Apparatus and Method for Delivering Beneficial Agents to Subterranean Locations

A method for delivering a beneficial agent to a plant, the method comprising:

• collecting water into a water collection chamber;
• transporting the water through a water-transporting membrane into an extraction chamber, thereby expanding the extraction chamber;
• dispensing a beneficial agent from a dispensing chamber in response to expanding the extraction chamber;
• and
• delivering the beneficial agent to a plant through multiple delivery channels to multiple discrete locations.

An apparatus to provide controlled delivery of a beneficial agent to a subterranean location, the apparatus comprising:

• a water chamber;
• a water-transporting membrane in communication with the water chamber;
• an extraction chamber to receive water from the water chamber through the water-transporting membrane and into the extraction chamber, thereby expanding the extraction chamber;
• a dispensing chamber containing a beneficial agent and contracting in response to expanding the extraction chamber;
• a delivery channel in communication with the dispensing chamber to deliver the beneficial agent;
• and
• a rate adjustment mechanism to control the rate at which water is received through the water-transporting membrane.

An apparatus to provide controlled delivery of a beneficial agent to a subterranean location, the apparatus comprising:

• a water collection chamber having a substantially open end to collect water;
• a water-transporting membrane in communication with the water collection chamber;
• an extraction chamber to receive water through the water-transporting membrane and into the extraction chamber, thereby expanding the extraction chamber;
• a dispensing chamber containing a beneficial agent and contracting in response to expanding the extraction chamber;
• a flexible diaphragm disposed between the extraction chamber and the dispensing chamber, the flexible diaphragm comprising a plurality layers having a separator material between the plurality of layers, and wherein the separator material comprises a hydrophobic material;
• a subterranean delivery channel in communication with the dispensing chamber to deliver the beneficial agent to a subterranean location;
• and
• a rate adjustment mechanism to control the rate at which water is received through the water-transporting membrane.