A new center composed of interdisciplinary researchers, including CBE faculty members Yu Lei and Matthew Stuber, has been established to address the industry's need for reliable soil sensors. The center will focus on developing innovative solutions for measuring soil properties using hydrogels, and it is sponsored by the National Science Foundation's Industry-University Cooperative Research Centers (IUCRC) Program. This research will support the development of precision agriculture, an approach that focuses on applying fertilizers or pesticides only in the areas needed, decreasing the accumulation of dangerous chemicals, promoting plant health, and helping farmers save money. To read more about the center, click here.