Solid-State Grow-Lights With Pigment-Matched Blue Emissions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing grow-lights do not effectively utilize the wavelength-dependent nature of plant photosynthesis, particularly in the blue to cyan region, leading to suboptimal growth and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The development of solid-state LED-based grow-lights that generate narrowband, broadband, or full spectrum blue light emissions tailored to match the peak absorption wavelengths of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments, with specific configurations to enhance photosynthesis and plant growth, including the use of InGaN/GaN LEDs and quantum well structures to achieve desired spectral compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional grow-lights use broad spectrum lighting, then they provide sufficient overall illumination, but they fail to optimize photosynthesis by not matching peak absorption wavelengths of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by targeting specific wavelength regions (blue to cyan 400-520nm) that correspond to peak absorption wavelengths of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments. Instead of providing uniform broad-spectrum lighting, the system concentrates energy in specific spectral bands where plants absorb most efficiently, thereby optimizing photosynthesis while reducing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the spectral composition parameters of the lighting system. It employs LED arrays with specific wavelength distributions (blue 430-470nm, cyan 490-520nm) to match the absorption spectra of photosynthetic pigments. This parameter optimization ensures maximum photon utilization for photosynthesis rather than providing non-optimal broad-spectrum illumination.
2Loss of energy
If grow-lights emit high intensity light across all visible wavelengths, then they ensure adequate illumination for plant growth, but they waste energy on wavelengths that are not efficiently absorbed by plant pigments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary portion of the visible spectrum that corresponds to peak absorption wavelengths of photosynthetic pigments. By removing or reducing intensity in wavelength regions that are not efficiently absorbed (such as green and yellow regions), the system minimizes energy waste while maintaining adequate illumination through concentrated blue and cyan emission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by providing high intensity illumination only in specific wavelength ranges (blue 430-470nm and cyan 490-520nm) rather than uniform intensity across the entire visible spectrum. This partial illumination approach targets only the wavelengths that provide maximum photosynthetic benefit, avoiding excessive energy input in less effective wavelength regions.
3Productivity
If the light spectrum is optimized for photosynthesis by concentrating energy at peak absorption wavelengths, then photosynthetic efficiency increases, but the overall illumination may appear imbalanced to human eyes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling adjustable spectral composition through controllable LED arrays. The system can dynamically adjust the ratio and intensity distribution between blue (430-470nm) and cyan (490-520nm) wavelengths to balance photosynthetic efficiency with acceptable color rendering. This dynamic control allows optimization for different plant species and growth stages while maintaining visual acceptability.
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 tailored light emissions significantly increase photosynthetic efficiency and plant growth rates by maximizing photon absorption and mimicking natural sunlight, promoting optimal growth and development.
Implementation Method 1
solid-state LED-based grow-lights that generate narrowband, broadband, or full spectrum blue light emissions
Implementation Method 2
converting light energy into chemical energy by the absorption of light by photosynthetic pigments
Implementation Method 3
the use of InGaN/GaN LEDs and quantum well structures to achieve desired spectral compositions
Implementation Method 4
solid-state light sources (LEDs) whose emission spectrum in the blue to cyan region of the spectrum is configured to promote photosynthesis
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
There is provided a light emitting device, for example a grow-light, comprising: a broadband blue solid-state light source that generates broadband blue light with a peak emission wavelength from 420 nm to 495 nm and a full width at half maximum of at least 30 nm. It may be that the broadband blue solid-state light source generates broadband blue light with a peak emission wavelength of at least one of: from 420 nm to 450 nm; from 460 nm to 480 nm; and from 450 nm to 465 nm and 480 nm to 495 nm.