Laser-induced Breakdown Spectroscopy Research Project

Objective: Over the summer holiday period of 2015/2016, I undertook summer engineering work with Plus Group Horticulture – based in Tauranga. I was employed as a Callaghan Innovation funded R&D student over this period, assigned with designing my own research and development project in the field of scientific orchard management – a key objective of Plus Group Horticulture.

The resulting project was a feasibility study into new methods of rapid data acquisition in kiwifruit orchards, in order to aid regional kiwifruit growers, by providing them with easily accessible scientific data to help optimize performance and improve orchard yields.

Contribution:

My investigation focused on two key areas – firstly, the use of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), a process using a high-powered laser and series of optical spectrometers as a sensor to determine various nutrient levels in the leaf matter of vegetation. Secondly, was the use of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) sensing as an easier-to-use method of detecting overall orchard health, using an off-the-shelf sensing apparatus.

My research concluded the use of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy would be of great benefit to the company and minimize time and cost of quantitative nutrient analysis on kiwifruit leaf samples. I summarized my findings in a report and presented them to management.

Skills:

• Scientific investigation

• Research methodology

• Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)

• Spectral analysis

• Report writing & presentation

Takeaways: My research experience was incredibly useful for me, as it allowed me to hone a set of engineering skills beyond just technical experience. It was challenging, and helped to encourage my critical thinking, as well as research skills – areas valuable for any engineering profession.