To find out the electrical conductivity of the ground, an electric current must be fed into it. Normally, steel spikes are used for this, which are simply stuck into the ground. But what if this is not possible, e.g. because there is bare rock on the surface or because the ground is frozen? IGEP researchers Johannes Buckel, Matthias Bücker, Andreas Hördt and Jan Mudler have come up with a solution: electrically conductive textile. This clings to uneven surfaces and makes good contact with the ground. The electricity can utilise the entire surface of the textile; there is no need to plug it into the floor. This method also has advantages when measurements are to be taken in difficult terrain: the textile electrodes are significantly lighter than steel spikes and are easier to transport.
The invention has now been patented by the German Patent and Trade Mark Office and is registered under the number 10 2021 110 721.