Mems microtensiometer

A device for measuring a chemical potential of a fluid in a plant tissue, said device comprising:

• a cavity disposed within a sensor body as a liquid reservoir, said cavity configured for containing therein a liquid, said cavity comprising at least one opening;
• at least two porous membrane layers positioned at least in part over said at least one opening of said cavity for selectively allowing water transfer between the plant fluid and the liquid in the cavity;
• and
• at least one pressure sensor configured for detecting changes in pressure of the liquid in said cavity, said changes are related to a chemical potential of the fluid in the plant tissue.

A method for measuring fluid potential in a plant tissue, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a device for measuring a chemical potential of a fluid in a plant tissue, said device comprising:
• a cavity disposed in a sensor body as a liquid reservoir, said cavity configured for containing therein a liquid, said cavity comprising at least one opening, at least two porous membrane layers positioned at least over said at least one opening of said cavity for selectively allowing water transfer between the plant fluid and the liquid in the cavity, and at least one pressure sensor configured for detecting changes in pressure of the liquid in said cavity, said changes related to a chemical potential of the fluid in the plant tissue;
• placing at least part of said measuring device inside the plant, wherein said at least two porous membrane layers are configured to selectively allow transfer of water therethrough, while blocking transfer of other ingredients in the plant fluid;
• sensing changes in pressure caused due to an osmotic based flow of fluids into or out of said cavity caused to equilibrate the chemical potential of the plant tissue fluid and the liquid in the cavity;
• and
• outputting pressure sensor data indicative of the sensed pressure, said changes related to the fluid potential of the plant tissue.