Oro blu e raggi cosmici: creare sostenibilità misurando l’invisibile | Luca Stevanato | TEDxPadova

Water Resource Management & Agriculture - FAO warned over a decade ago that optimizing water use, especially in agriculture where over 70% of human water consumption occurs, is crucial to ensure food production for 10 billion people by 2050 [1] - The company's technology helps farmers use less water while increasing crop yields [7] - In Veneto, Italy, if the technology were universally adopted, approximately 120 million cubic meters of water could be saved each summer, equivalent to the city of Padua's water usage over 5 years [14] Technology & Innovation - A research group in the US and the University of Padua discovered elements to solve the problem of managing unseen underground water 15 years ago [2] - The technology utilizes cosmic rays, specifically neutrons, to measure soil moisture; neutrons are absorbed by hydrogen in water, allowing the device to indirectly measure water content [8][10][11] - The device, resembling a ping pong paddle, measures water content in an area of over 5 acres (approximately 250 meters in diameter) up to 50 cm deep when installed 2 meters above ground [12][13] Environmental Impact & Sustainability - The technology aids in identifying water leaks in cities without excavation, facilitating faster repairs and infrastructure investment planning [8][14] - The company measures Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) to help governments and organizations manage water resources, deciding when to store or release water in lakes and rivers [15][16] - Nuclear physics research from 15 years ago has become the foundation for a sustainability solution, preserving water resources [17]