Automated Plant Tissue Sampler with Laser Cutter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current plant tissue sampling processes are time-consuming and prone to errors due to their manual nature, especially when dealing with large sample sizes, and often require manual handling which can damage the plants.
Innovation Solution
An automated system for plant tissue sampling that includes a plant handler, imager, sampler, and collection vessel, where the imager identifies a suitable sampling location based on plant size, shape, or color, and a sampler, such as a laser cutter, removes a tissue sample while the plant handler transports and secures the plant, with the collection vessel associating the sample with the plant's identifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual tissue sampling is used, then flexibility in handling plants is maintained, but time consumption increases and error rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the imager automatically identifies sampling locations based on plant characteristics, the sampler automatically extracts tissue samples, and the collection vessel automatically associates samples with plant identifiers, eliminating manual intervention in the sampling process itself
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical handling is replaced with an automated system comprising an imager for visual identification, a sampler for automated tissue extraction, and a collection vessel for automated sample storage and association, substituting human operators with automated machinery
2Reliability
If manual handling is used for sampling, then adaptability to different plant types is maintained, but damage to plants occurs and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The imager provides feedback about plant characteristics (size, shape, color) to the sampling system, enabling automatic determination of optimal sampling locations and ensuring high-quality samples are obtained consistently across different plant types without time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters automatically based on detected plant characteristics, adjusting sampling location and parameters according to the specific plant type and its visual properties, thereby maintaining sample quality while reducing time consumption
3Productivity
If automated sampling is implemented, then sampling speed increases, but initial system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated sampling system is segmented into distinct functional modules: an imager module for plant characterization, a sampling module for tissue extraction, and a collection module for sample storage and association, making the complex system manageable and easier to implement
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves multi-functionality by integrating identification, sampling, and collection operations into a single automated workflow, where one system performs multiple functions that would otherwise require separate manual processes, thereby increasing throughput without proportionally increasing 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
The system enables high-throughput, accurate, and efficient sampling of plant tissue with reduced error rates, allowing for continued cultivation of the sampled plants and improved consistency and accuracy in sample association, capable of processing multiple samples quickly while maintaining sample quality.
Implementation Method 1
an imager configured to image a plant moved by the plant handler to identify a sampling location
Implementation Method 2
the sampler includes a laser cutter
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic plant tissue sampler and a method for operating the same are provided. The sampler can include a plant handler configured to transport a plurality of plants to an imager. The imager may be configured to image plants to identify a sampling location. The automatic plant tissue sampler also includes a sampler configured to remove a tissue sample from the sampling location of plants, and a collection vessel configured to receive the tissue samples. The automatic plant tissue sampler may transport a plurality of plants to an imager and images the plurality of plants to identify a sampling location. The automatic plant tissue sampler can remove a tissue sample from the sampling location of the plurality of plants and store the tissue samples in a collection vessel for testing.