1. A plant-supporting polymer capable of forming a hydrogel, which has a crosslinked structure.
2. A support for cultivating a plant, comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure according to claim 1; the hydrogel-forming polymer showing a decrease in the equilibrium water absorption thereof along with an increase in temperature in the temperature range of not lower than 0 C. and not higher than 70 C., the equilibrium water absorption being reversibly changeable with respect to temperature.
3. A support for cultivating a plant according to claim 2, wherein at least water is retained in the crosslinked structure of the hydrogel-forming polymer so as to form a hydrogel containing the hydrogel-forming polymer.
4. A support for cultivating a plant according to claim 2, wherein a nutrient is retained in the crosslinked structure.
5. A support for cultivating a plant according to claim 2, wherein a plant growth-regulating substance is retained in the crosslinked structure.
6. A support for cultivating a plant according to any of claims 2-4, wherein the dimension in a dry state is in the range of 0.1 m-1 cm, and the shape thereof is any of micro-bead-type, fiber-type, film-type, sponge-type or indeterminate-type.
7. A soil-modifying agent, comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure according to claim 1; the hydrogel-forming polymer showing a decrease in the equilibrium water absorption thereof along with an increase in temperature in the temperature range of not lower than 0 C. and not higher than 70 C., the equilibrium water absorption being reversibly changeable with respect to temperature.
8. A soil-modifying agent according to claim 7, wherein at least water is retained in the crosslinked structure of the hydrogel-forming polymer so as to from a hydrogel containing the hydrogel-forming polymer.
9. A soil-modifying agent according to claim 7, wherein a nutrient is retained in the crosslinked structure.
10. A soil-modifying agent according to claim 7, wherein a plant growth-regulating substance is retained in the crosslinked structure.
11. A soil-modifying agent according to any of claims 7-10, wherein the dimension in a dry state is in the range of 0.1 m-1 cm, and the shape thereof is any of micro-bead-type, fiber-type, film-type, sponge-type or indeterminate-type.
12. A support for cultivating a plant, comprising, at least a carrier for supporting a plant; and
a soil-modifying agent, comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure according to claim 1; the hydrogel-forming polymer showing a decrease in the equilibrium water absorption thereof along with an increase in temperature in the temperature range of not lower than 0 C. and not higher than 70 C., the equilibrium water absorption being reversibly changeable with respect to temperature.
13. A support for cultivating a plant according to claim 12, wherein the plant-supporting carrier comprises at least one kind of carrier selected from: soil, gravel, sand, pumice, carbide, peat, vermiculite, bark, pearlite, zeolite, rock wool, sponge, peat-moss, crushed coconut shell and crypo-moss.
14. A support for cultivating a plant according to claim 12, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer has been added to the plant-supporting carrier in an amount of 0.1-10 wt., in terms of the weight in a dry state.
15. A method of cultivating a plant, comprising:
disposing a plant-cultivating support at least around a plant; and
cultivating the plant while supporting the plant by the plant-cultivating support;
the plant-cultivating support comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure according to claim 1; the hydrogel-forming polymer showing a decrease in the equilibrium water absorption thereof along with an increase in temperature in the temperature range of not lower than 0 C. and not higher than 70 C., the equilibrium water absorption being reversibly changeable with respect to temperature.
16. A method of cultivating a plant according to claim 15, wherein the plant is cultivated in a vessel having a closed-type lower portion.
17. A method of cultivating a plant, comprising:
disposing a plant-cultivating support at least around Kilo a plant; and
cultivating the plant while supporting the plant by the plant-cultivating support;
the plant-cultivating support comprising a plant-supporting carrier, and a soil-modifying agent added to the carrier in an amount of 0.1-10 wt., in terms of the weight in a dry state; the soil-modifying agent comprising a hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure according to claim 1; the hydrogel-forming polymer showing a decrease in the equilibrium water absorption thereof along with an increase in temperature in the temperature range of not lower than 0 C. and not higher than 70 C., the equilibrium water absorption being reversibly changeable with respect to temperature.
18. A method of cultivating a plant according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the cultivation is conducted under a non-sterilized condition.
19. A method of cultivating a plant according to claim 17, wherein the cultivation under a non-sterilized condition is conducted in open-air field or facility.
20. A method of cultivating a plant according to claim 17, wherein the cultivation is conducted in a vessel having a closed-type lower portion.
21. A vessel for growing a plant, comprising:
a base material in the form of a vessel which is capable of accommodating therein at least a part of a plant; and
a hydrogel-forming polymer disposed in the inside of the vessel-form base material; the hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure according to claim 1.
22. A vessel for growing a plant according to claim 21, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is fixed in the inside of the vessel to be retained therein.
23. A vessel for growing a plant according to claim 22, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is retained in the inside of the vessel in the form of a continuous layer.
24. A vessel for growing a plant according to claim 22, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is retained in the inside of the vessel in a non-continuous state.
25. A vessel for growing a plant according to claim 22, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is in the form of powder or particles, and has a dimension of 0.1 m-5 mm in a dry state.
26. A vessel for growing a plant according to claim 22, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is retained in the inside of the vessel by the medium of a layer of a sticking agent or adhesive.
27. A vessel for growing a plant according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer shows a decrease in the equilibrium water absorption thereof along with an increase in temperature in the temperature range of not lower than 0 C. and not higher than 70 C., the equilibrium water absorption being reversibly changeable with respect to Kilo temperature.
28. A vessel for growing a plant according to claim 21, which has a closed-type lower portion.
29. A sheet for growing a plant, comprising:
a base material in the form of a sheet; and
a hydrogel-forming polymer disposed on at least one of the surfaces of the sheet; the hydrogel-forming polymer having a crosslinked structure according to claim 1.
30. A sheet for growing a plant according to claim 29, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is fixed on the surface of the sheet to be retained thereon.
31. A sheet for growing a plant according to claim 29, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is retained on the surface of the sheet in the form of a continuous layer.
32. A sheet for growing a plant according to claim 29, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is retained on the surface of the sheet in a non-continuous state.
33. A sheet for growing a plant according to claim 29, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is in the shape of powder or particles, and has a dimension of 0.1 m-5 mm in a dry state.
34. A sheet for growing a plant according to claim 29, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is retained on the surface of the sheet by the medium of a layer of a sticking agent or adhesive.
35. A sheet for growing a plant according to claim 29, wherein a sticking agent or adhesive is disposed on the surface which is disposed opposite to the surface on which the hydrogel-forming polymer is disposed.
36. A sheet for growing a plant according to claim 29, which has a partition from capable of providing at least one cell.
37. A Sheet for growing a plant according to claim 29, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer shows a decrease in the equilibrium water absorption thereof along with an increase in temperature in the temperature range of not lower than 0 C. and not higher than 70 C., the equilibrium water absorption being reversibly changeable with respect to temperature.
38. A method of growing a plant, comprising:
(a) culturing a plant under a ventilation-restricted condition by using a gel-type support comprising at least water and a hydrogel-forming polymer having crosslinked structure according to claim 1; and
(b) cultivating the plant under a ventilation non-restricted condition by using the gel-like support disposed in contact with the plant after the culturing, substantially as it is.
39. A method of growing a plant according to claim 38, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is in the form of powder or particles.
40. A method of growing a plant according to claim 38, wherein the water in the step (a) constitutes a component of a liquid culture medium.
41. A method of growing a plant according to claim 38, wherein the gel-like support is one which has been obtained by causing the hydrogel-forming polymer to absorb the water.
42. A method of growing a plant according to claim 38, wherein the gel-like support is shrunk so as to discharge the liquid culture medium after the step (a) and before the step (b).
43. A method of growing a plant according to claim 38, wherein the gel-like support is further caused to absorb a liquid after the step (a) and before the step (b).
44. A method of growing a plant according to claim 6, wherein the liquid is a fertilizer for cultivation.
45. A method of growing a plant according to claim 38, wherein the gel-like support is shrunk so as to discharge the liquid culture medium, and the gel is further caused to absorb a liquid after the step (a) and before the step (b).
46. A method of growing a plant according to claim 38, wherein the liquid culture medium is one containing a saccharide.
47. A method of growing a plant according to claim 38, wherein the culturing in the step (a) is conducted under a sterilized condition.
48. A method of growing a plant according to claim 38, wherein the culturing in the step (a) is conducted in a vessel having a plurality of sections with respect to a plurality of plants disposed in the respective sections.
49. A method of growing a plant according to claim 38, wherein the gel-like support is used in a state such that it has been mixed with another porous material.
50. A method of growing a plant according to claim 38, wherein the porous material comprises at least one kind of carrier selected from: pearlite, vermiculite, pumice, ceramic, zeolite, sponge, sponge gourd fiber, rock wool, crushed coconut shell, bark, peat moss, Bakuhan-stone, carbide, and wool.
51. A method of growing a plant according to claim 38, wherein the hydrogel-forming polymer is one obtained by crosslinking a polymer compound having an LCST (Lower Critical Solution Temperature).
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A thermoelectric cooling device comprising:
a liquid heat exchanger including a liquid circulation path through which liquid coolant flows to exchange heat with the liquid heat exchanger;
a first air heat exchanger over which air flows to exchange heat with the first air heat exchanger;
a second air heat exchanger over which air flows to exchange heat with the second air heat exchanger;
a first thermoelectric module thermally coupled on a first side with a first side of the liquid heat exchanger and on a second side with the first air heat exchanger to transfer heat between the first air heat exchanger and the liquid heat exchanger; and
a second thermoelectric module thermally coupled on a first side with a second side of the liquid heat exchanger and on a second side with the second air heat exchanger to transfer heat between the second air heat exchanger and the liquid heat exchanger.
2. The thermoelectric cooling device of claim 1, the first air heat exchanger including thermally conductive fins that enhance thermal conductance between the air which flows over the first air heat exchanger and the first air heat exchanger.
3. The thermoelectric cooling device of claim 1, the liquid heat exchanger including a separator that separates the liquid circulation path into an upper circulation path and a lower circulation path, the upper circulation path guiding the liquid coolant at a given planar coordinate alongside one side of the separator to flow in one direction and the lower circulation path guiding the liquid coolant at the same given planar coordinate alongside the opposite side of the separator to flow in a substantially opposite direction.
4. The thermoelectric cooling device of claim 3, the liquid heat exchanger including an inlet through which the liquid coolant enters the upper circulation path from outside the liquid heat exchanger and an outlet through which the liquid coolant exits the lower circulation path to outside the liquid heat exchanger, and the separator including a hole through which the liquid coolant passes through the separator from the upper circulation path to the lower circulation path.
5. The thermoelectric cooling device of claim 3, the upper circulation path including upper fins adjacent the separator on the one side of the separator, and the lower circulation path including lower fins adjacent the separator on the opposite side of the separator, the upper fins guiding a path of the upper circulation path and the lower fins guiding a path of the lower circulation path.
6. The thermoelectric cooling device of claim 5, the upper fins and the lower fins arranged in a serpentine pattern that guides the liquid coolant in the upper circulation path and the liquid coolant in the lower circulation path to flow in substantially opposite directions from one another along opposite sides of the separator.
7. The thermoelectric cooling device of claim 3, the liquid circulation path being separated into a plurality of pairs of upper circulation paths and lower circulation paths disposed in parallel with one another.
8. A compartment chiller comprising:
a housing;
a chilled compartment disposed within the housing;
a liquid heat exchanger including a liquid circulation path through which liquid coolant flows to exchange heat with the liquid heat exchanger;
a first air heat exchanger over which air flows to exchange heat with the first air heat exchanger before chilling the chilled compartment;
a second air heat exchanger over which air flows to exchange heat with the second air heat exchanger before chilling the chilled compartment;
a first thermoelectric module thermally coupled on a first side with a first side of the liquid heat exchanger and on a second side with the first air heat exchanger to transfer heat between the first air heat exchanger and the liquid heat exchanger; and
a second thermoelectric module thermally coupled on a first side with a second side of the liquid heat exchanger and on a second side with the second air heat exchanger to transfer heat between the second air heat exchanger and the liquid heat exchanger.
9. The compartment chiller of claim 8, the first air heat exchanger including thermally conductive fins that enhance thermal conductance between the air which flows over the first air heat exchanger and the first air heat exchanger.
10. The compartment chiller of claim 8, the liquid heat exchanger including a separator that separates the liquid circulation path into an upper circulation path and a lower circulation path, the upper circulation path guiding the liquid coolant at a given planar coordinate alongside one side of the separator to flow in one direction and the lower circulation path guiding the liquid coolant at the same given planar coordinate alongside the opposite side of the separator to flow in a substantially opposite direction.
11. The compartment chiller of claim 10, the liquid heat exchanger including an inlet through which the liquid coolant enters the upper circulation path from outside the liquid heat exchanger and an outlet through which the liquid coolant exits the lower circulation path to outside the liquid heat exchanger, and the separator including a hole through which the liquid coolant passes through the separator from the upper circulation path to the lower circulation path.
12. The compartment chiller of claim 10, the upper circulation path including upper fins adjacent the separator on the one side of the separator, and the lower circulation path including lower fins adjacent the separator on the opposite side of the separator, the upper fins defining the upper circulation path and the lower fins defining the lower circulation path.
13. The compartment chiller of claim 12, the upper fins and the lower fins arranged in a serpentine pattern that guides the liquid coolant in the upper circulation path and the liquid coolant in the lower circulation path to flow in substantially opposite directions from one another along opposite sides of the separator.
14. The compartment chiller of claim 10, the liquid circulation path being separated into a plurality of pairs of upper circulation paths and lower circulation paths disposed in parallel with one another.
15. A method of chilling air using a thermoelectric cooling device comprising a liquid heat exchanger including a liquid circulation path through which liquid coolant flows, a first air heat exchanger, a second air heat exchanger, a first thermoelectric module thermally coupled on a first side with a first side of the liquid heat exchanger and on a second side with the first air heat exchanger, and a second thermoelectric module thermally coupled on a first side with a second side of the liquid heat exchanger and on a second side with the second air heat exchanger, the method comprising:
circulating liquid coolant through the liquid heat exchanger to exchange heat with the liquid heat exchanger to cool the liquid heat exchanger;
flowing warm first air over the first air heat exchanger to exchange heat with the first air heat exchanger to cool the first air;
flowing warm second air over the second air heat exchanger to exchange heat with the second air heat exchanger to cool the second air;
transferring heat between the first air heat exchanger and the liquid heat exchanger to cool the first air heat exchanger; and
transferring heat between the second air heat exchanger and the liquid heat exchanger to cool the second air heat exchanger.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising flowing the warm first air over thermally conductive fins that enhance thermal conductance between the warm first air and the first air heat exchanger.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising separating the liquid circulation path into an upper circulation path and a lower circulation path using a separator, the upper circulation path guiding the liquid coolant at a given planar coordinate alongside one side of the separator to flow in one direction and the lower circulation path guiding the liquid coolant at the same given planar coordinate alongside the opposite side of the separator to flow in a substantially opposite direction.
18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:
the liquid coolant entering the upper circulation path from outside the liquid heat exchanger through an inlet;
the liquid coolant exiting the lower circulation path to outside the liquid heat exchanger through an outlet; and
the liquid coolant passing through the a hole in the separator from the upper circulation path to the lower circulation path.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising guiding the liquid coolant in the upper circulation path and the liquid coolant in the lower circulation path to flow in substantially opposite directions from one another along opposite sides of the separator using upper fins and lower fins arranged in a serpentine pattern.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising guiding the liquid coolant in a plurality of pairs of upper circulation paths and lower circulation paths disposed in parallel with one another.