SoilScanner: Detecting Lead Contamination with Radio Waves

Researchers at Cornell University have developed SoilScanner, a portable device that uses radio frequency signals and machine learning to detect lead contamination in soil. The device sends radio waves through a soil sample and analyzes how the soil affects the signal to determine lead levels. SoilScanner achieved 72% accuracy in testing real soil samples and a zero-error rate for lead levels above 500 ppm. This technology promises to make lead detection cheaper and more accessible, aiding in environmental remediation efforts.