# US 11,993,764 B2 · Devices for studying plant-fungus interactions and for imaging plant roots

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- Number: US 11,993,764 B2
- Document ID: US11993764B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/886,849
- Filed: 2020-05-29
- Published: 2020-12-10
- Granted: 2024-05-28
- Earliest claimed: 2019-06-05
- Assignees: The Regents of the University of California
- Applicants: The Regents of the University of California; National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
- Inventors: Jens Heller; Lauren Jabusch; Peter Kim; Trent Northen; N. Louise Glass
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11993764B2

## CPC

- A01G 31/02: Special apparatus therefor (self-acting watering devices A01G27/00)
- C12M 23/34: {Internal compartments or partitions}
- C12M 23/22: {Transparent or translucent parts (glassware for laboratory use B01L3/00)}
- C12M 25/02: {Membranes; Filters (filters or filtration in general B01D24/00-B01D41/00)}
- G01N 33/0098: {Plants or trees (wood G01N33/46)}
- A01G 18/64: Cultivation containers; Lids 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)
- C12M: APPARATUS FOR ENZYMOLOGY OR MICROBIOLOGY; {APPARATUS FOR CULTURING MICROORGANISMS FOR PRODUCING BIOMASS, FOR GROWING CELLS OR FOR OBTAINING FERMENTATION OR METABOLIC PRODUCTS, i.e. BIOREACTORS OR FERMENTERS}
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to the determination of ecological processes. In one aspect, a device includes a base and a substrate in contact with a first side of the base. The base defines a stem port. The substrate and the first side of the base define a chamber. The chamber includes a root chamber and a first nutrient chamber. The root chamber and the first nutrient chamber are separated by a first mesh having openings of about 1 micron to 300 microns. The device is operable to house a plant, with roots of the plant being in the root chamber, and a stem of the plant passing through the stem port.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A device comprising:
a base;
a substrate in contact with a first side of the base, the base defining a stem port, the substrate and the first side of the base defining a chamber, the chamber including a root chamber and a first nutrient chamber, the root chamber and the first nutrient chamber being separated by a first mesh having openings of about 1 micron to 300 microns, and the device operable to house a plant, roots of the plant being in the root chamber, and a stem of the plant passing through the stem port.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the chamber further includes a second nutrient chamber, and wherein the root chamber and the second nutrient chamber are separated by a second mesh having openings of about 1 micron to 300 microns.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the first mesh is operable to prevent roots from growing into the first nutrient chamber, and wherein the first mesh is operable to allow fungi to pass between the first nutrient chamber and the root chamber.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the first mesh comprises a stainless steel mesh.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, further comprising:
a gasket, wherein the gasket is disposed between the base and the substrate.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises a sheet of glass.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the stem port is about 1 millimeter to 5 millimeters.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a polymer.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein the base comprises polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS).

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, wherein a volume of the chamber is about 4 milliliters to 20 milliliters.