Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

Self-powered and fully biodegradable electronic system for measuring local parameters and releasing agrochemicals in agricultural fields

Project description

Fully biodegradable electronic system to limit agrochemical use

Wireless electronic systems, otherwise known as nodes, can help produce better food despite shrinking agricultural zones. They can also help stem pollution by significantly reducing the amount of agrochemicals used. Bent on setting new node standards, the EU-funded GREAT-4PA project aims to redefine the core electronic components of game-changing nodes for precision agriculture. The proposal focusses on developing green autonomous nodes, allowing them to physically disappear after a period of stable operation so they can be left in the soil after use with zero environmental impact. The completion of the project is bound to lead to unique research avenues and collaborations.

Objective

Wireless electronic systems (nodes) used in precision agriculture (PA) can bring solutions to a grand challenge that Europe is facing: producing more/better food despite shrinking agricultural zones while also limiting pollution by reducing the amount of agrochemicals used. Nevertheless, severe constraints apply to conventional nodes that must be deployed in vast agricultural fields: i) they are powered by batteries that must be replaced or recharged; ii) they cannot be left in the soil because of the toxic metals/materials they intrinsically contain. With the aim to set new standards for nodes used in PA, the GREAT-4PA project proposes to redefine completely the core electronic components of game-changing nodes having unique and unprecedented attributes. Specifically, this proposal focuses on developing green autonomous nodes; namely self-powered biodegradable/compostable nodes having the ability to physically disappear after a period of stable operation so they could be left in the soil after use with zero environmental impact. Further, the GREAT-4PA project proposes to go beyond the usual sensing capabilities of nodes by adding actuation functionalities to create green smart transducers which could deliver agrochemicals locally (e.g. near the plant roots). The project involves two of the most prominent figures in the field of paper-based microfluidic fuel cells and biodegradable batteries (Dr. Neus Sabaté and Dr. Juan Pablo Esquivel, IMBCNM-CSIC, Spain). To maximise the outcomes and potential impact of the proposed research, two additional actions are planned: i) a partnership with the Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA); ii) a secondment within Fuelium, a Spanish company specialised in the development and commercialization of paper-based batteries. The completion of such a multidisciplinary project could open up research avenues. It will also lay the foundation for long-term collaborative efforts with partner organisations in academia and industry.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 160 932,48
Address
CALLE SERRANO 117
28006 MADRID
Spain

See on map

Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 160 932,48
My booklet 0 0