A highly sensitive piezoresistive cantilever based sensor platform for detection of macronutrients in soil

In this paper we have demonstrated for the first time a piezoresistive microcantilever based platform for detection of one of the macronutrients in the soil in a fluid medium. Also a low cost piezoresistive microcantilever platform is introduced which is ideal for bio-sensing applications. The cantilever surface was immobilized with 18-crown-6 ether in a polyvinyl chloride and dioctyl sebacate matrix. This layer acts as a sensing layer for potassium. This platform can be extended to sense other macronutrients and micronutrients in the soil. The low cost handy tool for soil nutrient sensing is an essential device for any small-town farmer or a researcher in the agricultural laboratory.