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Climate change

USC to Lead Industry-University Cooperative Research Center for Soil Technologies

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The University of Southern California will lead a joint research effort with the University of Connecticut, the University of Washington, and Iowa State University to develop technologies for assessment of soil sustainability and health, tracking impacts of climate change on soils, and providing tools for ensuring food security. The Center for Soil Technologies (SoilTech) will be the first of its kind to develop in-situ and remote sensing and analysis tools that can share real-time soil dynamics data with the nation at-large.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Center for Soil Technologies (SoilTech) will be led by the University of Southern California and will involve a 5-year Phase 1 effort in collaboration with the University of Connecticut, the University of Washington, and Iowa State University.
  • The center will develop tools to observe surface and subsurface soil properties, including water content, organic matter content, and contaminants.
  • The researchers will develop visualization tools to share observations broadly with the agriculture, water management, and infrastructure management communities.
  • The center will have participation from 15 industry members who will support the development of research projects in the Center.
  • The participating universities will create tools to determine optimal irrigation patterns and understand the effects of carbon sequestration on soil.
  • Mahta Moghaddam, USC Viterbi's Vice Dean for Research, will lead the cross-university effort as the principal investigator.
  • The center will address the knowledge gap in understanding the dynamics of soil and its impact on food security, shelter, and infrastructure.
  • The university partners will provide complementary expertise to the larger initiative.

Statistics:

  • The center will have a 5-year duration.
  • 15 industry members will participate in the center.
  • The researchers will focus on developing tools for remote sensing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, drone-based sensor swarms, and geospatial analysis.

Sources:

  • FAQ: "SoilTech"
  • University of Southern California Information Sciences Institute

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