132001Fully Integrated Smart Sensor Solution for Improved Hydroponic GrowthClosedFeasibility StudiesInnovate UKThe global human population has grown from 1 billion in 1800 to 7 billion in 2012 and is expected to reach 8.4 billion by mid-2030. This rise will see demands on food and the resources needed to grow food increase dramatically. The use of hydroponic growth techniques (growing plants in artificial substrates that replace soil) dramatically improves the yields and efficiency of commercial horticulture and as such, hydroponics is seen as a key part of the solution to securing future worldwide food supplies. Experior Micro Technologies Ltd, together with the University of Derby and Biotecture Ltd, a UK supplier of advanced hydroponic growth systems will investigate a novel radio-frequency sensor that will closely monitor the water and fertiliser available to the roots of plants growing in hydroponic environments and enable the optimisation of growth conditions to improve plant yield while reducing the use of natural resources. If successful, the study will provide the basis for a commercially viable technology that will improve the performance of hydroponic growth in order to fulfil future global needs for plants and food.