Honors Gallery

Waveguide-on-Access-Tube (WOAT) Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) System

Award: Excellence in Technology Transfer

Year: 2015

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The waveguide-on-access-tube time domain reflectometry (TDR) system profiles soil water content, bulk electrical conductivity, permittivity, and temperature.

The technology was patented and transferred in two forms, one a down-hole probe that provides data continuously and the second, an insertable probe that can be used for local measurements at any depth.

Both probes utilize a miniaturized TDR circuit with an extended battery life and solar backup. The system is approximately five times more accurate than that of competing methods. The TDR method is important for environmental studies, remediation efforts and water management in saline agricultural soils.