by Regina Coeby
L-3 Services, Inc.
SSC San Diego's Technology Transfer Office executed a patent license agreement with Soil and Topography Information (STI) Limited Liability Company.
STI is a Wisconsin-based company that develops and deploys tools and techniques for digital, three-dimensional mapping of soil properties and topography.
The Center's licensed technology consists of an optical sensor probe coupled with software that utilizes real-time measurements of soil type and moisture content to improve quantification of soil conditions and soil nutrient data.
It will improve STI's Soil Information System (SIS) product, which uses proximal soil sensors; geographic positioning; and information systems, statistics, and computer technologies to produce detailed maps of soil nutrients and conditions.
Information on soil type and condition has been used for centuries to manage and understand crop growth. Since the first plow was put in the ground, growers have used soil information to guide their decisions. Farm managers are often responsible for thousands of acres and need detailed soil information to make proper decisions.
A growing concern around the world is pollution due to overfertilization. By incorporating the Center's licensed technology, SIS data will enable farmers to more efficiently apply the optimal quantity of fertilizer, leading to resource savings and decreased pollution.
Using the Center's technology for soil information is especially useful in managing high-value crops, such as wine grapes, where quality is highly dependent on variations in soil type and conditions.
SIS also has a variety of other real-world applications for the Center's technology, including snow pack assessment for safety or recreational purposes, and evaluating soil conditions in military battlefield environment during military operations.
The product is expected to be commercially available within 36 months. Due to the Navy's generous royalty sharing policy, the Center's inventors will receive the first $2,000 in royalty payments each year and 40 percent of the remainder.
More Info: Dr. Stephen Lieberman, t2@spawar.navy.mil
STI instruments on an all-terrain vehicle utilizing SSC San Diego technology for three-dimensional mapping of soil properties. (Click image to enlarge)
