Abstract: A hydro-thermo irrigation mat (10) is comprised of a base sheet (11), a water-permeable root-shielding top sheet (12), and a capillary mat (15) of absorbent material therebetween. One or more flat pliable drip tapes (18) are loosely disposed in spaced-apart relationship between the top sheet (12) and the capillary mat (15). Hot water convection tubes (25) are disposed co-axially with the drip tapes (18) but between the base sheet (11) and the capillary mat (15). The drip tapes (18) are connected to a water supply line (22) and the hot water convection tubes (25) are secured to a hot water supply line (28). Water within the mat is heated and distributes heat from the hot water convection tubes (25) substantially throughout the mat.

Abstract: An atomic layer deposition method which comprises forming a metal oxide thin film by using, as a group IV metal precursor, a complex of a formula M(L)2 in which M is a group IV metal ion having a charge of +4 and L is a tridentate ligand having a charge of −2, the ligand being represented by the following formula (I): wherein each of R1 and R2, independently, is a linear or branched C1-4 alkyl group; and R3 is a linear or branched C1-5 alkylene group. The group IV metal precursor exhibits excellent thermal and chemical stabilities under a carrier gas atmosphere, whereas it has high reactivity with a reaction gas.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for growing plants is disclosed. The system includes a first thermal panel with multiple flow channels, the thermal panel being located between a growing space and a light source. A cooling fluid is circulated in a countercurrent flow pattern (i.e. in at least two different directions). The channels may be connected to one or more headers, which serve as a fluid manifold to deliver fluid and collect fluid from the flow channels. Growing closely spaced plants from seed or cuttings to transplants for the field or a greenhouse is one application of this system.