Ali Farsad 3725 Monterey Pines St., Unit J-101 Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (413) 658-8532 [email protected]Page 1 of 16 I addition to technical and sales support, conducting several workshops and presentations, attending several trade shows and scientific conferences, I have had the management rule in designing, improving, developing and testing several SEC products. Major items are listed below. • Workshops and Training Courses. SEC Dealer Training Workshop, Santa Barbara, CA, 2014. Field Trip, Mesa Vineyard, CA, 2013 • Field Demonstrations and Customer Visits. Farm Visit, Goleta, CA, 2014. Fruit Growers Lab, Santa Paula, CA, 2014 • Domestic and International Trade Shows and Scientific Conferences. ASA, CSA and SSSA Joint Conference, Tampa, FL, 2013 Soil Science Conference, Florianopolis, Brazil, 2013
Transcript
Ali Farsad 3725 Monterey Pines St., Unit J-101 Santa Barbara, CA 93105 (413) 658-8532 [email protected]
Page 1 of 16
I addition to technical and sales support, conducting several workshops and presentations, attending several trade shows and scientific conferences, I have had the management rule in designing, improving, developing and testing several SEC products. Major items are listed below.
• Workshops and Training Courses.
SEC Dealer Training Workshop, Santa Barbara, CA, 2014. Field Trip, Mesa Vineyard, CA, 2013
• Field Demonstrations and Customer Visits.
Farm Visit, Goleta, CA, 2014. Fruit Growers Lab, Santa Paula, CA, 2014
• Domestic and International Trade Shows and Scientific Conferences.
• Patented Design (US 20130080074 A1). It is possible to automate any type of Infiltrometer and Permeameter by weighing the water reservoir instead of manually reading water level change in it. Then I designed an automated Double-Ring Infiltrometer, an automated Pressure Infiltrometer and an automated Tension Infiltrometer. Soilmoisture Equipment Corp. (SEC) then applied for a more inclusive patent for the idea which was approved on 2014.
• Aardvark Permeameter (Model 2840) Aardvark Permeameter is the first automated permeameter in the world. It was also my first R&D project in SEC. I was the head of Aardvark project. My contributions were in the areas of technical, scientific and market research, designing, manufacturing, performance evaluation, quality control, instructional and promotional documents, videos, sales efforts, demonstrations and training sessions, sales and customer support.
• Aardvark Permeameter Operating Instructions Aardvark Permeameter operating instruction was the first operating instruction I created for SEC.
• Aardvark Elemental (Model 2800BE2) I designed Aardvark Elemental as an affordable version of manual Aardvark Permeameter. It is a great option for educational purposes and where price is a critical factor. Aardvark Elemental is not automated, yet it still has several advantages over other “regular” permeameters.
• Aardvark Permeameter Software Application Operating Instructions. Right after finishing and debugging Aardvark Software Application, I created a comprehensive Operating Instructions for it.
• Guelph Permeameter (revised edition) (Model 2800K1) Operating Instructions. Since Guelph Permeameter Operating Instructions was outdated, I revised it in 2012. Fortunately professor Elrick and Dr. Radcliff (the inventors of Guelph permeameter) were very pleased with the outcome.
• San Andreas Soil Particle Analysis System (Model 0318K1) It is a complete soil particle analysis kit. It is also battery powered and thus portable. The system provides the means for “Sieve Test” used for determining sand content and “Hydrometer Test” for determining the percentage of silt and clay.
• San Andreas Soil Particle Analysis System (Model 0318K1) Operating Instructions. It is actually two Operating Instructions in one document. Soil Texture Determination Instructions is a 2-hour test for determining soil texture in the field; while Soil Particle Analysis method is a 24-hour procedure for creating Soil Particle Distribution Curve. Both procedures are described in a stepwise and easy to understand manner accompanied with several descriptive pictures.
• Pencil Tensiometer (Model 2705) I created Pencil Tensiometer as a small and also economical tensiometer for use in greenhouses, soil columns, soil cores as well as field experiments.
• Pencil Tensiometer Quick Start Guide.
This document was created as a quick reference for setting up and using Pencil Tensiometer. • Ceramic Tension Table System (Model LAB-8, Model LAB-9)
LAB-8 and LAB-9 are ceramic tension tables. They are used for applying water tension to saturated soil samples. I designed them to address the need for a complete tension table system for close-to-saturation tension applications.
LAB-8 (20” dia.) LAB-9 (12” dia.)
• Ceramic Tension Table System: Model LAB-8 and LAB-9 Quick Start Guide. • Sandbox Tension Table System (Model LAB-A and LAB-B)
Sandbox is also a type of tension table, except different types of tension medium (e.g. glass beads and silica flour) are used instead of ceramic plate.
LAB-B (20” dia.) LAB-A (12” dia.)
Pencil Tensiometer used in a Greenhouse Experiment
• Tempe Cell System (Model LAB-5 and Model LAB-6) Tempe Cells are miniature pressure extractors usually used for undisturbed soil cores. I designed and developed a complete system for SEC Tempe Cells. I also improved SEC Tempe Cell Stand and added a built-in manifold to it. This is a great help when several Tepme Cells are connected to a single pressure regulating system.
• Tempe Cell System (Model LAB-5 and Model LAB-6) Quick Start Guide. • Automated Soil Hydraulic Conductivity Measurement System (Laboratory Setup)
The system was made using SEC new products (e.g. new Tempe Cell Stand, Monitor Transducer and Monitor Software Application). The system is scalable up to 20 Soil cores. Readings are stored automatically. The system is designed for Constant-Head and also Falling-Head methods. It was inspired by THE UMS Ksat instrument. My design has several advantages over the UMS system including convenience, cost, scalability, flexibility, durability and reliability.
• Automated Soil Hysteresis System (Laboratory Setup) Hysteresis in soil water retention function is an interesting and also basic phenomenon in soil physics. Conventional Setups are hard to implement and laborious (manual readings for a long time). Using SEC new precession pressure sensor (Monitor Transducer) I designed an automated soil hysteresis system. It is very easy to setup and readings can be made manually or automatically.
LAB-5 Tempe Cell System
Automated Soil Hydraulic Conductivity Measurement System (Falling Head Method)
• Quantifield System Quantifield is a complete soil-water sampling and analysis system. It enables user to collect soil-water samples and analyze them right at the spot. The system has several applications in environmental monitoring projects.
• WaterRight Project
Water right is a comprehensive drought management package specifically designed for golf courses, recreational areas and city parks in California. It consists of sensors and monitoring devices, sample and data analysis tools, components and devices related to irrigation and other management practices, a software application to document all input information, generate helpful reports and support management decisions. The package also includes user training courses. This product is still under preparation.
Promotional Flyer Created for Quantifield System
Drought Fight Comprehensive Drought Management System
• Model 1914 Multi-Depth Soil-Water Sampler Model 1914 sampler was designed as a critical component for Quantifield System. The standard model consists of 6 individual ceramic samplers on a single probe. It is designed for chemical profiling and tracing elements and compounds in soil profile.
• Automated Pressure/Vacuum Pump (Model 2008F1) Soilmoisture electronic pressure/vacuum pump was not automated when I arrived in SEC. On the other hand, there was a pressing need for such instrument since SEC did not have any other automated vacuum source for vacuum Lab Setups. I converted SEC electronic pump (Model 2008) to an automated pressure/vacuum pump (Model 2008F1). This was accomplished with minimum modification to the original product.
Miniature ceramic water sampler was created for small applications (e.g. plant pots and soil columns). It is a very simple and elegant setup. It includes a miniature “zero dead volume” ceramic sampler, a polycarbonate support tube and a 60 cc locking syringe that acts as a vacuum pump and a sampling vial at the same time.
Model 1914 used in Quantifield System
Model 2008F1 Automated Portable Vacuum/ Pressure Pump (-1 to +10 bar)
• Slim Soil-Water Sampler (Model 1905F1) It is a zero dead volume sampler for shallow installations. I modified Model 1905 sampler (which is hard to work with) and convert it to a better sampler. Model 1905F1 has less parts and much easier to use. It does not need a vacuum pump.
Monitor® is SEC’s new pressure / vacuum transducer. It has a digital port (USB) as well as an analog output. A PC software application enables user to view real-time data on PC screen and also log data. I was directly involved in creating the software application. I also tested it and created a Quick Start Guide for it.
• Borehole Prep Kit (Model 0237).
Borehole Prep Kit was designed for Aardvark Permeameter. It has all components needed for boring a hole, shaping and cleaning it.
This Smartphone application is actually a collection of several “Online Calculators” that I created for SEC products. It consists of five separate calculators for Guelph Permeameter, pressure infiltrometer, Tension Infiltrometer, borehole permeameters and capillary rise calculations. The application is a handy tool for students, consultants and soil scientists. It helps them get the final results with no need for going thru the complicated and laborious calculations.
• Trase Term Trase term is developed for SEC MiniTrase device which basically is a TDR (Time-Domain Reflectometer). I was closely involved in the process of developing, testing and debugging the application.
• Aardvark Permeameter Software Application. Aardvark Permeameter software is a Windows application. I was directly involved in the project and provided technical and scientific support to the development team. The software is capable of calculating Field Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity using three calculation methods. I created an MS-Excel calculator to evaluate the software performance. I also tested and debugged the software application after it was developed.
• SimplyData Software Suite
Six different software applications were created for SEC SimplyData Digital USB Scale. It includes Aardvark Permeameter, Soil Texture, Logger Module, List Weighing, Sequential Weighing and Periodic Weighing. The scale can be connected directly to a computer. I provided scientific and technical support needed for creating the software.
• Monitor Software Application Monitor is SEC’s new pressure transducer. The software application enables user to connect up to 20 Monitors to a computer via USB connection. The software also provides data logging features and real-time graphs. I created a comprehensive Operating Instructions for Monitor software.
• Soilmoisture Ceramic Flow Calculator Several users ask how to calculate the flow rates for ceramic pieces with different thicknesses. I created the calculator to facilitate the calculation.
• Pressure Infiltrometer Calculator The calculator is created to perform all the calculations related to pressure infiltrometer. It also can be used for Ring Infiltrometer and Double Ring Infiltrometer.
• Tension Infiltrometer Calculator Tension Infiltrometer has very complicated and laborious calculation method. That is why I created the calculator to help our customers come up with the final results quickly and conveniently.
• Borehole Hydraulic Conductivity Calculator I created this calculator for borehole permeameters. It calculates soil hydraulic conductivity using four different calculation methods. The calculator is a great means for comparing the results from different solutions. It is also a handy tool that performs the laborious calculations.
• Guelph Permeameter Calculator Guelph Permeameter is one of the most famous and popular permeameters in the market. However, performing related calculations has always been a challenge for consultants, students and even scientists. I created Guelph Permeameter Calculator to compliment Guelph permeameter and make life easier for workers in this area. The calculator is created based on Reynolds and Elrik solutions and is capable of performing “single-head”, “double-head” and “average head” methods.
• Silica Sand and Bentonite Clay Calculator Soilmoisture sells considerable amount of Silica Flour and Bentinite Clay every year. The main application is for soil-water sampler installation. It is always hard to guess how much of these products are needed. I created a simple calculator that helps users and also SEC sales agents to calculate the total amount of Silica Flour and Bentinite Clay needed based on order information.
• Soil Particle Analysis Calculations The calculator is an MS-Excel version of the computer application (included in SimplyData Software Suite). It performs complete “Sieve Set” and “hydrometer” analysis. The calculator was used as a basis for creating and testing Soil Particle Analysis Software Application.
• Instructional and Promotional Videos: Creating instructional and promotional videos was my other major contribution to SEC. Instructional videos are important parts of tech support efforts in today’s market. SEC did not have any YouTube Channel and instructional videos by the time I arrived. I therefore, started working with a small team and I managed to create several instructional and promotional videos. Today, SEC has about 30 videos in its YouTube Channel. Also several videos are in process of edition.
• Guelph Assembly Instructional Video It is an instructional video that demonstrates how Guelph permeameter is assembled and used. This video also has a Spanish version.
• Model 1920 Soil-Water Lysimeter Installation and use. Model 1920 is one of the most popular soil-water samplers in the market. The video goes over installation and use of 1920 lysimeter.
• Model 2900 (Quick Draw) Preparation. Using Model 2900 can be tricky. That is why I decided to create an instructional video that demonstrates Model 2900 preparation steps.
• SoilMoisture Soil Color Book The promotional video goes over SEC new soil color book features.
• Model 1725 Tension Table Preparation Preparing Model 1725 Tension Table is a delicate process that has direct impact on its performance. The video goes over the process of preparation.
• Aardvark Permeameter Capabilities. It is a promotional video that goes over Aardvark Permeameter features and applications.
• Aardvark Permeameter Instructional Video An instructional video that demonstrate how to install and use Aardvark Permeameter.
• Aardvark Software Capabilities. A short promotional video that goes over Aardvark software capabilities.
• Tempe Cell System Operation I designed and made a complete Tempe Cell System for SEC products line. This video shows how to assemble and use the system.
• Aardvark Permeameter Software Application This is an instructional video that demonstrates how to use Aardvark Permeameter Software Application.
• SEC Lab Setups (Moisture Retention Characteristics System) A series of 17 short videos were made for SEC Lab Setups. The video series covers several scenarios including undisturbed samples vs. disturbed samples, different extractors and different levels of pressure.
• Calculating Aardvark Permeameter Operational Range: Aardvark Permeameter is developed in SEC as the first automated borehole permeameter. There was a need for measuring accuracy level and also operational range of Aardvark Permeameter. A suitable laboratory setup was designed and several measurements were performed to collect the required data. A mathematical model was created to calculate Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity (K) based on four methods of calculation and due to different scenarios. Measurement Error was calculated using Aardvark Scale accuracy and resolution and also system water loss due to leakage and evaporation.
• Determining Aardvark Permeameter Head Height Repeatability: Aardvark Permeameter establishes a constant head height at the bottom of borehole. Variations in the established head height increases measurement error. A lab setup was designed and used to make it possible to measure head height accurately. The results then analyzed and reported.
• Measuring Soil Moisture Profile Using MiniTrase (TDR technology): Moisture profiling or as we called it “incremental reading” was an interesting project with the goal of using MiniTrase (SEC TDR device) probes to read soil moisture profile by inserting the probe in soil 10-cm-at-a-time. Several different probes in different lengths were used in 6 different levels of dielectric permeability from 1 (air) to 80 (pure water). Tens of readings were made and great results were obtained (in terms of correlation and repeatability). Once finished, it will be the first practical portable moisture profiling system ever introduced.
Aardvark Permeameter Parameters and Error Levels
Aardvark Permeameter Parameter Head Height Repeatability
