Water-Soluble Glass Composition for Sustained Algae Nutrient Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to provide a glass composition that can continuously supply specific inorganic components to promote the growth of marine plants like algae and phytoplankton, while ensuring appropriate nutrient supply and controlling dissolution rates, which is crucial for sustainable aquaculture.
Innovation Solution
A glass composition containing trace metal oxides and inorganic components is developed, formulated as a water-soluble glass that dissolves well in water, allowing for controlled nutrient supply and promoting the growth of marine plants by continuously providing essential nutrients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a glass composition is designed to dissolve quickly in water to supply nutrients, then the nutrient supply rate is improved, but the duration of action is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the chemical composition ratios of glass components (SiO2: 1-50 wt%, B2O3: 10-40 wt%, P2O5: 5-20 wt%, Na2O: 1-10 wt%, K2O: 1-10 wt%, CaO: 1-10 wt%, MgO: 1-10 wt%) to achieve optimal dissolution rate. This compositional parameter optimization enables the glass to dissolve at a controlled rate that provides nutrients continuously over an extended period while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple glass-forming and glass-modifying oxides in specific proportions. The composite glass composition includes network formers (SiO2, B2O3, P2O5) and network modifiers (Na2O, K2O, CaO, MgO) that work together to create a material with tailored dissolution properties, resolving the contradiction between rapid nutrient release and sustained supply duration.
2Ease of operation
If the glass composition is made highly water-soluble to supply nutrients effectively, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the object's composition is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the ratio between glass-forming oxides (which provide stability) and glass-modifying oxides (which enhance water solubility). Specifically, the balanced composition with SiO2 (1-50 wt%) providing structural stability alongside controlled amounts of Na2O (1-10 wt%), K2O (1-10 wt%), CaO (1-10 wt%), and MgO (1-10 wt%) achieves both high water solubility for effective nutrient supply and compositional stability for controlled dissolution.
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 glass composition effectively supports the growth of diatoms and microalgae, enhances aquaculture systems, and helps in building a sea forest by supplying nutrients continuously, while also addressing red tide issues and supporting abalone aquaculture.
Implementation Method 1
implemented as a water-soluble glass which dissolves well in water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention discloses a glass composition for algae growth and a method for manufacturing the same, the glass composition including a trace metal oxide added thereto and containing an inorganic component capable of aiding the growth of marine plants and being implemented as a water-soluble glass which dissolves well in water, so that it can appropriately supply nutrients to algae and the like in the sea. As a result, the glass composition for algae growth and the method for manufacturing the same according to the present invention can promote the cultivation of diatoms as effectively as possible.