Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation's Division of Computer and Network Systems awarded $270,786 under the Computer and Information Science and Engineering program (CFDA 47.070) to the University of Georgia Research Foundation, Inc. for a collaborative research project running from January 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027. The project develops a sustainable wearable sensing system for continuous tree health monitoring using biocompatible sensor arrays implanted in plant xylem tissue. The system delivers real-time, wireless reporting of water and nutrient uptake data to enable improved irrigation and fertilization practices across precision agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and urban environmental conservation applications. The solution addresses existing market gaps by providing zero-maintenance, intelligent monitoring devices that capture essential plant health signals previously unavailable through conventional bulky and high-maintenance systems.

The project's deliverables include both technological and educational components. On the technology side, the award funds development of ultra-long-lasting, battery-free intelligent sensor devices capable of monitoring a plant's complete lifecycle. Educational outputs encompass public dissemination of research materials through open-source hardware and software libraries, tutorials, publications, and datasets; integration of sustainable computing into university curriculum; graduate student mentoring; research experiences for undergraduates; and a summer wind-based, battery-free coding competition. These outputs reflect the program's emphasis on advancing both research innovation and computing workforce development across academic institutions.