Agricultural Spray Tracer Method for AI Volatility Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Discerning whether active ingredient (AI) movement is due to spray drift during application or volatility post-application remains a challenge, as existing methods are complex, time-consuming, and expensive.
Innovation Solution
The use of a metal tracer in agricultural spray solutions, combined with an agricultural drift tunnel (AgDT) that simulates environmental conditions, allows for differentiation between drift caused by application and volatility by maintaining a predetermined ratio of AI to tracer, which remains constant for droplet deposition and increases for vaporization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing methods are used to discern AI movement sources, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a tracer substance as an intermediary to indirectly measure AI movement sources. The tracer mixes with the AI during application and travels together, allowing researchers to track movement patterns without directly observing the AI itself. This mediator approach simplifies the measurement system while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracer creates a simplified copy or proxy of the AI's behavior. Instead of directly measuring complex AI movement, the tracer replicates the movement pattern in a more easily measurable form, enabling precise discernment of movement sources through the tracer's behavior rather than direct AI observation.
2Measurement precision
If existing methods are used to discern AI movement sources, then measurement precision can be achieved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracer is mixed with the AI in advance during formulation, before application occurs. This preliminary action ensures that when movement analysis is needed, the tracer is already in position to immediately track AI movement from the start, eliminating time-consuming setup procedures and enabling rapid discernment of movement sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical or procedural measurement systems with a chemical tracing approach. Instead of using elaborate equipment or time-consuming procedures to track AI movement, the chemical tracer provides continuous, passive tracking that significantly reduces the time required to discern movement sources while maintaining measurement precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If tracer ratio is maintained constant, then droplet deposition can be identified, but volatility detection requires ratio change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes changes in the tracer-to-AI ratio as a key parameter to distinguish between different movement mechanisms. When the ratio remains constant, it indicates droplet deposition; when the ratio changes (particularly when tracer concentration increases relative to AI), it indicates volatility. This parameter change approach reliably identifies both droplet deposition and volatility events.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracer is selected to have distinct physical or chemical properties that change in detectable ways, analogous to color changes. These property changes in the tracer provide visual or measurable indicators that allow reliable differentiation between droplet deposition (constant ratio) and volatility (changing ratio) scenarios.
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 provides a cost-effective and time-efficient way to determine the source of off-target AI movement, distinguishing between spray drift and volatility, thereby optimizing application techniques and reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
Volatility of the AI can occur after application based on the AI converting to a gas and moving off application site
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of the present disclosure include the use of a tracer in agricultural spray solutions, and preferably a metal tracer, to determine if off-target drift of an active ingredient (AI) is based on drift caused during application or volatility of AI after application.