| 摘要 |
Australia Patents Act 1990 Innovation Patent Application Invention Title: Membrane-Meniscus Method. Abstract: The Membrane-Meniscus Method is applied to the hydroponic method of plant growth and it is used as a means of supplying nutrient to the root systems of any number of plants. There are many ways in which nutrient can be supplied to plants, but almost all popular current techniques, either commercial or domestic, allow roots to come into direct contact with the liquid nutrient supply. This creates many problems because root exudates tend to contaminate the nutrient supply, whilst the electrical conductivity (strength) including the pH, are also significantly affected due to the disparate uptake of the various mineral elements contained in the nutrient. Commercial growers go to considerable lengths to keep their nutrient supply in the correct "balance" by computer control of additives and other measures. Even with this level of control, the nutrient storage tanks (through which the solution is recirculated ) need to be emptied periodically and replaced with fresh nutrient. The Membrane-Meniscus Method however, employs a membrane which presents itself as an impenetrable barrier to roots, whilst at the same time the membrane allows nutrient to enter the Root Zone by way of capillary action. The absence of roots from the Nutrient supply Zone ensures that the nutrient supply cannot become contaminated in any way and intervention to maintain "balance" is unnecessary. A further important feature of the Membrane-Meniscus Method is that nutrient is supplied to the roots exclusively by a meniscus "film" rather than a significant depth of "liquid". The meniscus film provides the essential moisture that roots need, and permits rapid diffusion of oxygen from the surrounding air to the roots. W4-. >0 -4 |
