Scientific measurements’ technologies 3

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The Tree-to-the-network (T2N) technology, which has been developed by O. Kisseleva in collaboration with the INRA and the Sorbonne University, enables the artist to receive, register, and decode the constant stream of information emitted by the trees. Under Kisseleva's direction, the Laboratory has developed a series of sensors which can register the various types of messages generated by the plants and transform them into electric signals. The scientists have also created a system of electronic processing for these data. The information analysis enables us to visualize the link between the biorhythms of the plants and the environment. In our age of artificial intelligence, this is an attempt to introduce an intelligent biological rhythm into the structure of the machine, instead of forcing a machine-generated rhythm upon living organisms.

This data exchange is made possible by the installation of one or several types of sensors, which receive the communication vectors of the plant, upon each tree. Approximately 15 types of sensors, are used in EDEN project: an ethylene sensor, a temperature-measuring sensor, sensor monitoring hydrometrical and electromagnetic data, sensors which monitor the measurements of sound communication, the circulation of fluids in the tree trunk, the incoming electric signals, impulses, pressures, waves, shrinkages, hydration, gas emissions, the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves, wind resistance, and other parameters...

The sensors supply data about both the tree and its environment. In addition to that, the trees are equipped with a cellular wireless modem, which serves as the first link in a chain that can transmit the tree's message to the network by means of the T2N technology.

The measurements used in the “Listening to the Rift Valley” projects are attuned to the nature of the trees of the Rift Valley. Olga Kisseleva and James Muriuki met with Kenayn botanists Dr. Sammy Carsan and Dr. Paul Musili to discuss the characteristics of baobabs and the mugumu trees. Paleobotanist Dr. Rahab Kinyanjui shared her insights into what is known about the petrified trees of the Turkana Basin. These conversations informed approaches chosen for the measurements.

In communication with the petrified tree electrical resistivity tomography has been used. This method gives information on the tree interior and its integrity. To this end, the operating system measures the electrical resistivity of the wood. Its chemical composition, moisture content, and cell structure all influence its electrical resistivity. Despite the age of the tree scientists detected changes in membrane polarization in the cells of the transitional zone, and in other tissues.

The exuberant coastal baobabs were measured on a greater spectrum of parameters. Sensors were fixed in a non-traumatising way to monitor noise measurements, circulation of fluids within the tree trunk, electric signals, impulses and pressure, electromagnetic waves, shrinkages, hydration, gas emissions, the amount of chlorophyll in the leaves, wind resistance, and many other characteristics.

In nature all these vital signs allow the tree to communicate with other trees, birds and plants, i.e. with the environment as a whole. Transcoded by scientists, these data allow them to judge the health of the tree and the strategies it adopts for survival. Interpretation by the artist, allows the spectators to learn about the languages of nature.