A ONE Dimensional Thermogradient Table with Thin Aluminum Gussets for Plant and SOIL Research.

A one-dimensional thermogradient table can generate a broad range of temperatures across the surface of a metal plate. However, as one moves above the plate, the gradient is rapidly lost so gradient experiments must but conducted on the plate surface or in shallow containers placed on top of the table.  We have created a gradient table with a series of parallel aluminum gussets welded length ways to connect the ends of the table.  The gussets are predicted to maintain a gradient in soil or other growing media so that experiments can be conducted above the table surface with minimal temperature fluctuations.   Gussets are spaced so that traditional Petri dish experiments can be conducted on the plate surface when maintaining constant temperatures vertically is not required.  Temperature data logged in soil on a gusset and traditional flat table will be compared to test the efficacy of the design for maintaining constant temperatures above the table surface.