Abstract:
A method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to plants includes positioning a distal portion of a microporous hydrophobic tubing coated with a hydrophilic polymer adjacent a root system of a plant and channeling an aqueous solution from an inlet to the distal portion through a lumen. The tubing along the distal portion has a porosity adapted for permitting a flow of the aqueous solution therethrough when acted upon by a surfactant root exudate generated by the roots due to water stress. The aqueous solution is held in a reservoir, from which it can be channeled to the hydrophilic device's inlet. A nutrient solution can also be channeled to the plant roots via additional tubing.
Abstract:
A system and method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to plants includes a hydrophilic solution-channeling device having a delivery portion positionable adjacent a root system of a plant. The solution-channeling device has a lumen therethrough for channeling a solution from an inlet to the delivery portion. At least a portion of the delivery portion has a porosity adapted for permitting a flow of the solution therethrough when acted upon by at least one of a surfactant root exudate and negative root pressure generated by the plant roots, for example, when experiencing water stress and/or a need for nutrients. The system also includes a pressure regulating device for providing at least a minimum pressure value to permit fluid to flow through the lumen and at most a maximum pressure value above which fluid flows through the lumen even in the absence of surfactant root exudate or negative root pressure.
Abstract:
A system and method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to plants includes a microporous hydrophobic tubing coated with a hydrophilic polymer that has a delivery portion positionable adjacent a root system of a plant and a lumen for channeling an aqueous solution from an inlet to the delivery portion. The tubing along the delivery portion has a porosity adapted for permitting a flow of the aqueous solution therethrough when acted upon by a surfactant root exudate generated by the roots due to water stress. A pressure regulating device is upstream of the tubing's inlet, and a reservoir adapted for holding the aqueous solution therein is situated in fluid communication with an upstream end of the pressure regulating device. Additional tubing can be provided for channeling a nutrient solution to the plant roots.
Abstract:
A system and method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to plants includes a microporous hydrophobic tubing coated with a hydrophilic polymer that has a distal portion positionable adjacent a root system of a plant and a lumen for channeling an aqueous solution from an inlet to the distal portion. The tubing along the distal portion has a porosity adapted for permitting a flow of the aqueous solution therethrough when acted upon by a surfactant root exudate generated by the roots due to water stress. A pressure regulating device is upstream of the tubing's inlet, and a reservoir adapted for holding the aqueous solution therein is situated in fluid communication with an upstream end of the pressure regulating device. Additional tubing can be provided for channeling a nutrient solution to the plant roots.
Abstract:
A system and method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to plants includes a microporous hydrophobic tubing coated with a hydrophilic polymer that has a distal portion positionable adjacent a root system of a plant and a lumen for channeling an aqueous solution from an inlet to the distal portion. The tubing along the distal portion has a porosity adapted for permitting a flow of the aqueous solution therethrough when acted upon by a surfactant root exudate generated by the roots due to water stress. A reservoir is adapted for holding the aqueous solution therein and is situated in fluid communication with the hydrophilic device's inlet. Additional tubing can be provided for channeling a nutrient solution to the plant roots.
Abstract:
A composition for coating a water-contacting surface for reducing kinematic friction, preventing corrosion and blistering, reducing water impact noise, and absorbing water shock includes a polymer including a polyhydroxystyrene of the novolak type. In alternate embodiments the composition also includes an antifouling agent, a gel coating material, and/or an epoxy. A method includes coating a water-contacting surface with the composition, preferably in a solution in an appropriate solvent, such as a low-molecular-weight oxygenated hydrocarbon such as an alcohol or a ketone. Application of the composition to a water-submersible or -contacting surface results in a hydrophilic surface having a considerably reduced contact angle, permitting increased speed and improving fuel efficiency.
Abstract:
A composition as a strong surfactant such as a fluorosurfactant for breaking down the adhesive bond and removing cured silicone and other adhesives. The fluorosurfactant demonstrates improved effectiveness and rate of removal of these adhesives over all other known products currently available.
Abstract:
A method for efficiently delivering an aqueous solution to plants includes positioning a distal portion of a microporous hydrophobic tubing coated with a hydrophilic polymer adjacent a root system of a plant and channeling an aqueous solution from an inlet to the distal portion through a lumen. The tubing along the distal portion has a porosity adapted for permitting a flow of the aqueous solution therethrough when acted upon by a surfactant root exudate generated by the roots due to water stress. The aqueous solution is held in a reservoir, from which it can be channeled to the hydrophilic device's inlet. A nutrient solution can also be channeled to the plant roots via additional tubing.
Abstract:
The composition for coating marine watercraft has the property of reducing kinematic friction and includes a polymer comprising a polyhydroxystyrene of the novolak type. In a preferred embodiment the composition further comprises an antifouling agent. One of the methods entails coating an outer surface of a marine watercraft with the composition. Preferably the composition is applied in a solution in an appropriate solvent, for example, a low-molecular-weight oxygenated hydrocarbon such as an alcohol or ketone. The coated surface is smooth and free of tackiness and thus is not fouled by common water debris such as sand and weeds. The coating is insoluble in water and resists abrasion, giving a functional lifetime that has been estimated to be a few years of continuous use. An application of the composition of the present invention to a water-submersible surface results in a hydrophilic surface having a considerably reduced contact angle. Thus the use of the coating is beneficial on watercraft to increase the speed thereof and/or to improve the fuel utilization.
Abstract:
A composition for coating an aqueous-solution-contacting surface for reducing kinematic friction, preventing corrosion and blistering, reducing water impact noise, and absorbing water shock includes a polymer including a polyhydroxystyrene of the novolak type. In alternate embodiments the composition also includes an antifouling agent, a gel coating material, or an epoxy. A method includes coating an aqueous-solution-contacting surface with the composition, preferably in a solution in an appropriate solvent, such as a low-molecular-weight oxygenated hydrocarbon such as alcohol or ketone. Application of the composition to a water-submersible or -contacting surface results in a hydrophilic surface having a considerably reduced contact angle, permitting increased speed and improving fuel efficiency.