LEGO bioplastic bricks, castor bean coats, world’s first hydrogen powered ferry and carrier ship, and more: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the week of December 20th

#7 Japanese researchers invent biodegradable humidity sensors for farmers

In Japan, scientists have developed a mostly biodegradable humidity sensor that alerts farmers when sections of their land needs water.

Takaaki Kasuga of Osaka University led the group, which created a circuit board comprised mostly of cellulose nanofibers that alert farmers to low soil humidity. The sensor biodegrades in a little over a month.

Technical challenges remain, however. The sensors contain small amounts of metals that don’t break down in the environment, and the sensors need an external power source. Kasuga tells NHK Japan he hopes to solve these issues before the sensors are available for commercial sale.
More on the story, here.