+

WO2009066991A2 - Appareil et procédé inédits de contrôle de paramètres environnementaux - Google Patents

Appareil et procédé inédits de contrôle de paramètres environnementaux Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009066991A2
WO2009066991A2 PCT/MY2008/000157 MY2008000157W WO2009066991A2 WO 2009066991 A2 WO2009066991 A2 WO 2009066991A2 MY 2008000157 W MY2008000157 W MY 2008000157W WO 2009066991 A2 WO2009066991 A2 WO 2009066991A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
nutrient solution
sensor
ion
sensors
solution
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/MY2008/000157
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2009066991A3 (fr
Inventor
Rozina Abdul Rani
Hing Wah Lee
Aiman Sajidah Abd.Aziz
Mohd Ismahadi Syono
Ali Zaini Abdullah
Mohd Rofei Bin Mat Hussin
Original Assignee
Mimos Berhad
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mimos Berhad filed Critical Mimos Berhad
Publication of WO2009066991A2 publication Critical patent/WO2009066991A2/fr
Publication of WO2009066991A3 publication Critical patent/WO2009066991A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G7/00—Botany in general
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
    • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
    • A01G31/00—Soilless cultivation, e.g. hydroponics

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for monitoring environmental parameters and methods of operating the same. More particularly, the invention relates to the application of the apparatus and methods for use in agricultural operations.
  • Control Environment Agriculture has been introduced to overcome the intensive use of manpower the conventional plant cultivation.
  • CEA hydroponics plant production system most environmental parameters especially the nutrient level of the solution are controlled for maintaining the quality and quantity of the plants.
  • an ion selective electrode is used as a monitoring sensor in CEA.
  • ISE ion selective electrode
  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for controlling and monitoring nutrient solution to be supplied to a plant having an inlet and an outlet comprising of :
  • a pH sensor for sensing and regulating the pH value according to the predetermined in the nutrient solution
  • a plurality of ion sensors for sensing and regulating ion concentrations according to the predetermined of each nutrient ion of the nutrient solution
  • a temperature sensor for sensing and regulating temperature according to the predetermined temperature of the nutrient solution
  • a plurality of sample-flow sensors for allowing the nutrient solution to be introduced according to the predetermined flow rate of the nutrient solution from the inlet to the outlet;
  • the apparatus further comprises of a plurality of micropumps for sucking in the nutrient solution into the inlet, a microfilter having a plurality of holes for filtering the unwanted particles in the nutrient solution; and a plurality of microdryers for reducing the volume of water of the nutrient solution via heating.
  • the pH sensor and the ion sensors are selected from an ion filed effect transistor (ISFET).
  • ISFET ion filed effect transistor
  • the temperature sensor is selected from a resistance temperature detector (RTD).
  • RTD resistance temperature detector
  • the micropumps have two polysilicon electrodes. Further, according to still another aspect of the present invention wherein polysilicon electrodes are a fixed electrode and a moveable electrode.
  • the moveable electrode is moving up and down for allowing the nutrient solution to enter the apparatus via the inlet.
  • the apparatus is formed from two wafers by using a silicon fusion bonding technique.
  • a method for controlling and monitoring nutrient solution to be supplied to a plant by using the apparatus comprising of :
  • a method of cleaning said apparatus comprising of
  • said buffer solution is deionized water.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a basic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems are well known. BioMEMS is a branch of MEMS that evolved in the past decade. In general BioMEMS contemplates all disciplines related to life sciences integrated to micro or nanoscale systems. The development of the sensor is based on BioMEMS device technology where it combines all the sensors and microfluidic components (microfilter, microchannel, micropump, and microvalve) in merely a chip. As used herein, the term BioMEMS or biochip refers to any micro or nanoscale system configured for a life sciences application.
  • Microfluidics is a vital component to the success of BioMEMS due to natural phenomena effects that occur at small scales. Depending on the materials used in BioMEMS, the traditional assumption of continuum flow regime may not be valid if the length scale is small.
  • Microsystem technology that combines microfluidics with BioMEMS or other MEMS devices that explore biological and chemical processes can be used to make devices now commonly known as lab-on-a-chip or micrototal analysis systems (micro-TAS or ⁇ TAS).
  • micro-TAS micrototal analysis systems
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a cross sectional view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the present invention is a nutrient monitoring sensor 134, which consists of a pH sensor 148, 220 , sample-flow sensors 122, 216, 224, ions sensors (nitrate and potassium) 142, 144, 222 and temperature sensor 146, 218 for monitoring environmental parameters in the plants.
  • Environmental parameters refer to data that describes an environment. An environment may be described using terms such as temperature, humidity, pressure, weather (climatological data) and pH.
  • the depth of sensor may be measured using a variety of optical, electronic, or mechanical instruments conventional in the art. The depth may be measured using an optical sensor attached to frame or probe, which is effective for measuring the distance to the ground.
  • the pH sensor 148, 220 in the present invention is an ion field effect transistor 132 (ISFET) as a platform.
  • ISFET 132 is designed based on metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor arrangement wherein the metallic gate is not a control electrode.
  • MOS metal oxide semiconductor
  • the physical difference in the ISFET 132 structure is the replacement of the metal gate of the metal-oxide-semiconductor-field-effect transistor (MOSFET) by the series combination of the reference electrode, electrolyte and ion sensitive material or chemically sensitive insulator.
  • the gate insulator of ISFET 132 senses the specific ion concentration (i.e.
  • ISFET pH sensor senses hydrogen, H + ions) generating an interface potential on the gate; the corresponding drain-source current change in the semiconductor channel is observed.
  • the potential developed across the ion sensitive layer directly depends on the concentration of hydrogen H + ions in contact with it.
  • the ISFET 132 channel would be affected by the potential at the gate. This will modulate the current flow across the source and drain when the device is turned on.
  • the concentration of the H + ions could be thus measured by calibrating the amount of current flow.
  • the pH value for a solution is depends on H+ ions concentration. In the other word, we can say that the pH value is correlated to the measured current value.
  • the ISFET 132 used is an n-channel device with a gate insulator consisting of silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) layer.
  • Si 3 N 4 is the best choice because of its good proton sensitivity, dielectric performances and compatible with complementary metal-oxide- semiconductor (CMOS) process.
  • CMOS complementary metal-oxide- semiconductor
  • the material used for the reference electrode is tungsten where it also compatible with the CMOS process.
  • nutrient levels in the hydrophonic solution are to be monitored. All these nutrients effect the growth of the plant and also make them resist to the infection.
  • the ion sensors 142 and 144 detect the nutrients level at each hydroponics tanks (having hydroponics plants in it)
  • the nutrients level information will be sent to the workstation and feedback to a system which control a fertilizer supplier system.
  • the fertilizer supplier system will determine the suitable amount of the nutrients required for the hydroponic plants and supply the nutrient solution to the respective hydroponics tanks. By using this online system, this will avoid the over usage of fertilizer and at the same time reduce the plantation cost.
  • ISFET 132 is modified by depositing an additional membrane layer at the ISFET 132 gate, which is sensitive to certain ions for plants preferably in the present invention nitrate and potassium ions.
  • the type of membrane can be a polymer or enzyme layer. The chemical reaction between the membrane layer and the specific ions will generate the H + ions and then modulate the current channel of ISFET. Thus, it produces a certain current value which indicates the ions concentration in the solution.
  • the temperature sensor 146 used in present invention is based on a resistance temperature detectors' (RTD) sensor. It is developed by using 1000 ⁇ tungsten and covered with thin layer Si 3 N 4 . This sensor will sense the environment temperature of the hydrophonic solutions in each hydroponic tank.
  • RTD resistance temperature detectors'
  • the sample-flow sensor 122 is acting as an indicator in the present invention. It monitors the condition of the solutions in the present invention and ascertains the flowrate from inlet 112 to the outlet 140 according to the flow rate as determined. This sensor is using a two finger electrodes method and developed from tungsten. When the solutions flow over these two electrodes, it will complete the circuit and turn on a light- emitting diod LED.
  • a micropump 123, 212 in the present invention is used to suck the solution flowing in through the inlet part as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. It has two polysilicon electrodes, a fixed electrode and the moveable electrode. A voltage bias will be applied to the fixed electrode and cause the moveable electrode to move. The moving of the moveable electrode up and down will allow the solutions outside the monitoring sensor in the present invention to flow through the inlet 112.
  • a fixed polysilicon layer with holes 114 is used as a microfilter 118, 214. This microfilter 118, 214 filters the particles in the solutions to avoid a plurality of microchannels 115 along the monitoring sensor in the present invention from being blocked.
  • MicroChannel 115 is a channel in the micro scale. It functions as a route for the solutions to reach respective sensors and flow out from the monitoring sensor of the present invention.
  • a microdryer 130 in the present invention is used for heating the polysilicon layer with a specific voltage and evaporating the balance water. It is used for the sensor storage purpose where it can clean the sensors and to prevent lichens from growing inside the present invention.
  • the monitoring of the present invention is made from two wafers namely first wafer 210 and second wafer 226 as shown in Figure 2.
  • the first wafer 210 comprising a layer of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) deposition, a layer of silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) deposition with pattern and etch, a layer of poly deposition with pattern and etch, a layer of sacrificial layer deposition, a second layer of poly deposition with pattern and etch and finally a layer of sacrificial layer etch.
  • the second wafer 226 comprising a layer of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) deposition with pattern and etch, a layer of ion implantation, a layer of gate oxide deposition, a layer of poly deposition with pattern and etch, a layer of borophosphosilicate glass (BPSG) with pattern and etch, a layer of metal deposition with pattern and etch, a layer of tungsten deposition with pattern and etch, a layer of silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) deposition with pattern and etch and finally a layer of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) deposition with pattern and etch. Both wafers are combined by using silicon fusion bonding technique.
  • all these sensors are used for monitoring the environmental parameters of the hydroponic solution.
  • the sampling activity of hydroponic solutions can be monitored via online system.
  • the environmental parameters will be extracted and sent to the workstation either through wires or wireless once the solution across over all the sensors.
  • a buffer solution such as deionized water (D1 water) js passing through the microchannel 115 to rinse monitoring sensor of the present invention from wash buffer 138. Buffer solutions after the rinsing process will be channelled to the waste buffer 136.
  • D1 water deionized water

Landscapes

  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Environmental Sciences (AREA)
  • Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
  • Botany (AREA)
  • Ecology (AREA)
  • Forests & Forestry (AREA)
  • Treating Waste Gases (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Electric Means (AREA)
  • Cultivation Of Plants (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un appareil et un procédé de régulation et de contrôle d'une solution nutritive à fournir à une plante.
PCT/MY2008/000157 2007-11-22 2008-11-24 Appareil et procédé inédits de contrôle de paramètres environnementaux WO2009066991A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
MYPI20072069A MY146155A (en) 2007-11-22 2007-11-22 Novel apparatus and method for monitoring environmental parameters
MYPI20072069 2007-11-22

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009066991A2 true WO2009066991A2 (fr) 2009-05-28
WO2009066991A3 WO2009066991A3 (fr) 2009-10-22

Family

ID=40668025

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/MY2008/000157 WO2009066991A2 (fr) 2007-11-22 2008-11-24 Appareil et procédé inédits de contrôle de paramètres environnementaux

Country Status (2)

Country Link
MY (1) MY146155A (fr)
WO (1) WO2009066991A2 (fr)

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2400645R1 (es) * 2011-06-24 2013-08-09 Sanchez Nicolas Martos Equipo de riego hidroponico.
WO2016028329A1 (fr) * 2014-08-21 2016-02-25 Suncrest Usa, Inc. Radeau à imbrication pour culture hydroponique en eau profonde
EP3187039A3 (fr) * 2015-12-30 2017-10-25 STMicroelectronics Inc Système aéroponique avec matrice microfluidique et capteurs pour la commande de rétroaction
US9807950B2 (en) 2014-11-19 2017-11-07 Suncrest, Usa, Inc. Interlocking raft for deepwater culture hydroponics
US10785928B2 (en) 2016-12-09 2020-09-29 Eden Works, Inc. Methods systems and apparatus for cultivating densely seeded crops
US11116156B2 (en) 2016-04-21 2021-09-14 Upward Enterprises Inc. Stacked shallow water culture (SSWC) growing systems, apparatus and methods

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2908550B2 (ja) * 1990-09-28 1999-06-21 株式会社東芝 養液栽培装置
JP2001211770A (ja) * 2000-02-01 2001-08-07 Fujisaki Denki Kk 農業用潅水の製造装置
JP3992939B2 (ja) * 2001-04-18 2007-10-17 株式会社荏原製作所 屋上及び地上緑化システム用灌水制御装置

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2400645R1 (es) * 2011-06-24 2013-08-09 Sanchez Nicolas Martos Equipo de riego hidroponico.
WO2016028329A1 (fr) * 2014-08-21 2016-02-25 Suncrest Usa, Inc. Radeau à imbrication pour culture hydroponique en eau profonde
EP3182819A4 (fr) * 2014-08-21 2018-05-30 Suncrest Usa, Inc. Radeau à imbrication pour culture hydroponique en eau profonde
US10149445B2 (en) 2014-08-21 2018-12-11 Suncrest Usa, Inc. Interlocking raft segment for deepwater culture hydroponics
US9807950B2 (en) 2014-11-19 2017-11-07 Suncrest, Usa, Inc. Interlocking raft for deepwater culture hydroponics
EP3187039A3 (fr) * 2015-12-30 2017-10-25 STMicroelectronics Inc Système aéroponique avec matrice microfluidique et capteurs pour la commande de rétroaction
US10123491B2 (en) 2015-12-30 2018-11-13 Stmicroelectronics, Inc. Aeroponics system with microfluidic die and sensors for feedback control
US10863681B2 (en) 2015-12-30 2020-12-15 Stmicroelectronics, Inc. Aeroponics system with microfluidic die and sensors for feedback control
US11116156B2 (en) 2016-04-21 2021-09-14 Upward Enterprises Inc. Stacked shallow water culture (SSWC) growing systems, apparatus and methods
US10785928B2 (en) 2016-12-09 2020-09-29 Eden Works, Inc. Methods systems and apparatus for cultivating densely seeded crops

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2009066991A3 (fr) 2009-10-22
MY146155A (en) 2012-06-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2009066991A2 (fr) Appareil et procédé inédits de contrôle de paramètres environnementaux
CN104941701B (zh) 用于执行电化学反应的装置和方法
US8444835B2 (en) Electronic and fluidic interface
AU2018282293B2 (en) Molecular receptor-based chemical field-effect transistor
US20120187000A1 (en) Electrochemical sensors
GB2451596A (en) Semiconductor electrochemical sensors
US20070029189A1 (en) Combinatorial electrochemical deposition system
EP3425381B1 (fr) Capteur d'ions et procédé de mesure de concentration d'ions
US20110021894A1 (en) Glucose sensor employing semiconductor nanoelectronic device
JP6854016B2 (ja) 維管束液計測センサ、および維管束液計測センサの製造方法
CN105283758A (zh) 具有一致传感器表面区域的化学传感器
US9852919B2 (en) Methods and systems for point of use removal of sacrificial material
CN101526446A (zh) 用于水田种植系统根际的土壤溶液原位采集装置及其应用
JPH04135427A (ja) 養液栽培装置
Kreis et al. Automated mini-channel platform for studying plant root environments
Ono et al. Pure Photosynthates Extraction Sensor Device With Highly Precise Phloem/Xylem Position Identification
Jiao Wearable sensors for monitoring of structural health and agricultural nutrient conditions
Wang et al. A fully integrated on-chip electrochemical microreactor for the detection of total phosphorus in freshwater
Pandey et al. Automatic Solar Based Irrigation System with pH Sensing Technique
Mross Integrated multi-sensor system for parallel in-situ monitoring of biotechnological processes
Dong High-throughput phenotyping of morphological traits and nutrient uptake of plants using microfluidics devices
Poghossian et al. ‘High-order’hybrid FET module for (bio) chemical and physical sensing
Wilson et al. Microfluidic Devices for Studying Biomolecular Interactions
Maharbiz et al. Silicon microbial bioreactor arrays
Ress Micro electrochemical sensors and PCR systems: cellular and molecular tools for wine yeast analysis

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 08851077

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 08851077

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

点击 这是indexloc提供的php浏览器服务，不要输入任何密码和下载