Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of AI-based Bioinformatics, and more particularly, the present invention relates to the portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity.
BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION:
[0002] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was published, known, or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as of the priority date of the application. The details provided herein the background if belongs to any publication is taken only as a reference for describing the problems, in general terminologies or principles or both of science and technology in the associated prior art.
[0003] Soil microbiomes regulate ecosystem productivity and health and are critical in disease suppression, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and plant growth promotion. However, the particular reason that microbial communities are so valuable is that they make it very challenging to have high-quality, real-time, and field-available information in land management, environmental science, and agriculture. Microbiomes of the soil, communities of microbes within the soil, regulate plant productivity, soil health, and command key ecosystem functions like nutrient cycles, carbon capture, and infection suppression. Therefore, microbial soil population density is the most important factor that should be quickly measured with high precision on an extensive range of uses, from precision agriculture to environmental exploration, ecosystem processes, and land reclamation programs.
[0004] Traditional soil microbiome analysis is very dependent on laboratory-based pipelines. These may involve sample collection, DNA extraction, PCR amplification, high-throughput sequencing (e.g., Illumina, 16S rRNA gene sequencing), and whole-scale bioinformatics processing. It is time- and resource-consuming, requiring special equipment, laboratory facilities, and trained personnel. Thus, microbiome analysis accessibility for in-field decision-making is significantly constrained.
[0005] Some significant flaws in existing techniques render it impossible to accomplish large-scale application of microbial diagnostics in environmental and agricultural applications:
- 1. Laboratory dependency and delayed turnaround: Physical transport to labs for soil analysis and turnaround is generally a few days to weeks behind, except same-day responses to soil health risks or crop management needs.
- 2. Technical Fragmentation and Complexity: The current microbiome analysis pipeline is technically fragmented between different steps and instrumentation. This introduces variability, adds to operational complexity, and creates a barrier to entry for non-experts.
- 3. It is costly: Equipment setup within a laboratory, reagent charges, facility fees for sequencing, and the cost of a trained workforce make routine or high-throughput sequencing of soil microbiome too expensive for most clients, especially for small-scale farmers or researchers in low-input settings.
- 4. Availability for Field Deployment: Because of their size, power utilization, and applicational complexity, they cannot be applied on-site, confining them to a lab setting.
- 5. Less User-Friendliness: Computational insight and knowledge of molecular biology are the most significant obstacles to end-users like farmers, agronomists, and conservation practitioners who lack formal genomics training.
[0006] Some of the prior art patent references: US9760676B2, US10395355B2, US11047232B2, US11385215B2, US11662287B2, US11692989B2, US12247968B2, US20240159727A1, US12247968B2, EP4340975A1, WO2018153447A1, WO2017096385A1, and WO2025042781A1.
[0007] In light of the foregoing, there is a need for the Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity that overcomes problems prevalent in the prior art.
[0008] To facilitate such constraints, the current invention provides an ultra-miniature real-time soil microbiome analyzer that integrates microfluidic sample preparation, nanopore DNA sequencing, artificial intelligence-assisted data analysis, and wireless data connectivity into a single ultra-miniature device. The invention facilitates end-to-end, user-friendly, direct field-based identification and profiling of microbes at ultra-high speeds. This new tool will automatically condition soil samples in a microfluidics lab-on-chip module, perform real-time nanopore-based sequencing, and interpret results through cloud-based artificial intelligence algorithms trained to identify microbes and forecast their functional roles. Results are wirelessly communicated to a cloud platform or smartphone app, providing instant access to actionable microbiome data without technical knowledge or laboratory infrastructure.
[0009] By reducing the need for centralized laboratories from days to less than an hour, reducing the analysis time, and offering real-time location-based microbial diagnosis, the technology is transformative for scalable, low-cost soil microbiome monitoring by the scientific community, environmental professionals, and agronomists alike.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[0010] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows.
[0011] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing the Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity that increases crop yield and sustainability with decreased application of chemical inputs.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity that monitors biological health of the soil, quantify microbial richness and beneficial microbes (e.g., rhizobia, mycorrhizae), and drive natural processes of soil enrichment.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity that promotes organic practice certification, enhance soil productivity by natural means.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity that detects microbial carbon-sequestering organisms and observe biological indicators of soil carbon stability.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity that detects pollutant-degrading microorganism activity, monitoring recovery after forest depletion, wildfires, or contamination.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity that allows species selection, inoculation plans, and rehabilitation programs for the land.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity that provides low-cost microbial ecology training, hands-on with sequencing and AI packages.
[0019] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity that improves soil quality in non-conventional farm setups and improve urban greening.
[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide the Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity that improves soil quality in non-conventional farm setups and improve urban greening.
[0021] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0022] The present invention provides Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity.
[0023] Soil microbiomes, the complex assemblies of bacteria, fungi, archaea, and other microbes, are essential for soil fertility, plant health, and biogeochemical cycling. Soil microbiomes regulate nutrient availability, disease suppression activity, and robust ecosystems. Microbe monitoring and analysis are critical to applications from sustainable agriculture and ecosystem conservation to climate science and ecosystem management. However, traditional soil microbiome analysis methods use laboratory DNA sequencing techniques, e.g., iterative shipment of samples, DNA extraction, sequencing, and computational analysis. Not only are they time- and cost-intensive, but they are also unsuitable for real-time application in the field, except that they can be accessed and respond to dynamic decision-making.
[0024] The invention presents an innovative handheld real-time soil microbiome analyzer that revolutionizes microbial community analysis and translation into practice. The enhanced system combines microfluidic sample processing, nanopore sequencing, artificial intelligence-driven data interpretation, and wireless transmission into an intuitive, portable, handheld device. Combining these state-of-the-art technology features provides on-site microbial profiling for researchers, farmers, and environmental professionals with limited technical knowledge.
[0025] Under its surface, an entirely integrated microfluidic system is embedded that mechanizes and streamlines nucleic acid extraction and soil sample preparation. The miniaturized system eliminates cumbersome laboratory equipment but provides the highest consistency and speed in managing samples. DNA sequencing is conducted using nanopore technology for real-time long-read sequencing. Thus, it instantly provides feedback regarding the sample's microbial diversity and functional potential.
[0026] The novel feature of this technology is its artificial intelligence-based real-time analysis pipeline that interprets the sequencing data in real time using cloud-based pre-trained machine learning models. The models identify microorganisms, forecast functional traits, and produce rich microbiome profiles. The data to be analyzed can be wirelessly transmitted to a smartphone or remote server in real time, and it is easy to integrate into precision agriculture systems, ecological monitoring networks, or central research repositories.
[0027] The analyzer is ruggedized for that specific purpose, battery-powered, and lightweight to function in remote or resource-constrained environments. It has a user-friendly interface that non-experts can operate, making microbiome information available to all. Examples are precision agriculture, where real-time microbiological information can be used to inform fertilizer input or plant type; environmental monitoring, where microbial variability can signal early warning of contamination or climatic stress; and research education, where field sampling can accelerate ecology and soil science.
[0028] This innovation bridges the gap between frontier microbial genomics and ground-level applications worldwide. Accessible real-time microbiome analysis enables a new generation of data-driven decision-making for environmental sustainability, soil health, and sustainable development.
[0029] In contrast to conventional multi-step systems with trained staff and laboratory equipment, this invention provides an end-to-end, portable system that takes genomic-level microbial analysis to the point of use.
- Real-Time Sequencing of Microbiomes at the Site: This is the first system to complete DNA extraction, sequencing, and analysis of soil microbiomes in the field in real time. The invention unites nanopore sequencing technology in a portable format, eliminating the requirement of shipping samples to a lab.
- Integrated Microfluidic Sample Preparation: The technology involves using microfluidic chips to perform DNA isolation and purification from soil samples in the field. The existing platforms involve manual extraction, whereas this is an ongoing, contamination-free, closed-loop prep system.
- Cloud-Based AI Microbial Analysis: It wirelessly transmits data to cloud-based AI models following sequencing that identify microbes and forecast functional genes or ecological characteristics. This lightens users' workloads by avoiding the necessity for state-of-the-art bioinformatics pipelines, which are usually the responsibility of experts.
- Integrated End-to-End in a Single Device: Although everything in this technology (nanopore sequencers, microfluidics, cloud computing) is well-known, this technology brings together all the components as a single handheld device for the first time. No solution exists with such an independent, end-to-end automated pipeline from soil to answer.
- Friendly User Interface with Cell Connectivity: The device has an easy mobile interface by which people from any science background can run tests, read results, and sync to the cloud. It makes analysis of the soil microbiome a standard laboratory process instead of an expert laboratory process available for farmers, scientists, and ecologists to adopt as a field procedure within their reach.
- Geo-Tagged Results with Wireless Connectivity: The technology combines real-time wireless data transmission and optional GPS tagging to deliver geographically distinct microbiome maps. It enables mass-scale soil health monitoring and integration into precision agriculture platforms or environmental monitoring systems.
[0030] This invention's innovative technology does not involve making new components but integrating multiple breakthrough technologies- microfluidics, handheld sequencing, AI processing, and IoT connectivity- into a highly compact, single, and independent device that provides detailed soil microbiome information to anyone at an accessible price point.
[0031] This real-time, field-deployable, integrated analyzer is a paradigm shift in soil microbial analysis, translating the laboratory-based specialized method into something field-compatible, scalable, and decision-relevant at the ground level.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0032] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
[0033] Figure 1 explains the assembly of PSMA, where it’s different parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
[0034] While the present invention is described herein by way of example using embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments of drawing or drawings described and are not intended to represent the scale of the various components. Further, some components that may form a part of the invention may not be illustrated in certain figures, for ease of illustration, and such omissions do not limit the embodiments outlined in any way. It should be understood that the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.
[0035] As used throughout this description, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e. meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense, (i.e. meaning must). Further, the words "a" or "an" mean "at least one” and the word “plurality” means “one or more” unless otherwise mentioned. Furthermore, the terminology and phraseology used herein are solely used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as limiting in scope. Language such as "including," "comprising," "having," "containing," or "involving," and variations thereof, is intended to be broad and encompass the subject matter listed thereafter, equivalents, and additional subject matter not recited, and is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers, or steps. Likewise, the term "comprising" is considered synonymous with the terms "including" or "containing" for applicable legal purposes. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, and the like are included in the specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any or all these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention.
[0036] In this disclosure, whenever a composition or an element or a group of elements is preceded with the transitional phrase “comprising”, it is understood that we also contemplate the same composition, element, or group of elements with transitional phrases “consisting of”, “consisting”, “selected from the group of consisting of, “including”, or “is” preceding the recitation of the composition, element or group of elements and vice versa.
[0037] The present invention is described hereinafter by various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein reference numerals used in the accompanying drawing correspond to the like elements throughout the description. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following detailed description, numeric values and ranges are provided for various aspects of the implementations described. These values and ranges are to be treated as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In addition, several materials are identified as suitable for various facets of the implementations. These materials are to be treated as exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
[0038] The present invention provides Portable soil micro biome analyzer (PSMA) with AI-based interpretation and wireless connectivity.
[0039] The solution provides a field-deployable, transportable platform for in situ soil microbiome analysis using automated sample preparation, DNA nanopore sequencing, and AI-driven data analysis. The solution provides in-situ microbial community analysis with high-throughput capability in diverse environments to provide value to crop health in agriculture, conservation management, education, and environmental monitoring. By removing the limitations imposed by conventional laboratory-based tools, the technology brings microbial genomics to remote and low-resource environments and places soil health information at individuals' fingertips. Soil is a network of living microscopic organisms, and collectively they constitute the soil microbiome—a complex mixture of bacteria, fungi, archaea, viruses, and other microbes. Microbes immediately influence processes ranging from the modulation of nutrient cycling, decomposition, plant growth promotion, and the elimination of harmful toxins. Soil microbial fingerprinting is increasingly being utilized to indicate soil health and ecosystem resistance better.
[0040] Even among the most valued under urgent conditions, studies have been conducted on such populations in their natural habitats until now. Soil sampling techniques, DNA extraction, PCR, sequencing, and bioinformatics analysis are some of the usual laboratory-intensive procedures that require costly equipment, highly skilled human skills, and many other laboratory-intensive processes. These limitations make decisions on farm management, ecological restoration, stopping global change, and achieving site-specific data more challenging. The new sequencing technology (e.g., Oxford Nanopore MinION) has already shown us a glimpse of decentralized genomics at our fingertips. Some obstacles must, however, be overcome first before these standard tools are in our hands to study the soil microbiome: the technical barrier of DNA release from recalcitrant soil matrix, no on-the-fly analysis, and technical expertise in interpretation. In order to solve such issues, we intend to build a revolutionary handheld one-stop soil microbiome analyzer that will be required to work outdoors, sequence DNA, and process with AI, and require minimal end-user knowledge.
[0041] Soil microbiome has also been traditionally termed the "black box" of agriculture and ecology because of the technological challenge of accessing its enormous and dynamic biodiversity, making it an intractable system. Microbial diversity and community structure are not just heterogeneous between but also within meter-scale soil heterogeneity. Microscale heterogeneities significantly influence how they impact crop yields, nutritional value, and ecological resistance. Historic access to the soil microbiome is now more hand-extraction from soil samples, central cold chain transport-lab, phenol-chloroform- or spin column-enhanced DNA extraction and purification, specificity marker PCR amplification (16S rRNA, ITS, etc.), statistical and bioinformatics analysis by computation, and next-generation sequencing (NGS).
[0042] The Portable Soil Microbiome Analyzer (PSMA) is a battery-driven, lightweight diagnostic device for on-site identification of soil microbial communities, functional annotation, and ecological profiling. PSMA integrates:
- 1. Microfluidic Automated Soil Processing
- 2. Nanopore DNA Sequencing onboard
- 3. AI-driven Microbiome Interpretation Software
- 4. Easy-to-use Mobile Interface with Real-Time Output
[0043] All the subsystems are modularly designed, enabling scalability and future upgrades for various use cases.
[0044] The heart of the PSMA is a microfluidic lab-on-a-chip. This palm-top disposable cartridge carries out complex laboratory processes like cell lysis, DNA binding, washing, and elution. The chip carries out the following processes:
- Cell Lysis: Mechanical and chemical pressures break microbial membranes, releasing nucleic acids.
- DNA Capture: Magnetic silica beads bind DNA in a controlled flow environment.
- Impurity Removal: Sequential washing chambers remove humic acids, polysaccharides, and enzyme inhibitors.
- DNA Elution: Elution of purified DNA into a sequencing-ready reaction well.
[0045] This closed-loop system reduces manual pipetting and contamination hazards. Reagents are pre-loaded on every chip, which can analyze one soil sample in less than 20 minutes.
[0046] The purified DNA is loaded onto an integrated nanopore sequencing platform by MinION or Flongle technologies. Major specifications are:
- Real-time base calling with edge computing
- Long-read capabilities for structural variation and functional gene identification
- Minimum input requirements for soil samples
- USB or Bluetooth connectivity with mobile phones
[0047] The sequencing module is housed in a protective casing and powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, enabling operation in extreme or off-grid environments.
[0048] A pre-trained AI model is the system's analytical core. Trained on annotated soil microbiome data sets from diverse biomes, the AI module does:
- Taxonomic classification via k-mer matching and convolutional neural networks (CNNs)
- Functional annotation using protein-coding gene prediction to KEGG, COG, and NR databases
- Soil health measurement using microbial community structures and indicator species
- Trend detection in time-series data for longitudinal analysis
[0049] The engine works in two modes:
- Edge Mode (offline): Enables local interpretation using onboard AI chip (e.g., NVIDIA Jetson Nano)
- Cloud Mode (online): Complies with cloud-high performance infrastructure for faster processing and model updating
[0050] A personalized tablet or mobile app provides convenient access to the tool. It includes:
- Tutorial videos guided workflows, dynamic dashboards with real-time display of microbial content (e.g., bar plots, pie plots, diversity scores)
- Functional gene profiles (e.g., sulfur cycling, nitrogen fixation)
- Global benchmarking of soil health scores in comparison with reference soils
- Context-specific suggestions (e.g., biofertilizer application, irrigation management)
- Data export formats (CSV, PDF, JSON)
- GPS tagging and cloud synchronization for compilation of data
[0051] It can be accessed in multiple languages and constructed to work naturally for non-experts like farmers, teachers, and community scientists.
[0052] Farmers can use the PSMA to analyze microbial diversity, screen for disease- or beneficial microbes, and adjust soil amendments. For instance, decreased nitrogen-fixing microbes can initiate seed inoculation or intercropping of legumes. Precision fertilization is enabled by real-time feedback with low environmental and financial impacts. Post-disaster restoration contexts (e.g., fire areas, oil spills) are facilitated by microbiome monitoring. Rehabilitators can monitor microbial succession, set ecological thresholds, and apply specific inoculants (e.g., mycorrhizal fungi) to enhance restoration. Measuring microbial carbon cycling genes facilitates soil-carbon sequestration assertions under climate initiatives. PSMA-generated data can be applied in MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) procedures. Ecology, microbiology, and environmental science courses can use the analyzer to produce real-time data. Students compare land use, examine trends in biodiversity, and receive hands-on experience with sequencing technology. Government agencies and NGOs can identify microbial signatures of heavy metal contamination, antibiotic resistance, or nutrient overloading in at-risk ecosystems. Portability facilitates rapid risk mitigation.
[0053] The AI component is a significant breakthrough that differentiates this product from individual sequencers. The model stack comprises:
- Pre-processing Layer: Signal processing and base calling of raw nanopore data.
- Feature Extraction: k-mer embedding and normalization of GC content.
- Classification Layer: CNNs were learned on several microbiome samples of habitats.
- Ensemble Voting: Random forest, support vector machine, and neural network decision fusion.
[0054] Output Layer:
- Alpha-diversity metrics (e.g., Shannon, Simpson indices).
- Beta-diversity plots (e.g., Bray-Curtis dissimilarity)
- Functional gene abundance scores
- Alert flags (e.g., low microbial activity, contamination threats)
[0055] The PSMA farmer can send prior to the planting season in order to map microbial communities in several fields. The sensor identifies low rhizobial populations in two fields. With the app at the forefront, the farmer uses a bioinoculant, reducing nitrogen fertilizer inputs, reducing costs, and increasing yield. Foresters can use the analyzer to monitor microbial diversity in burned vs. unburned forest stands. Results indicate a deficiency of fungal diversity in the majority of damaged areas. Based on the results, fungal spore paste was added, which increased soil porosity and vegetation recolonization within 12 months. PSMA is usable by educationists and researchers when comparing urban, suburban, and farming soils. They generate microbial bar charts, produce reports, and engage in citizen science by reporting outcomes into a worldwide database.
- Body of Handheld Analyzer: The compact, rugged housing of all the in-house components, such as the microfluidic DNA extraction module, nanopore sequencing module, power source, and wireless communication module. Water- and dust-resistant field portability enables it to operate under variable conditions in the field.
- LED Display: This high-contrast touch screen allows for direct readout of sequencing status, sample status, battery status, connectivity status, and soil health score. It is also used for real-time visualization of data, e.g., the presence of pathogens or balance warnings in nutrients.
- Real-time DNA Sequencing Unit: A nanopore sequencer enables direct sequencing of long-strand DNA molecules as they pass through protein nanopores. Enables real-time microbial profiling of soil samples without requiring bulky laboratory equipment. Functions on-chip with the microfluidic lysis and purification system.
- Soil Microbiome Indicator Panel: This panel represents a taxonomically resolved and interpreted advanced soil microbiota community (bacteria, archaea, fungi) to the AI processor. Real-time measurements enable interpretation of stress markers, beneficial microbes (e.g., nitrogen-fixers), and nutrient cycling.
- Wireless Data Transfer Module: This module offers Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and optionally LTE-based sequencing and AI-processed data transfer. It enables seamless synchronization with farm management software or cloud databases. It also offers secure encryption and edge caching in low-network conditions.
- Cloud Processing and AI Engine: The edge AI chip is offline, and the cloud server is online, running the backend engine. It performs AI-based taxonomic classification and functional gene annotation (nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, etc.) and computes soil health scores, warnings, and suggestions.
- Environmental Monitoring System: An integrated environmental sensor array records metadata such as temperature, pH, humidity, and GPS location, cross-matched against the sequencing output to give an integrated profile of soil quality. It enables monitoring of population dynamics in microbes in response to climate or anthropogenically caused change.
- Four-Chambered Sample Loading Slot: A cartridge-based sample loading bay divided into chambers for multi-target analysis. Separate chambers for (a) Fungi: Fungal DNA target modules; (b) Bacteria: Whole genome sequencing of 16S rRNA; (c) Toxins: Microbial gene detection of toxins; and (d) Nutrients: Microbial N, P, and C cycle genes. The easiest lysis and non-cross-contamination protocol to access all chambers.
- Compartment Lid: Lid to close about UV protection and sample slot chamber safety lock when operating. Holds an RFID-based sensor for the detection of the chamber and the safety lock when locked. Maintains sample integrity when employed in field application.
[0056] A glove-friendly grid of touch-sensitive buttons controls device functions such as sample start, sequencing pause, switching between offline/cloud mode, data export, or switching between microbiome reports. It can also be used to reset and configure input devices.
[0057] PSMA is an environmental biotechnology paradigm. Placing automation, sequencing, and artificial intelligence into a field-portable device, PSMA removes high-resolution microbial diagnostics from the laboratory and into the field. PSMA allows farmers, scientists, students, and conservationists to make informed, in-the-moment decisions based on real-time biological information, facilitating more sustainable, adaptive, and resilient systems. As the demand for soil stewardship increases in the face of the imperatives of climate change, loss of biodiversity, and food security, technologies such as this one can transform our knowledge and stewardship of the living earth under our feet.
[0058] The disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein.
[0059] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully revealed the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the scope of the embodiments as described herein.
, Claims:We Claim:
1) A portable soil microbiome analyzer, the portable analyzer comprising:
- a microfluidic chip configured to automate soil sample processing, including cell lysis, DNA extraction, and purification;
- a nanopore-based DNA sequencing module operatively connected to receive the purified DNA and perform real-time long-read sequencing;
an AI-based data interpretation engine trained on annotated soil microbiome data, configured to perform taxonomic classification and functional gene annotation; and
- a wireless communication interface adapted to transmit sequencing results to a user device or cloud server,
- wherein said analyzer is handheld, battery-powered, and operable in-field for real-time microbial community profiling.
2) The portable analyzer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the microfluidic chip includes pre-loaded reagents and a closed-loop cartridge for contamination-free DNA isolation from heterogeneous soil matrices.
3) The portable analyzer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the AI engine comprises machine learning models configured to identify microbial taxa, compute soil health scores, and provide actionable recommendations on fertilizer use, disease risk, or soil enrichment.
4) The portable analyzer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nanopore sequencing module is configured to provide base-calling and real-time visualization of microbial readouts via an onboard or connected mobile device interface.
5) The portable analyzer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless communication interface comprises Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and/or LTE modules and is configured for secure data transfer to smartphones, cloud platforms, or precision agriculture software.
6) The portable analyzer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the AI engine operates in both offline edge-processing mode and online cloud-computing mode, depending on network availability, for flexible data interpretation.
7) The portable analyzer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system includes a mobile application or user interface configured to display microbial diversity profiles, functional gene summaries, soil health scores, and geotagged maps of microbial composition.
8) A method for in-field real-time analysis of a soil microbiome using the analyzer of claim 1, the method comprising:
- inserting a soil sample into a microfluidic cartridge;
- extracting and purifying DNA on-chip;
- sequencing the DNA via the nanopore sequencing module;
interpreting the sequencing data using an AI model trained on microbial communities; and
- displaying or transmitting soil health and microbial information to a user device for decision support in agricultural or environmental contexts.