Creating intelligent technologies for land and water based industries

Who is LVL ?Research and development company focused on

providing technology solutions for NZ industry

LVL is a 100% subsidiary of Lincoln University with an independent board

Lincoln Ventures • Smart sensors and equipment to assist NZ-based industries to differentiate

their products in the global marketplace and manage production - utilise microwave sensing, machine vision and biosensors;

• Water research and modelling - supplying tools that enable regional and central government and water users to manage ground water quality and allocation/use for sustainable use of NZ’s water resource;

• Chemical application research and training to develop best management practices, technologies and models to balance pesticide use, sustainable primary production and environmental protection;

• Irricad - a globally distributed computer software package for designing all types of pressurized irrigation systems. Includes GIS-linked layout, engineering design and B.O.M.

Interactive, remote real-time collaborative electron microscopy This project is to allow researchers from New Zealand and around the world to use their specialised electron microscopes remotely. These microscopes are specialised for electron tomography (three-dimensional reconstruction of sub-micron structures) — a technique that has wide application within biological, medical and material sciences.The project has created a software application through which users can access real-time high-quality digital microscope images and access limited microscope controls. They can also converse naturally with the microscope operator using video and voice, and use sketching/diagrammatic whiteboard communication using software such as Evo.

This project was funded by the KAREN Capability Building Fund round 2 at the end of 2007.

Interactive, remote real-time collaborative electron microscopy

IRAP Integrated Research for Aquifer ProtectionAquiferSim

•FRST funded research - multi-scale collaboration between eight organisations•Improve understanding of cumulative effects of non-point nitrate contamination of ground water on alluvial plains•Involves experimental work and modelling •Models to estimate what is happening out there: • the big picture

•Now•in the future (with further intensification)

(From Linda Lilburne – LandCare)

Spring-fed stream catchments

IRAP Integrated Research for Aquifer ProtectionWebFarmSim

Allows a user to simulate various types of farm systems, such as:•Dairy Farms•Traditional Cropping Farms•Intensive Cropping Farms•Sheep and Beef Farmsand study the effect on nitrate leaching of varying irrigation and fertiliser management.

Farm System ModelsI have worked with the following systems:DairyNZ’s Whole Farm Model – simulates dairy farms in

considerable detailLincoln University’s LincFarm – simulates various types of farms,

especially sheep farms.PoohSim – Lincoln University PhD (Andrew Bates) (funded by

DairyNZ) – investigating nitrogen dynamics on a dairy farm - simulation of urine and dung patching on a Dairy Farm with specific example of Lincoln University Dairy Farm (but can do any)

WebFarmSim – the farm simulation project for the IRAP projectNow working with ApSim (from Australia) for new version of

WebFarmSim for the IRAP project

Cumulative Agrichemical Residue Tracking

Allows monitoring of spraydrift.Two intended groups of users:•Farmers/contractors spraying on farms•Regional councils to monitor overall effects of cumulative spraying and spraydrift.

This project integrates GIS data, meteorological data and chemical data, and is an example of an e-research project.

Irrigation Software

Used to design all types of pressurised irrigation systems – Marketed under AEI Software.

IRRICAD used for Agricultural, Horticultural and large turf systems.

FastQuote used for domestic and small turf.

Developed and sold since 1988.Over 800 users (packages sold) in 35+

countries.We have also used our expertise in

this area to develop specialised software for various irrigation manufacturing companies.

Irrigation Drawing ToolWe created a drawing tool for Reece Irrigation in Australia to be used on their website.Customers can upload an image (e.g. from GoogleMaps) of their garden, draw in its features, and submit it to Reece for a quote for irrigation.Their consultant then import their drawing into Irricad, to “tailor an irrigation solution to their needs”.

This application was written in Flash (CS4, AS3)

Smart sensors and measurement technologies

Development of non invasive measurement technologies and sensors for quantity and quality parameters using microwave, machine vision and biosensors

Kiwifruit Counter

Grape Sense A tool for mapping early indicators of spatial quality variation to measures at harvest, to facilitate early intervention and hence maximise crop value.

SciTOX• Biosensor for measuring toxicity of waste• Very fast toxicity screening – ideal for waste water• Product commercialised by SciTOX

ConclusionAt LVL we have a good history of collaboration.We have a good knowledge of e-research and implemented a

KAREN CBF-funded project.We have a wide range of technical expertise, including (but

not limited to):Programming C# Flash, C++, Java and many other languagesInteractive web applications (ASP.NET, Flash) e-Research expertise, especially in grid computing, HPCDevelopment of sensors utilising machine vision, microwave

sensing and biosensors