Mobile UV-C Light Panel for Short-Dose Crop Treatment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural practices rely heavily on phytopharmaceutical products, which have negative environmental and health impacts, necessitating the development of alternative techniques that are as effective but less harmful.
Innovation Solution
A mobile light exposure device that emits UV-C light pulses for short durations (less than two seconds) to improve crop yield and quality, reducing the need for phytopharmaceutical products and minimizing environmental harm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If UV-C light pulses are applied for short durations (less than two seconds), then crop yield and quality are improved without the adverse effects of phytopharmaceutical products, but the treatment duration is extremely short which may reduce the effectiveness of light exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of UV-C light exposure by using very short pulse durations (less than two seconds) combined with high optical power density (between 100 W/m² and 10,000 W/m²). This parameter change achieves the desired biological effects on plant metabolism and morphology while minimizing harmful exposures, resolving the contradiction between short duration and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs periodic pulsed action of UV-C light rather than continuous exposure. The light source emits pulses of UV-C radiation in a controlled periodic manner, allowing the plant material to process each pulse effectively while preventing excessive cumulative exposure. This periodic action maintains effectiveness while controlling duration.
2Productivity
If conventional phytopharmaceutical products are used to optimize crop yields, then crop yield and quality are improved, but environmental contamination and health hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical mechanism of phytopharmaceutical products with a physical mechanism - UV-C light radiation. This substitution eliminates the harmful chemical contamination and health hazards associated with phytopharmaceuticals while maintaining the ability to stimulate plant metabolism, growth, and quality improvement through photomorphogenic responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potentially harmful UV-C radiation into a beneficial treatment by controlling its application parameters. UV-C light, which can be harmful in excessive amounts, is applied in controlled short pulses that stimulate beneficial physiological responses in plants such as increased metabolism, improved morphology, and enhanced quality, while avoiding the harmful effects of conventional chemicals.
3Power
If UV-C light pulses with high optical power density are used, then plant metabolism and morphology are stimulated effectively, but the risk of tissue damage and plant stress increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulsed application of high optical power density UV-C light rather than continuous high-power exposure. The pulsed nature allows the plant tissue to process and recover between pulses, stimulating metabolism and morphology through each pulse while preventing cumulative tissue damage and stress that would occur with continuous high-power exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention carefully controls the parameters of UV-C light application, specifically using short pulse durations (less than two seconds) combined with high optical power density (between 100 W/m² and 10,000 W/m²). This parameter optimization stimulates beneficial physiological responses while staying below the thresholds for tissue damage and plant 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
The use of UV-C light pulses stimulates plant metabolism, morphology, and secondary metabolite production, leading to improved crop yields and quality without the adverse effects of chemical treatments.
Implementation Method 1
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation, also known as 'black light' because it is not visible to the naked eye, is electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength than visible light but longer than X-rays
Implementation Method 2
Ultraviolet, blue and red radiation are involved in various photomorphogenic responses. UV-B wavelengths (280-315 nm) are biologically active and when applied at non-harmful doses induce changes in gene expression, physiology, metabolite accumulation and plant morphology
Implementation Method 3
Light is one of the most important environmental factors regulating plant growth and development. Plants need light not only for photosynthesis, but also for precise regulation of their development
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of apparatus herein includes a locomotion device, a storage space with straps configured to be carried on a user's back, a trolley, or a wheelbarrow that each have a reflector body extending therefrom to which is mounted a UV-C light source operatively positioned relative to a reflector and operatively temperature controlled by an on-board temperature control unit to form a panel. The UV-C light source is operatively controlled to administer a dose of UV-C light based on a duration of exposure of at most two seconds when the panel has an optical power density between 300 W/m2 and 3000 W/m2 and a surface area of 0.01 m2 to 5 m2. The dose is in a range of 100 J/m2 to 1600 J/m2 as the locomotion device moves at an operating speed in a range of 1 km/hr to 10 km/hour.