Chlorophyll Meter Multi-Wavelength Species Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current chlorophyll meters provide relative, non-linear measurements that do not accurately reflect absolute chlorophyll concentration, leading to inconsistencies across different species and studies due to variations in extraction methods, solvents, and spectrophotometric equations, making it difficult to determine actual chlorophyll content.
Innovation Solution
A chlorophyll meter that emits light at multiple wavelengths, detects transmitted light, and uses a processor to generate chlorophyll content output based on a matched combination of extraction method, solvent, and spectrophotometric equation, providing a plurality of optical/absolute relationships for different species, allowing users to select the appropriate relationship for accurate measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If non-destructive optical techniques are used to measure chlorophyll, then the measurement process is non-invasive and rapid, but the measurement precision varies widely among species due to non-uniform chlorophyll distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using multiple wavelengths of light (red at 650nm and blue at 450nm) instead of a single wavelength. This allows the system to capture different aspects of chlorophyll absorption characteristics, improving the accuracy of chlorophyll concentration measurements across different species while maintaining rapid non-destructive measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal measurement system that can accurately measure chlorophyll across multiple plant species by incorporating species-specific calibration factors. The device maintains multi-functionality by being applicable to various plant types while achieving consistent measurement precision through the combination of multi-wavelength detection and species-specific optimization.
2Ease of operation
If commercially available chlorophyll meters are used, then the device is portable and easy to operate, but the output values are device-specific and do not provide absolute chlorophyll concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by comparing the optical measurements at multiple wavelengths against species-specific calibration data and optical/absolute relationships. This feedback mechanism allows the device to convert relative optical signals into absolute chlorophyll concentration values, providing meaningful quantitative information while maintaining the portability and ease of operation of handheld devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses species-specific optical/absolute relationships as an intermediary between the optical measurement and the final chlorophyll concentration value. This intermediary layer translates device-specific optical readings into universally meaningful absolute concentration values, eliminating the loss of information while preserving the ease of use of portable devices.
3Measurement precision
If chlorophyll extraction and in vitro spectrophotometer measurement are used, then the absolute chlorophyll concentration can be accurately determined, but the process is destructive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical extraction process with an optical measurement system. Instead of physically extracting chlorophyll using solvents and measuring it in a spectrophotometer, the device uses light transmission measurements at specific wavelengths to directly determine chlorophyll concentration, eliminating the destructive and time-consuming extraction process while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining species-specific optical/absolute relationships and calibration factors before field measurements. This preliminary calibration work allows the portable device to provide accurate absolute chlorophyll concentration readings immediately during field use, eliminating the need for time-consuming extraction and laboratory analysis while maintaining productivity benefits.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables more accurate and consistent determination of chlorophyll content across various species, providing measurements in units of chlorophyll concentration, thereby improving the precision and reliability of chlorophyll measurements.
Implementation Method 1
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in plant cells, algae cells, and cyanobacteria. The primary function of chlorophyll molecules is radiation absorption, which provides energy for photosynthesis.
Implementation Method 2
The processor is configured to generate a chlorophyll content output based on an optical/absolute relationship that relates light transmission at different wavelengths to chlorophyll concentration
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and apparatus for determining chlorophyll content of a plant sample. The method includes emitting light at a first wavelength and a second wavelength into a plant sample with a chlorophyll meter; detecting the light after passing through the plant sample; generating an optical value responsive to a ratio of the percentage of transmitted light through the plant sample for the first wavelength and the second wavelength; and determining chlorophyll content based on the optical value compared with an optical/absolute chlorophyll relationship that was determined by a matched combination of extraction method, extraction solvent, spectrophotometric equation, and spectrophotometer resolution, wherein the optical/absolute relationship is one of a plurality of different optical/absolute relationships that a user may select from for different species. These relationships may link in situ optical measurements with in vitro chlorophyll concentration for display on a chlorophyll meter in units of mass or moles of chlorophyll per unit area or mass of tissue.