Spectrally Selective Ground Covering for PAR Reflection and NIR Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing horticulture ground coverings do not effectively absorb Near-Infrared (NIR) energy for thermal enhancement and do not enhance the light spectrum beyond reflection, limiting their ability to provide optimal growing conditions for plants.
Innovation Solution
A structure comprising a substrate with distinct substrate portions, each with specific materials for selective reflection, transmission, and absorption of light waves, including a reflective component, a spectrally selective component, a phase change material, and a luminescent material, to absorb NIR for thermal energy storage and enhance PAR reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If black pigmented ground floor coverings are used to absorb all radiations of the solar spectrum, then thermal energy is provided for greenhouse heating, but photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) is also absorbed instead of being reflected to plants
Solution Approach 1:
The ground covering is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: a top layer with high PAR reflectivity (white or light-colored) and a bottom layer with high NIR absorptivity (black or dark-colored). This segmentation allows the top layer to reflect PAR to plants while the bottom layer absorbs NIR to generate thermal energy, resolving the contradiction between heating and plant illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the ground covering are assigned different optical properties: the surface layer has high reflectivity in the PAR region (400-700nm) to benefit plant photosynthesis, while the underlying layer has high absorptivity in the NIR region (700-2500nm) to generate heat. This local differentiation of optical qualities allows simultaneous optimization of both plant growth and thermal heating.
2Illumination intensity
If white pigmented ground floor coverings are used to reflect PAR, then plant illumination is enhanced, but NIR energy is not absorbed for thermal enhancement
Solution Approach 1:
The ground covering is divided into multiple layers with distinct functions: a top layer with high PAR reflectivity (white or light-colored) and a bottom layer with high NIR absorptivity (black or dark-colored). This segmentation allows the top layer to reflect PAR to plants while the bottom layer absorbs NIR to generate thermal energy, resolving the contradiction between heating and plant illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the ground covering are assigned different optical properties: the surface layer has high reflectivity in the PAR region (400-700nm) to benefit plant photosynthesis, while the underlying layer has high absorptivity in the NIR region (700-2500nm) to generate heat. This local differentiation of optical qualities allows simultaneous optimization of both plant growth and thermal heating.
3Temperature
If selectively selective inorganic pigments are included to absorb NIR whilst reflecting PAR, then thermal energy absorption is improved, but no energy storage or light spectrum enhancement is provided
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple materials and functions into a single ground covering system: reflective materials (white pigments, metalized films) are merged with selective NIR absorbing materials (black pigments, carbon-based materials), and phase change materials are integrated to provide energy storage. This merging creates a multi-functional system that simultaneously reflects PAR, absorbs NIR, stores thermal energy, and can enhance light spectrum for plant growth.
Solution Approach 2:
The ground covering employs composite material structures combining different materials with complementary properties: a composite of reflective and absorptive materials in layered or mixed configurations, and integration of phase change materials with the ground covering matrix. These composite structures enable simultaneous achievement of PAR reflection, NIR absorption, and thermal energy storage without requiring separate systems.
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 structure enhances thermal efficiency by storing thermal energy during the day and releasing it at night, while maximizing PAR reflection and utilization, creating favorable growing conditions for plants.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one second material has a third level of absorption for a second region of the light wave... the at least one second substrate portion may be configured for absorbing at least one light wave portion associated with the second region of the light wave
Implementation Method 2
the at least one second substrate portion may be configured for producing at least one amount of thermal energy based on the absorbing of the at least one light wave portion
Implementation Method 3
the at least one first material has a first level of reflection for a first region of the light wave... the at least one first substrate portion may be configured for reflecting at least one light wave portion associated with the first region of the light wave
Implementation Method 4
the at least one third material transitions between at least one first state and at least one second state for at least one of storing and releasing at least one portion of the at least one amount of the thermal energy
Data Source
AI summary
A structure for facilitating spectrally selective transformation of light waves includes a substrate comprising a first substrate portion comprising a first material and a second substrate portion comprising a second material assembled with the first substrate portion. The first material has a first level of reflection for a first region of the light wave, which is greater than first levels of reflection for first regions of the light wave. The second material has a second level of transmission for the first region which is greater than second levels of transmission for the first regions. The second material has a third level of absorption for a second region of the light wave which is greater than third levels of absorption for second regions of the light wave. The second substrate portion absorbs a light wave portion associated with the second region and produces thermal energy based on the absorbing.