Fungal Spore State Discrimination via UV Fluorescence Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and monitoring fungal spores in agriculture are costly, time-consuming, and lack real-time capabilities, making it difficult to effectively identify virulent or sterile spores and monitor fungal infections in vineyards and farms.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a flow of air with a fungal spore directed to a collection cartridge, where the spore is illuminated with visible and ultraviolet light, and images are captured and analyzed to determine its state based on fluorescence, using a highly integrated camera sensor chip package with pixel sensor arrays and digital image processing circuitry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If staining dyes are applied to enhance spore outline visibility, then morphology identification is improved, but cost and time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and utilizes the natural fluorescent properties inherent in fungal spores, eliminating the need for external staining dyes. By illuminating spores with UV light, the spores self-illuminate through their natural fluorescence, providing clear morphological identification without any additional chemical treatment or time-consuming preparation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The spores serve themselves by naturally fluorescing under UV illumination. The spore's own biochemical composition (containing fluorescent compounds) becomes the detection mechanism, eliminating the need for external staining agents. This self-service approach provides both identification and state determination without additional reagents or preparation time.
2Measurement precision
If fluorescent dyes are used for spore detection, then detection capability is improved, but automation and real-time field measurement are hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the requirement for external fluorescent dyes by exploiting the endogenous fluorescent properties of the spores themselves. This extraction of the staining function from external chemicals to intrinsic spore properties enables automated illumination and detection systems to operate without complex dye application mechanisms, facilitating real-time field measurement and automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/chemical process of dye application with a purely optical system. Instead of mechanically applying fluorescent dyes to spores, the system uses UV illumination to excite the spores' natural fluorescence, which is then detected by sensors. This substitution enables automated, contactless, real-time detection suitable for field deployment.
3Measurement precision
If SEM or AFM techniques are used for spore analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and time consumption are excessively increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple, inexpensive optical system using common UV LEDs and standard image sensors instead of expensive SEM or AFM equipment. The approach uses readily available components that can be deployed in the field without requiring complex, costly laboratory instrumentation, making the technology accessible for widespread agricultural use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical scanning systems (SEM, AFM) with a simple optical illumination and imaging system. By using UV light to excite fluorescence and capturing images with a camera sensor, the system achieves spore state identification without requiring the complex mechanical scanning and high-vacuum environments of SEM or AFM, dramatically reducing equipment cost and complexity.
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
This approach enables cost-effective, rapid detection and identification of fungal spore states, facilitating timely mitigation measures and reducing crop losses by providing actionable information for agricultural management.
Implementation Method 1
The fungal spore is illuminated with ultraviolet (UV) light and a second image of the fungal spore is captured while the fungal spore is illuminated with the UV light. A measurement is made of a degree of fluorescence within the outline of the fungal spore.
Data Source
AI summary
Determining a state of a fungal spore includes defining types of fluorescent biomolecules of interest within the spore. Color characteristics of fluorescent light corresponding to excitement of the fluorescent biomolecules of interest under UV light are stored. Air including the fungal spore is directed to a collection cartridge and trapped. The spore is illuminated with light including UV light. A color image of the spore is captured and analyzed to estimate concentrations of the fluorescent biomolecule of interest. The state of the spore is determined from the estimated concentrations.