Plant Cultivation Light Source With Timed Wavelength Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light sources for plant cultivation primarily focus on photosynthesis and lack the ability to enhance the content of active ingredients such as chlorophylls, flavonoids, anthocyanins, chlorogenic acids, and sesquiterpene lactones in plants, which are beneficial for human health.
Innovation Solution
A light source system comprising a first light source emitting visible light and a second light source emitting ultraviolet light, controlled by a controller to provide specific light patterns that increase the content of active ingredients in plants, utilizing semiconductor layers and active layers to emit light with precise wavelengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional light sources (incandescent lamps and fluorescent lamps) are used for plant cultivation, then photosynthesis is supported, but the content of active ingredients (chlorophylls, flavonoids, anthocyanins, chlorogenic acids, sesquiterpene lactones) in plants is not enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is segmented into multiple LED modules, each emitting light at specific wavelengths (blue, red, green, yellow-green). This segmentation allows independent control of each wavelength component to selectively enhance specific active ingredients while maintaining overall photosynthesis support.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum are targeted with specific qualities - blue light for flavonoid synthesis, red light for chlorophyll, green light for general growth, and yellow-green light for anthocyanin enhancement. This local quality approach enables precise modulation of plant metabolism to increase active ingredient content.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional light sources are used, then plant growth is maintained, but additional functions (enhancing specific active ingredients) are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The LED-based light source system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it supports photosynthesis, enhances specific active ingredients (chlorophylls, flavonoids, anthocyanins, chlorogenic acids, sesquiterpene lactones), and allows flexible spectral adjustment. This multi-functionality is achieved through the universal capability of LEDs to emit at various wavelengths with high efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source incorporates dynamic control capabilities through a controller that can adjust the intensity and spectral composition of light in real-time based on plant growth stage and desired active ingredient enhancement. This dynamic adjustment enables the same hardware to serve different cultivation objectives without physical reconfiguration.
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 system effectively enhances the content of active ingredients in plants while maintaining their inherent color, improving marketability and nutritional value, particularly in Asteraceae family plants like red leaf lettuce, by alternating light periods with different wavelengths.
Implementation Method 1
The active layer is disposed on the first semiconductor layer to emit a light having a specific wavelength due to a band gap difference in an energy band depending on a material used to form the active layer
Data Source
AI summary
A light source can include at least one light emitter and is configured to emit a first light during a region of a light period and emit both the first light and a second light of a different wavelength during a remaining region of the light period. The emitter can include semiconductor layers and an active layer configured to emit light having a specific wavelength due to a band gap difference in an energy band depending on a material used to form the active layer. A plant cultivation device can include the light source and a main body in which a plant can be grown. The light period can be configured to increase a content of an active ingredient in the plant. The first light can have a longer peak wavelength than a peak wavelength of the second light.