Microscale Xylem Sap Flow Sensor Facilitating the Simultaneous Measurement of Flow Velocity and Direction

Abstract

In this study, we focused on direct and quantitative monitoring of sap dynamics in plant stems, and proposed the microscale xylem sap flow sensor. This sensor facilitates the simultaneous measurement of flow velocity and direction by combining the principles of a Granier sensor and a thermal flow sensor. We fabricated micro-sensor chips for functional verification by using MEMS technology, and assembled them on a resin film to facilitate mounting on the epidermis of plants. Furthermore, we measured the sap dynamics by using an experimental setup, and succeeded in measuring the flow velocity and direction at the same time.

Keywords

• Granier method
• internal biological information of plants
• sap flow sensor