AgriTwin: Real-Time Digital Twin Framework for Climate-Smart Farming (Faculty/Junior Researcher Collaboration Opportunity)

AgriTwin: Real-Time Digital Twin Framework for Climate-Smart Farming

PI: Dhananjay Singh (IST)

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AgriTwin is a scalable, AI-enabled Digital Twin platform designed to support emission sustainability in agriculture. An industry responsible for over a quarter of global GHG emissions, yet among the least digitized. This project integrates IoT air quality sensors, an AgriTwin-based data platform, and AIenhanced modeling (including CHIMERE-WRF simulations and Monte Carlo analysis) to estimate methane (CH₄) and ammonia (NH₃) emissions from fertilizer use and crop residue burning. By generating real-time, hyperlocal emission data and combining it with 3D interactive visualizations developed with MetaWorldX, AgriTwin enables farmers and policymakers to simulate and evaluate sustainable land-use scenarios. The project brings together key partnerships: Penn State (Academia) engages researchers and students in research, entrepreneurship, and innovative applications, while MetaWorldX & Libelium (Industry) contribute expertise in environmental technologies, IoT, and digital twin systems to advance sustainable agricultural practices. Open-source architecture promotes extensibility and community adoption, aiming to accelerate data-driven climate resilience through interdisciplinary collaboration across AI, Digital Twins, and agricultural science.

Desired Skills/Expertise:

Machine learning for time series analysis, environmental sensor data processing, AI-based simulation modeling, data visualization (3D), and knowledge of AgriTwin-based IoT data platforms.

Other Requirements or Expectations:

Availability for weekly meetings; post-comps graduate student status; experience or interest in Digital Twin, emissions modeling, or agricultural analytics.

Specific Objectives:

• Deploying IoT sensors in experimental crop fields

• Build a FIWARE-based data platform

• Model emission discrepancies using AI

• Develop a 3D visualization tool

• Publish results in open-source repositories

• Disseminate outcomes via ICDS and academic forums

Medium/Long-Term Goal:

Submit a competitive proposal for the USDA/NIFA and NSF Smart Agriculture Program in 2026.

Connection to ICDS Mission:

This project advances the ICDS mission by leveraging Digital Twin technologies to address agricultural emissions, a critical challenge in sustainability and global food systems.

Engagement with ICDS:

This project will actively participate in ICDS activities, including talks, symposia, and collaborative forums.