Using Compression test

The Problem

As the challenge conservation x states, two newly discovered invasive fungal pathogens are killing hundreds of thousands of ʻŌhiʻa trees (Metrosideros polymorpha) on Hawaii Island. The reason is the ROD fungus is an invisible killer, many ʻŌhiʻa trees are found in remote sites or challenging terrain and being able to reach such sites is difficult. The ROD fungus chocks the Ohi'a tree until it dies out of water. That means infected Ohi'a tree's body luck water, unlike the healthy one. This can be used as the detection of the ROD fungus in the Ohi'a trees.

Our Proposal

Analysis of the collected test results suggests that the moisture content in materials does have a significant effect on the compression strength of materials, but has a much lesser effect on the split tensile strength. That means if you measure the same material with lower water content and higher content, the result reading will show the difference in their compression. In our case, the lower water content is when the Ohi'a tree is infected with the ROD fungus and higher or standard water content means the Ohi'a tree which is healthy ones. By doing compression strength statistics of the standard alive and well Ohi'a tree throughout the seasons, we can get our comparing compression strengths reference. Then when we conduct the test which is by using the compression device and difference occurs we have our sign. The device for the compression is very simple which is a handheld structure powered by a battery motor that squeezes the tree and does not have much weight. Note that, the first test is comparing the compression strength between the infected Ohi'a tree and the healthy ones. Then we can use the device in the field to detect the ROD fungus on a live tree.

We Assume that...

I am assuming that conducting this test on a live tree is safe.

Constraints to Overcome

The current method of detection of the ROD fungi involves sample collection over challenging and rugged terrain and then lab analysis. This takes too much time and effort and then after the analysis, the ROD fungus might not be found. This project solves these problems because it tells us from which tree to take samples, which tree needs supervision and possible diagnosis of the tree before the lab report. Meaning, a tree which has lower compression strength or a tree that compress easily is likely exposed to the ROD fungi. This indication can speed up the detection of the ROD fungus. the total average cost per tree is 57.00 USD. If we test 100 trees to collect samples from all the 100 trees and test it in the lab, the total average cost per 100 trees becomes 5,700.00 USD. Keep in mind that the lab test may show that 1 tree have ROD fungi if not any. This project tells us from which tree to take samples saving about 5,640.00 USD at best in this scenario.

Current Work

This solution is very tangible and realistic because it connects two known and proved science facts together in a very simple way. According to references like I mentioned above, moisture content in materials does have a significant effect on the compression strength of wood. It is a known fact that compression testing device is used to measure the compression strength of any material. So, combining those will create a new method to prevent the ROD fungus enters into the tree. At this moment there is no indication that solution has any negative impact on the tree but this needed to be proved by experiment if compression test does not affect the live tree. The solution can be used at any time the client wishes to use or test because there are many options for compression testing devices on the market. All required is building modification and test on live infected Ohi’a tree carefully and healthy tree. If there is compression strength difference, we have our successful prototype.

Current Needs

I need funding to build the prototype and test the theory.