Being able to anticipate weather pattern is an of the essence part of farming . But it can be especially challenge in places like Zambia , where the climate waver between extend drought andmonths of rain . so as to provide accurate and affordable weather information to the Zambian Farmer who need it most , one group of researchers is search to 3D - printing technology , City Labreports .
The team at theUniversity Corporation for Atmospheric Research(UCAR ) late instal five 3D - print weather stations throughout the region . The set - ups use much of the same sensor and equipment you ’d receive in a established place . Solar - powered sensing element measure humidness , tip , temperature , rainfall , and air atmospheric pressure while hive away the information they foregather on a computer chip onboard .
What makes the place singular are the materials it ’s built from . A air piston chamber that shields radiation sickness , a funnel shape that collects rainfall water , and a frame for the sensors were all made in a 3D - pressman . This manufacturing method results in a much cheaper mathematical product . While the Zambian government can spend around $ 10,000 to $ 20,000 on a even weather station , this one only costs around $ 300 to build . The 3D - impress road also make replace parts dewy-eyed and toll - good .
The meteorological department in Zambia uses less than 100 stations to make their weather predictions , which leave many share of the country without entropy . The researchers ' 3-D - print machines , stationed near radio tower and a rural hospital in the state , are currently being pilot - tested by the section . In improver to using the equipment , they ’re also being taught how to study its data and build new weather stations themselves . There are only five stations as of now , but the destination is to give the Zambian meteorological section the puppet they need to build and maintain a electronic connection of over 100 . Thenext stepfor the scientist is to examine the pauperization for similar weather engineering in other develop country .
[ h / tCity Lab ]
