HYDROGEN NANOBUBBLES INFUSED WATER FOR INDUSTRIAL CROP IRRIGATION

Abstract

A method for irrigation of a crop capable of producing Cannabidiol (CBD) comprises irrigating the crop with a nanobubble hydrogen rich water (HRW-nano), whereby a concentration of CBD in the crop increased as a result of irrigating with the HRW-nano, compared to irrigation with an irrigation water having the same composition except without added hydrogen (control irrigation).

Claims

1-8. (canceled)

9. A method for irrigation of a crop capable of producing Cannabidiol (CBD), the method comprising: irrigating the crop with a nanobubble hydrogen rich water (HRW-nano), whereby a concentration of CBD in the crop increased as a result of irrigating with the HRW-nano, compared to irrigation with an irrigation water having the same composition except without added hydrogen (control irrigation).

10. The method of 9, further comprising the steps of pumping a feed water to a nanobubble generator; and injecting hydrogen gas into the nanobubble generator to form the hydrogen nanobubbles in water therein, wherein a flow rate of the hydrogen gas and a flow rate of the feed water are controlled to achieve consistent average hydrogen nanobubble sizes.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the consistent average hydrogen nanobubble sizes range, for the maximum diameter of linear cross length distance, from approximately 20 to approximately 1000 nm.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the consistent average hydrogen nanobubble sizes range, for the maximum diameter of linear cross length distance, less than approximately 200 nm.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein a concentration of dissolved hydrogen gas in the HRW-nano ranges from approximately 0.6 mg/L to approximately 1.00 mg/L.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein a concentration of dissolved hydrogen gas in the HRW-nano is approximately 0.8 mg/L (or 0.8 ppm).

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the crops are plants of the Family Cannabaceae.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein a concentration of cannabidiol (CBD) is increased by 20 to 40% by irrigating with the HRW-nano compared to control irrigation.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the crops are plants of the Genus Cannabis L.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a concentration of cannabidiol (CBD) is increased by 20 to 40% by irrigating with the HRW-nano compared to control irrigation.

19. The method of claim 9, wherein the nanobubble generator is a device capable of producing the hydrogen nanobubbles in water with an average hydrogen nanobubble size of approximately 20 to approximately 1000 nm.

20. The method of claim 9, wherein the nanobubble generator is a device capable of producing the hydrogen nanobubbles in water with an average hydrogen nanobubble size of less than approximately 200 nm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] For a further understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are given the same or analogous reference numbers and wherein:

[0051] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment for generation of hydrogen rich water (HRW) or hydrogen rich irrigation water;

[0052] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of alterative exemplary embodiment for generation of HRW or hydrogen rich irrigation water;

[0053] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of hydrogen nanobubble generation;

[0054] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of alternative exemplary embodiment of hydrogen nanobubble generation;

[0055] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a HRW generation system applied to plants on open fields according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0056] FIG. 6 is the results of weekly average height in inches of hemp;

[0057] FIG. 7 is the results of average weekly chlorophyll content of hemp;

[0058] FIG. 8 is the results of weekly true leaf count per treatment of hemp;

[0059] FIG. 9 is the results of bud count per treatment of hemp;

[0060] FIG. 10 is the results of average weight per treatment of hemp; and

[0061] FIG. 11 is the results of total average % CBD per treatment of hemp.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0062] Disclosed are methods for producing a hydrogen rich irrigation water or hydrogen rich water (HRW) for irrigation using hydrogen nanobubble injection and methods for using the same to irrigate crops or plants, such as industrial crops and/or edible crops. The disclosed HRW is “HRW-nano” referring to a water containing dissolved hydrogen or a hydrogen rich water produced by hydrogen nanobubble injections. In contrast, a “HRW-regular” is used here to represent a HRW generated by conventional hydrogen gas injections, i.e, diffuser and Venturi injection systems. The disclosed HRW-nano generally has a concentration of dissolved hydrogen ranging from approximately 0.1 ppm to a maximum of 1.6 ppm. The dissolved hydrogen in the HRW-nano is expected to stay in the HRW at least 8 hours. The dissolved hydrogen in the HRW-regular is expected to stay in the HRW for approximately 4 hours.

[0063] Here, the industrial crops include plants of the Family Cannabaceae and plants of the Genus Cannabis L, such as Cannabis (e.g., hemp), maize, crops used for production of essential oils (e.g., lavender, oilseed rape, and linseed), fiber (e.g., coir, cotton, and flax), or the like. Cannabis is used herein as an exemplary industrial crop.

[0064] The industrial crops may be grown outdoors, such as open fields, or indoors, such as a greenhouse.

[0065] There are quite a few different ways to grow Cannabis, with cultivation taking place either outdoors or indoors, e.g., a greenhouse. After selecting seeds or clones of the Cannabis strain desired, one of the following, basic cannabis growing methods may be selected.

[0066] Soil cultivation may be done outdoors or indoors (e.g., potted plant in a greenhouse). Growing Cannabis in soil outdoors, that is, open fields, is the easiest and least expensive method. Indoors planting may be done by hydroponics cultivation and aeroponic cultivation. Hydroponic cultivation involves growing plants without soil by using mineral nutrient solutions in an aqueous solvent. In such a system, plant roots are exposed to the nutritious liquid, or, in addition, the roots may be physically supported by an inert medium such as perlite, gravel, or other substrates. The nutrients used in hydroponic systems can come from many different sources, including fish excrement, duck manure, purchased chemical fertilizers, or artificial nutrient solutions. Aeroponic cultivation involves growing the roots of the plant in air rather than soil, gravel, or any other medium. Typically, the plant is nestled in a mesh basket and a continuous mist of water and fertilizers is spayed over the hanging roots.

[0067] Hydroponic growing is more expensive than traditional soil methods. Growers will need to purchase the pumps, containers, reservoirs, and gravel before projects begin. This method also requires more work for the grower, as the levels of nutrients, as well as pH balance will need to be consistently managed.

[0068] In some embodiments, the disclosed HRW is a hydrogen nanobubble (HRW-nano) containing water that enhances crop productions and increases the concentration of main compounds in the industrial crops. For instance, the HRW-nano, enhances hemp cultivation and increases the concentration of the compound Cannabidiol (CBD) in hemp.

[0069] The disclosed HRW may have a concentration of dissolved hydrogen in water from approximately 0.1 mg/L to approximately 1.6 mg/L. The saturation concentration of hydrogen in pure water is 1.95 and 1.60 mg/L at P=1 bar and T=273.1 K and T=298.1 K, respectively (Yong, C. L, 1981. Solubility Data Series, Volume 5/6, Hydrogen and Deuterium). Preferably, the concentration of disclosed hydrogen in the disclosed HRW ranges from approximately 0.1 to 1.6 mg/L. More preferably, the concentration of dissolved hydrogen in the HRW is from approximately 0.6 mg/L to approximately 1.00 mg/L. Even more preferably, the concentration of disclosed hydrogen in the disclosed HRW is approximately 0.8 mg/L or 0.8 ppm. The gaseous hydrogen may be injected into the water in the form of nanobubbles from a nanobubble generator. A flow rate of hydrogen gas and a flow rate of water fed to the nanobubble generator may be controlled to achieve optimal and consistent average nanobubble sizes of 20 to 1000 nm, preferably less than approximately 200 nm, for the maximum diameter of linear cross length distance. It is known that it is difficult to inject hydrogen gas into water considering the low solubility of hydrogen in water with Henry's law constant of K.sub.H°=7.8×10−4 mol/kg-bar for hydrogen at 273K (NIST Chemistry WebBook).

[0070] By infusing the irrigation water with hydrogen nanobubbles under atmosphere conditions as disclosed herein, hydrogen degassing is significantly reduced. The hydrogen nanobubbles are very stable and may stay in water for a long period. For example, once target concentration is achieved, the hydrogen nanobubbles may stay in water for at least 8 hours. This quality of remaining stable in water may help hydrogen gas eliminate its low solubility problems and high fugacity problems during hydrogen injection and irrigation processes. Small buoyancy force and small Brownian motion force acting on bubbles that have an average size of 20 to 1000 nm, preferably less than 200 nm, resulting in the bubbles (i.e, nanobubbles) increased stability in water.

[0071] The disclosed method preferably uses nanobubble generators to create hydrogen nanobubbles in irrigation water that increases the lifetime of dissolved hydrogen in water and eliminates the need of using high pressure devices to achieve the required level of dissolved hydrogen. In the disclosed method, the concentration of dissolved hydrogen in the produced irrigation water is preferably at least 0.8 mg/L for optimum growth enhancement of crops.

[0072] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment for generation of HRW or hydrogen rich irrigation water. As shown, a feed water, pumped by a feed water pump 102, and hydrogen gas is fed to a nanobubble generator 104, where hydrogen nanobubbles in water are generated. A water tank 106 downstream of the nanobubble generator 104 receives hydrogen nanobubbles in water and produces a hydrogen nanobubble infused irrigation water, that is, the HRW-nano therein for irrigation of crops or plants. The feed water used herein includes common irrigation water and/or nutrition medium, such as, fresh surface water, tap water, ground water, effluent water, wastewater already treated by a tertiary treatment process to meet irrigation requirements (e.g., California requires advanced physical-chemical treatment and extended disinfection to meet a coliform standard less than 2/100 mL), or the like. The feed water pump 102 may be a centrifugal pump. The water tank 106 may be any commercially available water tank that can be used at ambient condition.

[0073] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of alternative exemplary embodiment for generation of hydrogen rich water or hydrogen rich irrigation water. Feed water is fed to a water tank 206 and then pumped to a nanobubble generator 204 through a feed water pump 202. Hydrogen gas is injected into the nanobubble generator 204 where hydrogen nanobubbles are generated in water. The hydrogen nanobubble infused water is then returned back to the water tank 206 to form a hydrogen nanobubble infused irrigation water, that is, a HRW-nano irrigation water. In this embodiment, the HRW-nano may be i) discharged out of the water tank 206 for crop or plant irrigation and/or ii) recirculated back to the nanobubble generator 204 to provide the feed water for the nanobubble generator 204 such that the concentration of the hydrogen nanobubbles in water is increased therefrom.

[0074] The hydrogen nanobubbles in water may be generated in various ways. In some embodiments, hydrogen gas is injected into a feed water through a device 302 to form a gas-liquid mixture that enters a suction port of a pump 304, as shown in FIG. 3. The device 302 may be a Venturi nozzle. The gas-liquid mixture leaving the discharge port of the pump 304 is then mixed in a mixing chamber of a nanobubble generator 306 producing the hydrogen nanobubbles in water. The hydrogen nanobubbles in water are then discharged there from. The nanobubble generator 306 may be a device that is capable of generating hydrogen nanobubbles in water with an average size of 20 to 1000 nm, preferably less than approximately 200 nm. Herein, a flow rate of hydrogen gas and a flow rate of water may be controlled to achieve optimal and consistent nanobubble sizes from the nanobubble generator 306. The average size of the produced hydrogen nanobubbles is 20 to 1000 nm, preferably less than approximately 200 nm.

[0075] Alternatively, the hydrogen nanobubbles may be generated by a ceramic diffuser made of aluminum oxide or a mixture of aluminum oxide, titanium oxide and silicon oxide with appropriate surface coating, as shown in FIG. 4. The ceramic diffuser 404 has a pore size of between 100 to 1000 nm and may be coated with various organic compounds to create suitable surface chemistry. Water and hydrogen gas are fed to the ceramic diffuser 404, where the hydrogen nanobubbles in water is discharged therefrom. Herein, a flow rate of hydrogen gas and a flow rate of water may be controlled to achieve optimal and consistent nanobubble sizes from the nanobubble generator 404. The average size of the produced hydrogen nanobubbles is 20 to 1000 nm, preferably less than approximately 200 nm.

[0076] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a HRW generation system applied to plants on open fields according to an embodiment of the present invention. The disclosed HRW generation system shown in FIG. 5 also applies to plants grown indoors, such as in a greenhouse. As shown, hydrogen gas 502 from a cylinder is injected to a nanobubble generator 504 and a gas-liquid mixer or diffuser 506, respectively. Hydrogen nanobubbles are generated in water through the nanobubble generator 504 and then returned to a water tank 508 where a hydrogen nanobubble infused irrigation water, that is, the HRW-nano. is produced as described in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. A water-hydrogen gas mixture is formed by the liquid-gas mixer or diffuser 506 and then returned to a water tank 510 where a hydrogenated water is produced (HRW-regular). Here the mixer 506 may be static mixer. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the mixer 506 may be any mixers used in the art and commercially available. The nanobubble generator 504 is a device capable of generating hydrogen nanobubbles in water with average size of 20 to 1000 nm, preferably. Both HRW-nano from tank 508 and HRW-regular from tank 510 are used for irrigation of crops or plants, such as hemp, in the open fields. The hemp yields and the concentration of the main compound CBD in hemp were measured upon harvest. In this embodiment, a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) 512 is used to control the entire processes including hydrogen injections, hydrogen nanobubble generation, water-hydrogen gas mixture, feed water, discharges of both the HRW-nano and HRW-regular, and so on. The dashed lines in FIG. 5 show the required connections between components and the PLC 512 required for system operation. The feed water is fed to the tank 508 and tank 510, respectively, which is also controlled by the PLC 512 (not shown). The water fed to the nanobubble generator 504 and mixer or diffuser 506 are water streams 514 and 516 circulated from the tank 508 and tank 510, respectively. The irrigation using the HRW-nano. discharged from tank 508 to the hemp on the open field and the irrigation using the HRW-regular discharged from tank 510 to the hemp on the open field different from the hemp irrigated by the HRW are also controlled by the PLC 512 (not shown). The feed water used herein includes common irrigation water and/or nutrition medium, such as, fresh surface water, tap water, ground water, effluent water, wastewater already treated by a tertiary treatment process to meet irrigation requirements (e.g., California requires advanced physical-chemical treatment and extended disinfection to meet a coliform standard less than 2/100 mL), or the like. The feed water fed to the tank 508 and tank 510 may be from the same water source, or from different water sources.

EXAMPLES

[0077] The following non-limiting examples are provided to further illustrate embodiments of the invention. However, the examples are not intended to be all inclusive and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions described herein.

[0078] A comparison of three groups of hemp plants was done on an open field with different irrigation waters. The three groups of the hemp plants are the hemp plants that irrigated with (i) a HRW generated herein with hydrogen nanobubbles, in this document identified as HRW-nano; (ii) a HRW water produced by a conventional method, such as, static mixer or a Venturi injection under atmosphere conditions in this document identified as HRW-regular; and (iii) a control water, that is, water without dissolved hydrogen (hereafter “control”), respectively.

[0079] Each group consisted of 4 rows, 50 plants per each row and at a plant spacing of 48 inches between plants and with a row spacing of 60 inches. The experiment, in total, included 12 rows and 600 plants.

[0080] Soil samples were collected from all plots pre-harvest to evaluate if the fertilization could affect the results. Soil samples were analyzed for ammonium, nitrate, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sodium, and organic content. Minor adjustments were performed to ensure that all plots had the same properties.

[0081] For the field location, recommendations were 0.7 gallons of water per hour, per hemp plant with irrigation running 8 hours/day. During the periods of heavy rainfall, the soil moisture level was evaluated and the hemp plants were irrigated after the soil was dry.

[0082] A drip irrigation system was installed. The irrigation systems were covered with white plastic mulch to reduce weed growth.

[0083] The hemp plant seeds were planted in a greenhouse and were cultivated until the seedling developed a set of true leaves (approximately 3 weeks). The seedlings were then hand-transplanted to the field.

[0084] During the growing season, randomly selected plants were chosen for evaluation. For each condition (HRW-nano, HRW-regular, and Control), 10 randomly selected plants were selected per row (utilizing a random number generator), for a total of n=40 plants per condition. This was done for evaluation of the Average Weekly Height per Treatment, Average Weekly Chlorophyll Content per Treatment, True Leaf Count, and Average Bud Count Per Treatment.

[0085] Total Plant Height was measured by a yardstick(s) in inches.

[0086] Chlorophyll levels were measured using a SPAD-502 type meter. Measurements are taken by clamping the measuring head on the leaf. This procedure measured the nitrogen content in the plants and helped gage the health of the plants. For an indication of Growth Stage, number of days the plants acquire true leaves, secondary leaves, etc. was determined.

[0087] Growth Stage analysis determined by number of days the plants acquire true leaves, secondary leaves, etc.

[0088] After 96 days, the plants were harvested, followed by drying in a greenhouse for 3 days while flipping the plants three times a day to ensure the plants were completely dry. Total plant mass was measured by drying randomly selected samples from each group to compare total plant growth. Each plant was weighed on a calibrated scale.

[0089] Dried Floral mass (which includes buds and leaves) was then collected and ground. The dried, ground floral mass was then sent to a certified lab for CBC measurement. CBD was analyzed according to the method Storm, C. et al. Dedicated Cannabinoid Potency Testing for Cannabis or Hemp Products Using the Agilent 1220 Infinity II LC System. Agilent Technologies Application Note, Publication number 5991-9285, 2018.

[0090] Results were evaluated using standard statistical analyses methods. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and T-test were used to determine if the difference in the data from different hemp irrigation options were significant: Control (plain irrigation water), HRW-nano, and HRW-regular. The null hypothesis is rejected if this probability is less than or equal to the significance level (α=0.05). ANOVA test allows to test whether there is difference within all three of the treatment options. T-test was used to compare the means of Control vs HRW-regular, Control vs HRW-nano, and HRW-nano vs. HRW-regular.

Example 1: Weekly Average Height in Inches

[0091] Table 1 and FIG. 6 show the results for the Height parameter for the three groups. The results of ANOVA test for Height Parameter were statistically significant with a small effect size (η2_height=0.026), p-value=1.08817E−07 (α≤0.05). Post hoc analysis proved statistically significant results for both treatments with the control. T-test showed there is statistical significance within two treatments. Control vs. Nano: p=2.32E−08, Control vs. Regular p=1.89E−05. There was significant difference between HRW-nano vs. HRW-regular p=0.22.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Weeks Control Nano-Bubbles Regular-Bubbles Week 1 7.75 7.99 7.09 Week 2 9.17 9.76 8.96 Week 3 11.09 13.30 12.75 Week 4 14.35 17.59 17.46 Week 5 19.63 24.34 22.08 Week 6 26.27 32.23 30.50 Week 7 26.41 32.31 30.69 Week 8 27.30 35.52 35.70 Week 9 33.02 39.75 38.45 Week 10 33.26 39.95 38.62

Example 2: Chlorophyll Content (n=40)

[0092] Table 2 and FIG. 7 show weekly average the Chlorophyll Content parameter (n=40). Table 3 is average chlorophyll per treatment (n=40). The results of the ANOVA for chlorophyll content were statistically significant with a small effect size (η2=0.021) and p-value=0.000462861 (α≤0.05). Post hoc analysis proved statistically significant results for both treatments with control. T-test showed there is statistical significance within two treatments: Control vs. Nano: p=0.0036 and Control vs. Regular p=0.0002. HRW-rano vs. HRW-regular, however, was not significant: p=0.385.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Week Control Nano Bubbles Regular Bubbles Week 4 51.80 54.31 52.81 Week 5 49.51 53.82 53.85 Week 6 56.87 59.03 59.82 Week 7 57.96 59.42 60.04 Week 8 58.15 59.51 60.22 Week 9 53.11 52.01 54.61

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Average SD p Control 54.57 6.67 4.63E−04 Nano 56.35 6.70 Regular 56.89 6.93

Example 3: True Leaves

[0093] Table 4 and FIG. 8 show weekly average true leaf count (n=40). Table 5 is average true leaves (n=40). The results of the ANOVA for the True Leaf parameter at the time of harvest were statistically significant with an effect size (η2=0.3881) with p-value=5.34E−8 (α≤0.05). Post hoc analysis proved statistically significant results for both treatments with control. T-test showed there is statistical significance within two treatments: Control vs. Nano: p=7.49E−15, Control vs. Regular p=4.61E−11. T-Test for HRW-Nano vs. HRW-Regular showed there is no statistical significance: p=0.396.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Week Control Nano Bubbles Regular Bubbles Week 4 12.43 17.88 13.13 Week 5 18.48 30.18 27.33 Week 6 24.75 42.80 43.73 Week 7 32.73 44.15 45.53

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Average SD p Control 32.73 14.85 5.34E−8 Nano 44.15 7.11 Regular 45.53 5.89

Example 4: Buds

[0094] Table 6 and FIG. 9 show overall Bud Count parameters per treatment (n=40). The results of the ANOVA for Bud Count Parameter were not statistically significant with p-value=0.0723 (α>0.05). Post hoc analysis proved statistically significant results for one treatment with control. T-test showed there is no statistical significance within two treatments: Nano vs. Regular p=0.173 and Control vs. Regular p=0.33. Statistical significance was for Control vs. Nano: p=0.027.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Average SD p Control 24.53 8.27 7.23E−02 Nano 28.40 7.03 Regular 26.23 7.13

Example 5: Yield (Weight)

[0095] Table 7 and FIG. 10 show results the overall Yield parameters per treatment in kilograms (n=40). The results of the ANOVA for the Yield parameter were statistically significant, p=6.53E−22 (α<0.05). Post hoc analysis proved statistically significant results for both treatments with control. T-test showed there is statistical significance within all groups: Control vs. Nano: p=1.50E−16, Control vs. Regularp=4.79E−19, and Nano vs. Regular p=0.012. The plants irrigated with Regular and Nano HRW had two times greater biomass yield than the Control. Of note, HRW-nano produced lower yields than HRW-regular, although still much more than the Control. This slightly inferior result for HRW-nano is contrasted with the unexpected effect on CBD content described next.

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Average SD p Control 0.35 0.08 6.53E−22 Nano 0.58 0.12 Regular 0.66 0.15

Example 6: % CBD

[0096] Table 8 and FIG. 11 show the % CBD Parameters per Treatment (n=40). The Regular HRW treatment had the lowest % CBD at 9.01. The Control treatment had the lowest % CBD at 9.20. The HRW-nano treatment had the highest percent average CBD, 11.64, which is an increase of approximately 30% comparing to those of Control and regular HRW. Thus, with the HRW-nano treatment, the % CBD may be increased from approximately 20% to 40%. Additionally, the Regular treatment had the lowest CBD percentage at 9.01. The results of the ANOVA for % CBD Parameter were statistically significant, p=1.25E−08 (α<0.05). Post hoc analysis proved statistically significant results for one treatment with control. T-test showed there is statistical significance within two treatments: HWR-nano vs. Control: p=2.51E−06 and HRW-nano vs. HRW-regular p=3.69E−06. There was no statistical significance between Control vs. Regular p=0.18. This HRW-nano specific effect on CBD content is an unexpected difference with HRW-regular, even more surprising in view of the effect on yield weight.

TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Average SD p Control 9.20 0.02 1.25E−08 Nano 11.64 0.63 Regular 9.01 0.33

[0097] Although the subject matter described herein may be described in the context of illustrative implementations to process one or more computing application features/operations for a computing application having user-interactive components the subject matter is not limited to these particular embodiments. Rather, the techniques described herein can be applied to any suitable type of user-interactive component execution management methods, systems, platforms, and/or apparatus.

[0098] It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps, and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the invention, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments in the examples given above and/or the attached drawings.

[0099] While embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, modifications thereof may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or teaching of this invention. The embodiments described herein are exemplary only and not limiting. Many variations and modifications of the composition and method are possible and within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but is only limited by the claims which follow, the scope of which shall include all equivalents of the subject matter of the claims.