Solid hydrogel media and methods of preparation and use therefor
AssigneeMoasis Inc
InventorsNaihong Li, Quan Gu, Jen-chieh Wu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solid hydrogel media is provided comprising a suitable hydrophilic hydrogel material, admixed with at least one soil substrate material, and provided in a solid substantially dry form which may be shaped in any convenient or desired shape or configuration. Further, methods of preparation of a solid hydrogel media are also provided. A method of raising an effective groundwater table level for providing water to plants is also provided.
Claims22
A solid hydrogel media, comprising:
- a hydrophilic hydrogel material and
- at least one soil substrate material admixed with said hydrophilic hydrogel material,
- wherein said solid hydrogel media is solid and substantially dry.
A method of preparing a solid hydrogel comprising:
- preparing a pre-polymerization mixture of reactants for polymerization of a hydrophilic polymer hydrogel material;
- adding at least one soil substrate material to the pre-polymerization mixture;
- and
- polymerizing the hydrophilic polymer hydrogel material in the presence of the at least one soil substrate material,
- thereby forming the solid hydrogel media.
A method of preparing a solid hydrogel media, comprising:
- providing a pre-polymerization mixture of reactants for polymerization of a hydrophilic polymer hydrogel material;
- heating the pre-polymerization mixture to a first polymerization temperature;
- applying the pre-polymerization mixture onto a layer of at least one soil substrate material;
- and
- polymerizing the hydrophilic polymer hydrogel material in the presence of the soil substrate material,
- thereby forming the solid hydrogel media.
15-20. (canceled)
A method of preparing a solid hydrogel media product comprising:
- providing a hydrophilic hydrogel in particulate form;
- hydrating the hydrophilic hydrogel by mixing with water to form a flowable substantially liquid hydrated gel;
- adding at least one soil substrate material to the flowable hydrated gel to form a mixture of hydrated hydrogel and soil substrate material;
- drying the mixture of hydrogel and soil substrate material to form a solid hydrogel media;
- and
- configuring the solid hydrogel media into a desired shape, thereby forming the solid hydrogel media product.
25-27. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.