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Method for detecting moisture in soils using secondary cosmic radiation

Patent ·
OSTI ID:1174622

Water content in a soil is determined by measuring the attenuation of secondary background cosmic radiation as this radiation propagates through a layer of soil and water. By measuring the attenuation of secondary cosmic radiation in the range of 5 MeV-15 MeV it is possible to obtain a relative measure of the water content in a soil layer above a suitable radiation detector and thus establish when and how much irrigation is needed. The electronic circuitry is designed so that a battery pack can be used to supply power.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
Assignee:
Sandia National Laboratories (Livermore, CA)
Patent Number(s):
6,663,012
Application Number:
10/004,291
OSTI ID:
1174622
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English