Water purification particles have porous particles and photocatalyst particles formed of titanium-based compound particles that are supported on the porous particles, have absorption at a wavelength of 500 nm in a visible absorption spectrum, and have an absorption peak at 2,700 cm.sup.−1 to 3,000 cm.sup.−1 in an infrared absorption spectrum, and a metal compound having a metal atom and a hydrocarbon group is bonded to the surface of each of the titanium-based compound particles through an oxygen atom.

A vertical farming structure having vertical grow towers and associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a reciprocating cam mechanism that provides a cost-efficient mechanism for conveying vertical grow towers in the controlled environment. The reciprocating cam mechanism can be arranged to increase the spacing of the grow towers as they are conveyed through the controlled environment to index the crops growing on the towers. The present disclosure also describes an irrigation system that provides aqueous nutrient solution to the grow towers.

There is disclosed a water treatment system, a method of water treatment, and a fertilizer for use with the water treatment system and the method of water treatment. The water treatment system for hydroponic culture without pesticides comprises: an ionization device for the ionization of a culture water, the ionization device having at least one electrode for the release of divalent copper cations; a plant tray for the culture of plants; and a plurality of pipes fluidically connected to the ionization device and the plant tray, the culture water being in circulation through the water treatment system.

Methods of in vitro clonal propagation, regeneration and transformation in Cannabis are provided. Also provided is the use of such methods in improvements of cannabis cultivars such as via breeding.

A smart hydroponic vase system, a method for growing a plant in a smart hydroponic vase, and a method of assembling a smart hydroponic vas is described. The smart hydroponic vase includes a housing having a plurality of chambers; a submersible pump located in each of the plurality of chambers; a plurality of pipes, wherein each pipe connects a different chamber to the first chamber, wherein each pipe is connected to a respective submersible pump; a plurality of measurement sensors including ultrasonic level sensors and a temperature sensor, and a microprocessor connected to receive measurement signals and the level signals and generate drive signals to actuate the plurality of pumps based on sensor signals. A wireless communications unit is connected to the microprocessor. The smart hydroponic vase communicates with a plant manager through a server.

A scalable, hydroponic plant cultivation system that incorporates top-down drip technology, a root misting spray, and a closed loop, lotic nutrient-rich, water-based solution circulation system in a highly oxygenated environment using aeration technology. The hydroponic system starts with a reservoir that is connected at its base to a series of plant containers which is in a closed loop system that pumps nutrient rich solution out from the reservoir to each plant container via an elevated, acequia drip system that provides the nutrient rich solution to the base of the plants, which is then circulated passively down through the root basket and then through the entire system of networked containers and back to the main reservoir. The next element of the hydroponic system has the reservoir connected to a series of pipes and manifolds that run through the upper interior of each plant container to deliver an aerated spray directed at the plant's upper roots. The next element of the hydroponic system is an aeration system that delivers oxygen directly into the nutrient rich water in each container. The final unique aspect of the system is the lightproof cover that covers the top of the root basket and wraps around the base of the stock of the plant to prevent algae growth. The aforementioned elements of the hydroponic system combine to create the optimum environment for what plants need for rapid and vigorous plant growth.

Adaptive buildings and building envelopes having a system of structural members which also function as one or more selectively independent fluidic transport systems. Fluids to be transported such as air, rainwater, potable water, irrigation water, and/or gray water, are moved about the adaptive buildings via the various fluidic transport systems to locations disposed about the adaptive buildings where they are used as needed. Such fluids are also selectively filtered and cleaned by a plurality of filter plate systems disposed about the structure.

A method together with enabling apparatuses is disclosed for the rapid controlled growth of vegetable and similar crops in a hydroponic system. The method includes control of light, minimization of exposure to pathogens, control of temperature of ambient air and the water in the system, nutrients, pH and other growth factors such as transfer between ponds as well as specially designed floating flats and related devices.

A tower catch mechanism that facilitates loading of vertical grow towers in a vertical farming structure having associated conveyance mechanisms for moving the vertical grow towers through a controlled environment, while being exposed to controlled conditions, such as lighting, airflow, humidity and nutritional support. The present disclosure describes a load conveyance mechanism that transfers grow towers to a loading position where grow towers are loaded onto a select grow line. Each grow line may include a grow tower conveyance system that moves vertically-oriented grow towers to select positions along a grow line. The system may include a tower catch mechanism that registers grow towers in position at the loading position for insertion into a select grow line. In some implementations, the tower catch mechanism can be integrated into other structures of the vertical farming system, such as a gutter basin corresponding to a select grow line.

A concentrated aqueous composition of microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) comprising salts for plant nutrition. The concentrated aqueous composition comprises microfibrillated linear polymers of D-glucose molecules (cellulose microfibers), calcium ions, sulfate ions and other elements for plant nutrition. The concentration of calcium ions and sulfate ions exceeds the concentration corresponding to the solubility of calcium sulfate in water. The proportion of MFC is within a range of 1% and 99% w/w of the composition, and the precipitation of salts is prevented in a pH range from 1 to 13.