SDSU Develops Graphene Sensors for Corn Growth
South Dakota State University researchers built low-cost sensors that track corn stalk and ear growth in real time.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Botany
Researchers at South Dakota State University have developed laser-induced graphene sensors that measure the diameter growth of corn stalks and ears. The sensors update data every 10 minutes and are intended to support field-level plant monitoring.
Why it matters
The sensors are intended to help plant breeders and agronomists give farmers more specific advice on crop development. Continuous, low-cost measurement of plant growth could support more precise management decisions across South Dakota's agricultural sector.
The sensors use laser-induced graphene built on polyimide sheets costing under one dollar and record growth measurements every 10 minutes. Performance outside controlled settings has not yet been evaluated, and field trials in SDSU test plots are still planned.
The players
South Dakota State University
A public land-grant university in Brookings, South Dakota, whose researchers developed the corn growth sensors.
Mazhar Sher
An assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering who led development of the laser-induced graphene sensors.
The details
Mazhar Sher, an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, began developing the sensors in August 2022. The devices attach to a food-grade silicone band with a spring mechanism that allows expansion, and measurements are recorded on a microSD card.
Timeline
August 2022: Sher began developing laser-induced graphene sensors at South Dakota State University.
December 2025: Sikander Ameer graduated after optimizing laser parameters for the sensors.
The Big Picture
Graphene was first isolated as a single-layer sheet in 2004 by Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov, who won the 2010 Nobel Prize in physics. Laser-induced graphene, first reported at Rice University in 2014, is now being adapted by SDSU for crop measurement.
If validated in fields, the sensors could give South Dakota farmers and plant breeders a cheaper way to track corn growth through the season. The technology is still at the research stage, and commercial availability is not yet established.
The takeaway
Low-cost, continuous plant measurement could help growers make more targeted decisions in the years ahead. Until field trials confirm performance, the sensors remain a research prototype.
Further reading
Explore more research in Botany for context on plant growth measurement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Foodonline.
