Plant Gas Exchange Chamber With Stem Seal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas exchange measurement devices for plants suffer from contamination between chambers due to CO2 and H2O diffusion, require destructive plant handling, and are time-consuming, limiting simultaneous measurements of the crown and root systems.
Innovation Solution
A device with fluidically isolated first and second chambers, using a deformable polymer element and pusher mechanism to seal the plant stem passage, allowing non-destructive measurement of gas exchanges without contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If chambers are communicating to allow plant stem passage, then plant can be housed in device, but gas exchange contamination occurs between chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The device divides the internal space into separate first and second chambers that are fluidically isolated from each other, allowing independent measurement of gas exchanges in root and crown portions without cross-contamination while maintaining the ability to house the complete plant
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sealants or perforated surfaces are used to isolate chambers, then gas contamination is reduced, but plant stem growth causes sealant breakage or limits plant development
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs a flexible membrane as a separation element between chambers that can accommodate plant stem growth while maintaining fluidic isolation. The membrane's flexibility allows it to deform around the stem without breaking, ensuring continuous seal integrity throughout the measurement period
3Object-affected harmful factors
If one chamber is pressurized to counteract gas entry, then measurement of that chamber is possible, but only one measurement can be performed at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The device creates separate fluidically isolated chambers that allow simultaneous independent measurements in both root and crown portions without requiring sequential pressurization, thereby doubling the measurement throughput while maintaining effective gas leakage prevention in each chamber
4Object-affected harmful factors
If plant must grow to close fluid communication, then chamber isolation is achieved, but measurement time is delayed and plant development is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device pre-establishes fluidic isolation between chambers using flexible membranes or separable body designs before plant growth begins, eliminating the waiting period required for plants to naturally close gaps and allowing immediate commencement of measurements without delaying the measurement schedule
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
Enables simultaneous, non-destructive measurement of gas exchanges between plant roots and crown without contamination, facilitating precise quantification of carbon and water flows.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic deformation property of the polymeric element is exploited to interrupt the fluid communication between the first and second chambers, in particular it is deformed in use to close the longitudinal hole of the polymeric element
Data Source
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AI summary
Device for measuring gas exchange in a plant comprising a container, a closing element releasably engaged on the container so as to fluidically isolate such container from the external environment, a first and a second hollow body housed in the container and rigidly connected to each other in a releasable manner defining a first chamber, and the space in the container around the first and the second hollow body defining a second chamber, and said first and second body being further shaped so as to have respectively a first and a second recessed portion in use facing defining a cavity, and the first chamber being accessible from the second chamber via such cavity, and one of the first and second chambers being fluidically connectable at the inlet and outlet respectively to a delivery line and a gas evacuation line to define a controlled atmosphere in the device when the closing element is in operation, a fluidic seal interposed between the first and the second hollow body, an elastically deformable polymeric element releasably engaged in the cavity, and comprising a longitudinal hole defining a passage for the stem of a plant having roots in the first chamber and the crown in the second chamber, a pusher engaged in the cavity on the side of the second chamber in a movable manner to the translation between a first position in which it is moved towards the first chamber causing a deformation of the polymeric element and the closure of the passage, and a second position in which such pusher is moved towards the second chamber so as to release the polymeric element and cause the opening of the passage.