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A capacitive multi-wavelength sensor for moisture content gradient sensing in wood

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Abstract

Technical advancements in the field of capacitive sensing and the availability of multi-channel capacitance-to-digital converters have led the way for improved sensing capabilities in the field of wood moisture content. A four-channel, planar capacitance sensor was developed and calibrated on maple veneers. The calibration material was conditioned to equilibrium at three different relative humidity levels. Optimal penetration depths were determined statistically and analytically. A rule of mixture approach and a volumetric model were applied to derive the moisture content at distinct layers. Different levels of discrepancy of the fit were observed among and within the different electrodes and calibration datasets. The sensor was able to determine changes in moisture content and positive moisture content gradients, rather than averages, with the limitation of detecting negative moisture gradients.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported and funded through the National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center for Wood Based Composites award no. IIP-1624599. A special thanks goes to Milo Clauson, Senior Research Assistant in the Department of Wood Science and Engineering at Oregon State University, for his help and advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Forest Biomaterials, North Carolina State University, Campus Box 8003, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA

    Paul Frederik Laleicke

  2. Department of Wood Science and Engineering, Oregon State University, 3180 SW Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA

    Frederick A. Kamke

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  1. Paul Frederik Laleicke
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  2. Frederick A. Kamke
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Correspondence to Paul Frederik Laleicke.

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Laleicke, P.F., Kamke, F.A. A capacitive multi-wavelength sensor for moisture content gradient sensing in wood. Wood Sci Technol 52, 717–732 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-018-0988-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00226-018-0988-z

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