Galvanic Cell Type Sensor for Soil Moisture Analysis Pramod Gaikwad Mruthyunjayachari Chattanahalli Devendrachari Ravikumar Thimmappa Bhuneshwar Paswan Alagar Raja Kottaichamy Harish Makri Nimbegondi Kotresh Musthafa Ottakam Thotiyl 10.1021/acs.analchem.5b01653.s001 https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Galvanic_Cell_Type_Sensor_for_Soil_Moisture_Analysis/2147866 Here we report the first potentiometric sensor for soil moisture analysis by bringing in the concept of Galvanic cells wherein the redox energies of Al and conducting polyaniline are exploited to design a battery type sensor. The sensor consists of only simple architectural components, and as such they are inexpensive and lightweight, making it suitable for on-site analysis. The sensing mechanism is proved to be identical to a battery type discharge reaction wherein polyaniline redox energy changes from the conducting to the nonconducting state with a resulting voltage shift in the presence of soil moisture. Unlike the state of the art soil moisture sensors, a signal derived from the proposed moisture sensor is probe size independent, as it is potentiometric in nature and, hence, can be fabricated in any shape or size and can provide a consistent output signal under the strong aberration conditions often encountered in soil moisture analysis. The sensor is regenerable by treating with 1 M HCl and can be used for multiple analysis with little read out hysteresis. Further, a portable sensor is fabricated which can provide warning signals to the end user when the moisture levels in the soil go below critically low levels, thereby functioning as a smart device. As the sensor is inexpensive, portable, and potentiometric, it opens up avenues for developing effective and energy efficient irrigation strategies, understanding the heat and water transfer at the atmosphere–land interface, understanding soil mechanics, forecasting the risk of natural calamities, and so on. 2015-07-21 00:00:00 understanding soil mechanics potentiometric sensor 1 M HCl water transfer irrigation strategies nonconducting state redox energies battery type discharge reaction soil moisture analysis Galvanic Cell Type Sensor warning signals art soil moisture sensors polyaniline redox energy changes end user moisture sensor output signal Soil Moisture AnalysisHere moisture levels battery type sensor aberration conditions Galvanic cells voltage shift soil moisture probe size