, which graduallyConverts from liquid to stretchable gel at room temperature, the bond device is easy to attach to plants with different surface textures. In addition, such a gel provides high-quality signal detection, despite the fact that plants move and grow depending on the environment.
In addition, the NTU team used the principleelectrocardiography (ECG). This test method is used to detect heart abnormalities by measuring the electrical activity generated by the organ.
As a proof of concept, the scientists tooktheir plant communication device and attached it to the surface of the Venus flytrap - a predatory plant with hairy leaf petals, which, when triggered, close over insects.
The device has a diameter of 3 mm and is harmless toplants. This does not affect the plant's ability to photosynthesize when the electrical signals from the plant are successfully detected. By using a smartphone to send electrical impulses to the device at a specific frequency, the team forced the Venus flytrap to close its leaves on demand in 1.3 seconds.
The researchers also attached the plant to a robotic arm and, using a smartphone and a communication device, stimulated the leaf to close and pick up a piece of wire half a millimeter in diameter.
Scientists' work published in a scientific journalNature Electronicsin January, show prospects for the futuredesigning plant-based technological systems. Their approach could lead to more sensitive robotic grippers for grasping fragile objects that can be damaged by existing rigid systems.
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