Far-Red Horticulture Lighting Using Terrylene Diimide Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horticultural lighting systems lack essential wavelengths in the range from 680 to 900 nm, which are crucial for steering plant growth and development responses, and existing methods using terrylene diimide compounds have not been applied for plant irradiation.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a color converter comprising a terrylene diimide compound in a polymeric matrix material to convert light spectra to include higher intensities in the 680 to 900 nm range, tailored to match the absorption spectrum of phytochromes, enhancing plant growth and development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional horticultural lighting systems are used, then basic photosynthesis is supported, but essential far-red wavelengths (680-900 nm) are missing, leading to suboptimal plant growth and extended production cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spectral parameters of the light source by incorporating a color converter with terrylene diimide compound that converts blue LED light (430-480 nm) into far-red light (680-900 nm). This parameter change in the light emission spectrum directly addresses the missing far-red wavelengths while maintaining high productivity through enhanced photomorphogenetic responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The color converter containing terrylene diimide compound acts as an intermediary between the blue LED light source and the plant. It mediates the transformation of blue light into far-red light, enabling the delivery of essential far-red wavelengths that would otherwise be absent from conventional LED horticultural lighting systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light sources with complete spectrum coverage are used, then all plant needs are met, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The blue LED combined with the terrylene diimide color converter serves multiple functions: it provides blue light for photosynthesis and simultaneously generates far-red light for photomorphogenetic control. This multi-functionality achieves broad spectral coverage (430-900 nm) while avoiding the complexity of using multiple separate light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material system consisting of the terrylene diimide compound embedded in a polymer matrix to create the color converter. This composite structure enables efficient wavelength conversion while maintaining system simplicity, as the entire spectral transformation function is contained within a single integrated component rather than multiple separate devices.
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 method accelerates plant growth, modifies flowering periods, and improves the quality and quantity of crops by providing favorable emission spectra adapted to far-red absorbing phytochromes.
Implementation Method 1
converting light comprising a wavelength of 300 to 900 nm to light comprising a wavelength of 680 to 900 nm by means of a color converter comprising a terrylene dimide compound
Implementation Method 2
Light having wavelengths in the red (570 to less than 680 nm) and in the far-red (680 to 900 nm) part of the electromagnetic spectrum is effective in inducing a photomorphogenetic and photoperiodic response in plants. The Pr form has a peak absorption at about 660 nm, the Pfr form of phytochrome has a peak absorption at about 730 nm
Implementation Method 3
Photosynthesis means the conversion of light energy into chemical energy
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a plant cultivation method for modifying at least one agricultural property of a cultivated plant where the agricultural property is susceptible to modification by irradiating at least part of the plant with light comprising the steps of (a) providing at least one light source emitting a first spectrum comprising a wavelength of 300 to 900 nm; (b) subjecting said first spectrum to a partial or full conversion to obtain a second spectrum comprising a wavelength of 680 to 900 nm by means of at least one color converter wherein the obtained second spectrum has higher intensities of light at wavelengths of 680 to 900 nm compared to the first spectrum; and (c) irradiating at least part of the cultivated plant with the second spectrum obtained in step (b); wherein the at least one color converter comprises in a polymeric matrix material at least one terrylene diimide compound of formula (I) wherein the variables are as defined in the claims and the description. The present invention also relates to the use of said terrylene diimide compound of formula (I) in a color converter for providing horticulture light comprising a wavelength in the range from 680 to 900 nm.