The Agronomy Department at Iowa State University is seeking a enable ATV-mounted gamma-ray spectroscopy for real-time soil nutrient and mineral mapping in agricultural fields. ISU would specifically would like it to: Rapidly detect and quantify naturally occurring radionuclides (such as potassium-40, uranium-238, and thorium-232), which serve as proxies for key soil nutrients and mineral content. Provide continuous, real-time gamma-ray spectral measurements at a field scale while mounted on an ATV. Integrate precise GPS coordinates with each measurement to facilitate high-resolution geospatial mapping. Output data in standard, GIS-ready formats (such as CSV) for seamless integration into GIS software (like ArcGIS or QGIS) and allow for statistical analyses using R. Be durable enough for regular use in outdoor environments typical of agricultural research. ATV be able to travel up to 25 MPH while mapping in progress. 12-v input voltage to work with ATV's batter. Be WIFI and Ethernet capable. The data collected would be to create detailed, site-specific maps of soil nutrients and mineral distribution, which will support targeted agricultural management and precision farming research.
