• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.326-333
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• 2011

The need for rapid on-site monitoring of hydroponic macronutrients has led to the use of ion-selective electrodes, because of their advantages over spectrophotometric methods, including simple methodology, direct measurement of analyte, sensitivity over a wide concentration range, and low cost. Stability and repeatability of response can be a concern when using multiple ion-selective electrodes to measure concentrations in a series of samples because accuracy might be limited by drifts in electrode potential. A computer-based measurement system could improve accuracy and precision because of both consistent control of sample preparation and easy calibration of sensors. Our goal was to investigate the applicability of a cobalt-based electrode used in conjunction with a laboratory-made automated test stand for quantitative determination of ${PO_4}^-$ in hydroponic solution. Six hydroponic solutions were prepared by diluting highly concentrated paprika hydroponicsolution to provide a concentration range of 1 to 300 ppm $PO_4$-P. A calibration curve relating electrode response to phosphate in paprika hydroponic solution titrated to pH 4 with 0.025M KHP was developed based on the Nikolskii-Eisenman equation with a coefficient of determination ($R^2$) of 0.94. The laboratory-made test stand consisting of three cobalt-based electrodes measured phosphate concentrations similar to those obtained with standard laboratory methods (a regression slope of 0.98 with $R^2$ = 0.80). However, the y intercept was relatively high, 30 ppm, probably due to the relatively large amount of variation present among multiple measurements of the same sample. Further studies on the high variation in EMFs obtained with cobalt electrodes during replicate measurements were required for P estimations comparable to those obtained with standard laboratory instruments.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Building Construction Conference
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• 2009.05b
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• pp.1-4
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• 2009

Construction automation and robotics are being introduced as an efficient alternative to overcome troubles caused by lack of skilled labors. To accomplish effective automated construction system, design for automation(DFA) should be performed in parallel with the development of core technologies such as control and sensing of robots. In Korea, the development of robotic crane-based construction automation(RCA) system is progressing, and the research group has recently developed newly designed steel joint to improve the efficiency of the system. However, performance of the new system should be examined prior to its application on construction sites. Therefore, This study analyzed performance of the new steel frame focused on its constructibility by carrying out mock-up test. As a result, the steel frame satisfied the standards of allowable stress and deflection. It also enables to reduce the time for installation.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.75-84
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• 2016

Purpose: In-situ water quality monitoring based on ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) is a promising technique because ISEs can be used directly in the medium to be tested, have a compact size, and are inexpensive. However, signal drift can be a major concern with on-line management systems because continuous immersion of the ISEs in water causes electrode degradation, affecting the stability, repeatability, and selectivity over time. In this study, a computer-based nitrate monitoring system including automatic electrode rinsing and calibration was developed to measure the nitrate concentration in water samples in real-time. Methods: The capabilities of two different types of poly(vinyl chloride) membrane-based ISEs, an electrode with a liquid filling and a carbon paste-based solid state electrode, were used in the monitoring system and evaluated on their sensitivities, selectivities, and durabilities. A feasibility test for the continuous detection of nitrate ions in water using the developed system was conducted using water samples obtained from various water sources. Results: Both prepared ISEs were capable of detecting low concentrations of nitrate in solution, i.e., 0.7 mg/L $NO_3-N$. Furthermore, the electrodes have the same order of selectivity for nitrate: $NO_3{^-}{\gg}HCO_3{^-}$ > $Cl^-$ > $H_2PO_4{^-}$ > $SO{_4}^{2-}$, and maintain their sensitivity by > 40 mV/decade over a period of 90 days. Conclusions: The use of an automated ISE-based nitrate measurement system that includes automatic electrode rinsing and two-point normalization proved to be feasible in measuring $NO_3-N$ in water samples obtained from different water sources. A one-to-one relationship between the levels of $NO_3-N$ measured with the ISEs and standard analytical instruments was obtained.