A system for collecting waste heat from computing components and delivering the collected heat for useful applications is provided. At least a first heat exchanger is provided to collect the waste heat generated by the computing components. A further heat exchanger is provided to transfer the heat collected by the first heat exchanger and deliver it for useful applications. The useful applications can include providing heat to a building (e.g., residential, commercial, agricultural building). A controller is provided to operation of the components of the heat exchangers (e.g., fans, pumps, valves) to ensure that the computing components are maintained at a suitable temperature.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to growing plants. In one aspect, an apparatus include a platform, a light emitting diode (LED) panel, one or more imaging modules, a liquid handling unit, a robotic arm, with these components being positioned in a chamber. A first surface of the platform including features defining a plurality of areas, with each area defining a space for a plant growth device. The LED panel is positioned to illuminate the first surface of the platform. The heat exchanger is in thermal contact with a second surface of the platform. The imaging module includes an imaging device from the group a microscope, a camera, and a scanner. The liquid handling unit is operable to add and remove liquids from the plant growth device. The robotic arm is operable to pick up and move the plant growth device from the platform to an imaging module.

A growing system includes a tub having a lid attached thereto, the tub having an interior area; a tubing system secured within the interior area of the tub; a fluid reservoir housing a fluid pump, the fluid pump in fluid communication with the tubing system; a water tank positioned within the interior area of the tub and having a water level sensor therein; one or more lights configured to emit light into the interior area; a heat pump to emit heat into the interior area; a thermocouple and hygrometer to measure temperature and humidity within the interior area of the tub; and a controller having one or more controls to receive user commands to operate the fluid pump, the one or more lights, and the heat pump; the controller operates to control a microclimate within the interior area of the tub based on user preferences.

A system for collecting waste heat from computing components and delivering the collected heat for useful applications is provided. At least a first heat exchanger is provided to collect the waste heat generated by the computing components. A further heat exchanger is provided to transfer the heat collected by the first heat exchanger and deliver it for useful applications. The useful applications can include providing heat to a building (e.g., residential, commercial, agricultural building). A controller is provided to operation of the components of the heat exchangers (e.g., fans, pumps, valves) to ensure that the computing components are maintained at a suitable temperature.

A cooling and/or heating system for cooling and/or heating plant roots includes at least one heat transfer element to be disposed in a growth base close to plant roots and a 3D textile through which a fluid can flow and which comprises at least one fluid inlet for admitting the fluid and at least one fluid outlet for discharging the fluid. A device with such a cooling and/or heating system and a growth base for plants, and a method for cooling and/or heating plant roots, where fluid of a determined temperature flows through the at least one heat transfer element for the purpose of cooling and/or heating plant roots.

A plant cultivation device and a greening apparatus thereof are provided. The plant cultivation device includes a fixing member which includes a first channel, a shared channel and a plurality of first through-holes. The first through-hole is connected with the first channel and the shared channel, and passes through an upper surface of the fixing member. Both the first through-hole and the shared channel are stack-up with each other, and the first through-hole is located above the shared channel. The shared channel is configured to fill with a cultivation medium,and the first channel is configured to store water flowing from the shared channel by the first through-hole when too much water is stored in the shared channel. The present disclosure can optimize a growing environment of plants.

A modular aeroponic grow system utilizing circulated reservoirs of temperature-regulated liquid nutrient solution to maintain temperature stability of plant roots within a grow system includes a control unit, one or more grow units, a liquid nutrient solution reservoir circulation conduit system, and a liquid nutrient solution mist delivery conduit system independent of, and isolated from, the reservoir circulation system, wherein air temperature stability with a grow unit interior chamber is maintained by regulating the temperature of liquid nutrient solution flowing through the mist delivery conduit system, and wherein the temperature of liquid nutrient solution flowing through the mist delivery conduit system is maintained by regulating the temperature of liquid nutrient solution flowing through the reservoir circulation conduit system.

Facades, roofs, and greenhouses that may capable of self-cooling are provided. For example, a façade for a greenhouse may include an internal glass wall and an external glass wall in a parallel plane to the internal glass wall and separated from the internal glass wall by a first distance. The distance may be configured to permit passage of a heat transfer liquid. The internal glass wall can include a first face, facing the external glass wall. The first face of the internal glass wall can include a reflective surface configured to reflect solar radiation into the heat transfer liquid when in operation.

An aeroponic growing system includes a plurality of parallel vertical aeroponic growing apparatuses each having a closable loop articulated wall made up of vertical strips or panels that are pivotally attached side-by-side together with flexible joints. The motor-driven articulated wall moves on rails as an oblong-shaped carousel. The panels are provided with numerous plant-growing cups such that the growing plant extends outwardly out of the cup while the roots thereof are located inwardly of the wall. A spraying system delivers nutrients to the roots in darkness. On the external side, plants are exposed to controlled lighting provided by a programmable vertical LED system. Every growing step of the plants is optimized and supported by sensors and interactive software. The articulated wall is disengageable from its aeroponic growing apparatus to be displaced along a railing system between a grow room and other areas, and/or inverted for the roots to face outward.

A distributed sensor grid may be used to monitor the growth conditions of plants in an agricultural environment. In one example, a distributed sensor grid may include sensors that are arranged as a grid defined by a vertical axis and a first horizontal axis. The sensors may each be coupled to a cable and/or a port that provides operating power and/or network communications access. In some implementations, a plurality of lighting fixtures disposed in the agricultural environment may be configured to provide the power and network communications access to one or more sensors, thus alleviating use of excess cabling for connectivity and simplifying installation. The sensors may be correspondingly disposed within the vicinity of respective lighting fixtures to monitor growth conditions for a portion of the agricultural environment. The sensors used may also be packaged as an integrated sensor assembly, further simplifying installation and deployment.