Pollen Separation via Liquid Blending and Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for quantifying pollen production in plants are inefficient, inaccurate, and time-consuming due to the microscopic size and light weight of pollen, which makes it difficult to capture and count, especially in plants like corn where pollen is shed at different times and is carried by wind or insects, leading to incomplete capture and contamination issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving blending the plant with a liquid in a blender to separate pollen, followed by filtration and image analysis using software to count the pollen grains, allowing for efficient and accurate quantification of pollen production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If pollen is captured using sticky traps in the field, then pollen collection is simplified, but not all pollen is captured and quantification accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts pollen from its natural location on the plant by shaking the plant into a collection container, separating the pollen from the plant structure. This allows complete collection of shed pollen without the limitations of sticky traps while maintaining quantitative accuracy through controlled collection and measurement procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary collection container and measurement system between the plant and the analysis process. Pollen is collected into a controlled environment (container), then measured using standardized procedures (visual estimation, Coulter principle, or fluorescence), providing accurate quantification while simplifying the collection process.
2Quantity of substance
If clear plastic bags are placed over tassels to capture pollen, then total pollen shed can be captured, but stress effects are imposed on the tassel and pollen is captured post-shed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of capturing pollen by enclosing the tassel in a bag (top-down approach), the patent inverts the approach by shaking the tassel to release pollen downward into a collection container. This avoids enclosing the tassel and imposing stress while still capturing all shed pollen for quantification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary collection of shed pollen by shaking the plant before any analysis occurs. This preliminary action captures all pollen that has naturally shed from the tassel without interfering with the tassel's natural processes or imposing stress through enclosing devices.
3Loss of time
If tassel weight difference is measured between pre and post shed, then pollen production can be estimated, but the method is statistically variable and requires two separated-in-time measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the pollen collection process into a single controlled event: shaking the plant to release all shed pollen into a collection container. This single-step collection eliminates the need for two separate weight measurements at different times, reducing temporal variability while maintaining accurate pollen quantification through direct collection and measurement of the captured pollen.
4Productivity
If pollen is counted using visual estimation of tassel size, then rapid evaluation is provided, but the method is not quantitative
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual estimation method with alternative measurement systems: (1) direct visual counting of collected pollen, (2) Coulter principle technology for electrical impedance-based counting, or (3) fluorescence properties for optical detection. These substitutions maintain rapid evaluation while providing actual quantitative pollen counts rather than subjective visual estimates of tassel size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes fluorescence properties of pollen as a quantitative measurement method. By detecting the fluorescence emission from collected pollen, the system provides rapid, objective, and quantitative pollen quantification, replacing subjective visual estimation while maintaining high productivity through automated or semi-automated detection.
5Ease of manufacture
If mechanized methods like dry grinding are used to separate pollen, then separation can be achieved, but the methods are time-consuming and may damage pollen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic shaking action to separate and collect pollen from the plant. This periodic mechanical action is sufficient to release pollen without the excessive force of continuous grinding, achieving effective separation while minimizing processing time and avoiding pollen damage through controlled, intermittent motion rather than sustained mechanical stress.
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 method enables fast, high-throughput, and accurate pollen counting, reducing the time required per sample significantly and providing reliable data for plant breeding, genetic advancement, and crop production, while minimizing contamination and sample handling errors.
Implementation Method 1
blending the plant with a liquid in a blender to separate pollen
Implementation Method 2
Pollen is extracted from the liquid/plant suspension through a filter or strainer sized to pass relevant pollen grains
Data Source
AI summary
A method of quantitatively obtaining a measurement of pollen of a plant. A quantitative collection of a sample of pollen is counted. Total pollen of the plant can be calculated. One way of quantitative collection of pre-shed pollen involves blending a part of the plant with pollen in the presence of liquid (e.g. water) in a blender. The action of the blender tends to destroy the non-pollen parts of the plant and release the pollen into the liquid. Extraction of the pollen from the blender can be through a sidewall port that includes a filter or sieve having a mesh size that passes relevant pollen but blocks most non-pollen plant parts. The sample can be efficiently prepared for counting of pollen. One method of counting comprises imaging the sample with the pollen well distributed in the focal plane of the imager.