Technological innovation for environmental monitoring

The context 

Environmental monitoring is undergoing a phase of rapid evolution, driven by the growing need to manage natural resources sustainably and mitigate risks linked to climate change. In the specific field of water-resource usage, modern agriculture requires increasingly precise irrigation systems to reduce waste, while public administrations need advanced tools to prevent landslides and to map leaks within water distribution networks. In this context, emerging technologies such as Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensing (CRNS) represent an innovative frontier, enabling large-scale, non-invasive measurements with unprecedented precision.

The Client and its need 

Finapp S.p.A. stands out in the technological landscape as a company specializing in the development of innovative solutions for environmental monitoring. The company has built its expertise on cutting-edge technologies for the collection and analysis of environmental data, with a particular focus on smart water-resource management and proactive hydrogeological risk prevention through non-invasive detection systems. Finapp required a state-of-the-art technological solution for large-scale, non-invasive environmental monitoring. The goal was to develop devices capable of measuring soil and snow moisture in real time using an innovative technology based on cosmic rays (CRNS — Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensing).

The solutions

The collaboration with FAE Technology resulted in a sophisticated electronic system that transforms the principles of cosmic-ray physics into a practical and reliable solution. The heart of the project was the complete development of the electronic boards, from engineering through production, creating probes capable of detecting the interaction between cosmic-ray neutrons and water molecules in the soil for precise, real-time measurements.

Performance and results

Operational Impact 

• 24/7 continuous monitoring with real-time transmission 
• Extended geographic coverage enabled by non-invasive detection
• Configurable data-logging intervals, from 1 minute to 24 hours depending on application needs 
• Autonomous backup guaranteed for more than 30 days without solar recharging 

Benefits for application sectors

• Precision irrigation: optimized water usage with waste reduction 
• Water-resource management: mapping of leaks in urban distribution networks 
• Hydrogeological-risk prevention: early-warning systems for landslides and soil instability 
• Scientific research: large-scale climatic and environmental studies.

The partnership with FAE Technology transformed an advanced scientific vision into an operational technological reality, creating an innovative tool for sustainable environmental-resource management on a global scale.