# US 10,863,681 B2 · Aeroponics system with microfluidic die and sensors for feedback control

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- Number: US 10,863,681 B2
- Document ID: US10863681B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/168,746
- Filed: 2018-10-23
- Published: 2019-02-21
- Granted: 2020-12-15
- Earliest claimed: 2015-12-30
- Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
- Applicants: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
- Inventors: Marco De Fazio; Simon Dodd
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10863681B2

## CPC

- A01G 25/02: Watering arrangements located above the soil which make use of perforated pipe-lines or pipe-lines with dispensing fittings, e.g. for drip irrigation
- A01G 31/02: Special apparatus therefor (self-acting watering devices A01G27/00)
- G05B 15/02: electric
- A01G 9/14: Greenhouses
- G05B 2219/2625: Sprinkler, irrigation, watering
- Y02A 40/25: Greenhouse technology, e.g. cooling systems therefor
- Y02P 60/21: Dinitrogen oxide [N2O], e.g. using aquaponics, hydroponics or efficiency measures
- A01G: HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING (picking of fruits, vegetables, hops or the like A01D46/00; propagating unicellular algae C12N1/12)
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- Y02A: TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a greenhouse or single container for plant growth coupled to the Internet of Things and including a microfluidic die for water or nutrient distribution. The microfluidic die is controllable automatically or with instructions from a remote user, based on sensors included within a growth environment.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system, comprising:
a container having a central axis;
a fluid transport in the container; and
a plurality of microfluidic die positioned within the container around the central axis, the plurality of microfluidic die being coupled to the fluid transport, and each microfluidic die of the plurality of microfluidic die including:
a first surface;
a second surface; and
a plurality of nozzles at the second surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first surfaces of the microfluidic die face each other.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid transport is coupled to the first surfaces of the plurality of microfluidic die.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein each plurality of nozzles is configured to create a mist pattern in use, each of the mist patterns being directed towards an interior wall of the container.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the second surfaces of the plurality of microfluidic die face each other and are spaced apart from each other around the central axis.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein each plurality of nozzles is configured to create a mist pattern in use, each of the mist patterns being directed towards the central axis of the container.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid transport includes a plurality of fluid transport members, each fluid transport member coupled to at least one of the first surfaces of the plurality of microfluidic die.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the first surface each microfluidic die of the plurality of microfluidic die is positioned adjacent to an interior wall of the container and coupled to the fluid transport, the fluid transport passing through the interior wall of the container.

### Claim 9

An aeroponics system, comprising:
a container configured to support and nurture at least one plant;
a fluid reservoir; and
a microfluidic delivery member including:
a plurality of printed circuit boards; and
a plurality of microfluidic die.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The aeroponics system of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), at least one of the plurality of ASICs being on a same one of the printed circuit boards as one of the plurality of microfluidic die.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The aeroponics system of claim 9, wherein some printed circuit boards of the plurality of printed circuit boards have at least one of the microfluidic die of the plurality of microfluidic die coupled to the printed circuit boards.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The aeroponics system of claim 9, wherein the microfluidic delivery member includes a plurality of sensors positioned adjacent to ones of the plurality of microfluidic die.

### Claim 13 (depends on 9)

The aeroponics system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of printed circuit boards are coupled together, the plurality of microfluidic die being coupled to ones of the printed circuit boards.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The aeroponics system of claim 13, wherein each one of the plurality of printed circuit boards includes at least one of the plurality of microfluidic die.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The aeroponics system of claim 13, further comprising a fluid transport, the plurality of printed circuit boards are physically and electrically coupled together and positioned around an end of the fluid transport.

### Claim 16

An aeroponics system, comprising:
a container including a bottom surface, a sidewall transverse to the bottom surface, and an opening in the sidewall, the container being configured to support and nurture at least one plant;
a fluid transport passes through the opening in the sidewall; and
a first microfluidic delivery member positioned adjacent to an interior surface of the sidewall of the container, the first microfluidic delivery member includes a microfluidic die coupled to the fluid transport, the microfluidic die having at least one heater and a fluid ejection surface transverse to the bottom surface of the container.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The aeroponics system of claim 16, wherein the at least one microfluidic delivery member includes:
a printed circuit board coupled to the microfluidic die.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The aeroponics system of claim 17, wherein the at least one microfluidic delivery member includes a sensor coupled to the printed circuit board.

### Claim 19 (depends on 16)

The aeroponics system of claim 16, further comprising a sensor positioned within the container and coupled to an interior wall of the container.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The aeroponics system of claim 16, wherein the fluid transport is coupled to a fluid reservoir.

### Claim 21 (depends on 16)

The aeroponics system of claim 16, further comprising a plug material in the opening in the sidewall of the container, the plug material surrounds a portion of the fluid transport that passes through the opening.

### Claim 22 (depends on 16)

The aeroponics system of claim 16, further comprising a second microfluidic delivery member positioned adjacent to the interior surface of the sidewall of the container.