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Eric Schmid

Latest Stories (5)

The precision agriculture revolution is coming, just slowly

Jul 4, 2024
Since the 1990s, precision agriculture has promised to revolutionize farming, by giving growers granular information about what’s happening with the crops in their fields and new technology to actually put that data to good use. But the new developments in precision ag have yet to fully transform farming.
Electrical engineer Cody Hyman prepares for a test of Impossible Sensing’s prototype soil sensor. The machine is designed to be mounted to the back of a planter and can measure soil composition in real time using a powerful laser.
Eric Schmid/STLPR

With tech hiring sluggish, how can cities become tech hubs?

Jun 13, 2024
Cities like St. Louis are looking for ways to expand their tech workforces to take advantage of the industry's growth prospects.
Christian Johnson leads a discussion among entrepreneurs at the Founders Lounge in St. Louis. The weekly forum helps startup founders connect and share ideas.
Eric Schmid

Is shipping goods by barge good for the environment?

Sep 18, 2023
Barges can move cargo with less fuel than a truck or train. But environmental experts are skeptical of emissions calculations.
A 15-barge tow approaches a lock and dam complex near Granite City, Illinois. Environmentalists say the carbon emissions generated by transit through locks and dams need to be better understood.
Eric Schmid/STLPR

Salmonella testing can be a slow process. These researchers want to change that.

Aug 29, 2023
A research team from multiple universities is developing technology that can detect salmonella contamination in a matter of minutes. They aim to take the results from sensors and pair them with other data to strengthen the safety and resilience of the supply of chicken.
University of Missouri Ph.D. student Mai Abuhelwa demonstrates how one of the new sensors detects salmonella contamination on July 28, 2023. This sensor uses a laser and fiber optic cables to sense small concentrations of the bacteria.
Eric Schmid/Harvest Public Media

As Mississippi Riverfront development booms, wetlands become crucial to stave off flooding

Jun 20, 2023
Many cities along the Mississippi are redeveloping their riverfronts. But these projects are often threatened by flooding.
Mike Sertle, who manages wetlands restoration projects on the Mississippi River for Ducks Unlimited, motions how high the water can get in a roughly 250-acre restored wetland behind him in Southern Illinois on May 24.
Eric Schmid/St. Louis Public Radio