Research Programme

Build on the plant-state research foundation. Full phytosensing access for plant science and agronomy teams.

Syntheflora provides university and institutional research teams with access to the phytosensing hardware suite, raw data export, AI interpretation, agentic-control research workflows, Python/API workflows, and CYBRES technical support at near-cost pricing. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

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Programme access

What the programme provides.

Hardware access

The Syntheflora phytosensing suite built on CYBRES hardware and methodology. Configurations are available for adult plants, soil-based cultivation, young plants, soil-free or hydroponic systems, and research-specific experimental setups.

Raw data access

Complete export of active physiological, environmental, and synthetic channels. Research teams can work from raw signals, AI-interpreted outputs, or both.

AI interpretation

Gemini or approved AI interpretation alongside raw data access. AI output adds a real-time interpretive layer for stress detection, water response, nutrition, phenotyping, micro-trials, alerts, and reporting without replacing the underlying data.

Python / API workflows

Python/API and structured data workflows for time-series analysis, machine learning, biophysical modelling, trial analysis, and external data pipelines.

CYBRES technical support

Support for experimental design, sensor configuration, calibration, data interpretation questions, and correct instrument citation.

Publication support

CYBRES can review methodology sections to ensure accurate instrument description and citation. Academic independence remains with the research team.

Pricing

Near-cost. Specific pricing is confirmed through the application process based on configuration, duration, and institutional context.

Technical access

Data access: Complete raw data export across all active channels in structured ASCII format, with sensor readings, environmental parameters, and synthetic EIS channel outputs included.
Python integration: Python API via named pipe mechanism on Windows. Linux and embedded integration supported via ASCII data stream from COM port.
Channel access: Up to 80 total channels: up to 45 biological sensor channels and up to 35 synthetic EIS channels.
Sampling rate: Configurable from 1–99 seconds per cycle, set in init.ini without firmware modification.
Actuation: Full actuation suite: 3× 220V/110V relay outputs and 3× 12V PWM driver outputs for biofeedback experiment design.
EIS statistics package: Synthetic channels for advanced electrochemical noise analysis, stimulus classification, and biopotential research applications.

Instrument citation for methods sections Syntheflora phytosensing system (CYBRES GmbH, Research Center of Advanced Robotics and Environmental Science, Stuttgart, Germany).

Research fit

Research areas the instrument supports.

The following applications have produced published results or are actively supported using the CYBRES phytosensing hardware. They are listed not as a constraint on what the programme supports, but as a signal of what the instrument has already demonstrated it can do.

Research area	Relevant Syntheflora capability
Plant electrophysiology	Biopotentials, tissue impedance, stimulus classification
Closed-loop phytoactuation	Biofeedback control, actuation outputs, threshold logic
Water use efficiency	Sap flow, transpiration, root uptake, impedance
Nutrient-use efficiency and fertigation	EIS, EC/pH context, ion-selective modules where configured, plant uptake response
Controlled-environment agriculture	Light, CO₂, HVAC, circadian and photosynthetic response
Propagation and transplant readiness	Young plants, cuttings, clones, root establishment, uniformity, tissue-culture acclimatization
Phenotyping	Biomass, root dynamics, stress response, treatment comparison
Environmental biosensing	Ozone/stress response, sentinel monitoring, biological detection
Rhizosphere and root systems	Root biomass, irrigation uptake, root-zone dynamics
Regulated botanical research	Batch consistency, stress exposure, compound-linked physiology
Agricultural AI	Dense time-series datasets for ML, forecasting, classification, decision support, and agentic control
AI agronomy agents	Research on specialized agents for stress, water, nutrition, phenotyping, micro-trials, alerts, and reporting

Published foundation

Researchers joining the programme build on documented CYBRES work.

01
Biofeedback-Based Closed-Loop Phytoactuation in Vertical Farming and Controlled-Environment Agriculture Kernbach, S. Biomimetics 2024, 9, 640. doi:10.3390/biomimetics9100640
02
Stimulus Classification with Electrical Potential and Impedance of Living Plants Buss, E. et al. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics 18 (2023) 025003. DOI to confirm before publishing.
03
In-situ Biological Ozone Detection by Measuring Electrochemical Impedances of Plant Tissues Kernbach, S. arXiv:2411.16321. Publication status to confirm.
04
Using Phytosensors in Precision Agriculture, Vertical Farms, Hydroponics and Agricultural AI Applications Kernbach, S. CYBRES Application Note 28, v0.6, July 2024.

The exchange

This is a mutual investment.

The programme exists to expand the evidence base for plant-state intelligence. Syntheflora provides research access because published findings, citations, and independent deployments strengthen the scientific foundation of the technology.

What Syntheflora asks is straightforward:

Attribute CYBRES GmbH as the instrument source where appropriate.
Use accurate methodology language in publications.
Discuss co-authorship with CYBRES only where there is a substantive scientific contribution.
Do not share data publicly on Syntheflora's behalf unless explicitly agreed.

There is no requirement to produce specific outcomes, publish within a specific timeframe, or share unpublished data before the research team chooses to do so.

Application

Apply for the Research Programme.

Complete the fields below. Applications are reviewed in the order received.

What happens next

Your application is reviewed by the Syntheflora and CYBRES team. We respond with programme details, configuration questions, pricing for your research context, and any technical clarifications needed before deployment.

For questions before applying, email info@syntheflora.com with the subject line "Research Programme Enquiry."

Personal details

First name* Last name*

Title Email address*

Phone number

Institutional details

Institution* Department or faculty*

Country* City*

Role* Principal Investigator name (if different)

Research details

Research area* Plant species*

Sensor configuration of interest* Deployment duration

Primary data analysis approach Will the work involve actuation or closed-loop control?

Describe your intended research application*

Publication and funding

Do you intend to publish?* Funding status

Funding body or programme Timeline or deadline

Final How did you hear about the programme? Additional context I have read and accept the Privacy Policy.* I understand that programme pricing is confirmed through the application process.*

Methods section reference

Instrument reference for methods.

Syntheflora phytosensing system, CYBRES GmbH, Research Center of Advanced Robotics and Environmental Science, Melunerstr. 40, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.

CYBRES Application Note 28 — Using Phytosensors in Precision Agriculture, Vertical Farms, Hydroponics and Agricultural AI Applications, Kernbach, S. CYBRES GmbH, 2024.

Kernbach, S. "Biofeedback-Based Closed-Loop Phytoactuation in Vertical Farming and Controlled-Environment Agriculture." Biomimetics 2024, 9, 640. doi:10.3390/biomimetics9100640

For papers using the stimulus classification methodology: Buss, E. et al. "Stimulus Classification with Electrical Potential and Impedance of Living Plants." Bioinspiration & Biomimetics 18 (2023) 025003.