Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for labeling items, wherein the labels contain digital information and can be read when desired. The coding of the labels is done by choosing specifically engineered nano-particles, micro-particles, or liquid material in the form of “ink.” The particles are designed to contain materials with distinguishable NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) or NQR (Nuclear quadrupole resonance) frequencies and are combined in sets to encode digital information. The NMR/NQR label particle sets are printed on the item to be labeled, or on a label substrate which is then attached to the item to be labeled. In one embodiment, the printed NMR/NQR label consists of an array of spots, each of which may encode one or more digital characters. These spots can be detected and the digital information in the label can be read using a suitable magnetic resonance detector.

Abstract: A method is provided for manufacturing a new class of transparent and fluorescent colorants, such as printing inks suitable for use in process printing or non-process printing. The method includes generally two steps. In one embodiment, first, one or more types of fluorescent nanodots, or nanocrystal fluorophores, are selected for creating an ink of a predefined color. Second, the selected nanodots are combined (e.g., by doping process) with a transparent base ink to create a transparent and fluorescent ink of the predefined color. Due to the wide color variety of nanodots, such transparent and fluorescent printing inks may be produced as primaries in more colors than conventional transparent or fluorescent inks, and further can be selectively combined (i.e., overprinted) to create an unlimited number of secondary and tertiary colors.

Abstract: A two stage printing process that includes a digital first stage in the form of a non-contact material metering device, such as one or more digital inkjet heads, for selectively discharging a metered quantity of material, and an analog second stage, such as flexographic print and impression cylinders, for transferring the material deposited thereon by the non-contact material metering device onto a substrate.

Abstract: A digital die cutting system including at least a first addressable die cutter having a surface carrying a plurality of knives in an array, each of the knives extendable and retractable above and below the surface is presented/provided. A controller is provided for individually addressing, and extending, and retracting the knives above and below the surface. A central processing unit receives an image of a pattern to be cut by selected ones of the knives, processes that image for a controller, which then extends selected ones of the knives to correspond to the shape of the pattern. The die cutter is then presented by conventional apparatus to the surface of a panel to be die cut when at least some of the knives are extended.

Abstract: A combination end seal and cotyledon restraint (20) for an artificial seed (22) is provided. The combination end seal and cotyledon restraint includes a cap portion (30) sized to substantially seal one end of an artificial seed and a cotyledon restraint (32) unitarily formed with the cap portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an artificial seed (20) is provided. The method includes transporting a seed shell (22) to a media fill station (300) and depositing media (26) into the seed shell. The method also includes sealing (28) the media within one end of the seed shell, depositing an embryo (42) within the seed shell, and sealing (44) the embryo within the seed shell.

Abstract: A method of attaching an end seal (20) to a manufactured seed (22). The method includes the step of positioning a first manufactured seed on a surface (42). The first manufactured seed includes a seed coat (24) having an opening (12) and an embryo (30) disposed within the opening, the opening having a location relative to the surface. The method further includes prestressing an area (38) of a sheet (50) and positioning the sheet on the first manufactured seed to substantially center the area over the opening, such that the embryo is located below the area. The method also includes the step of attaching the sheet to the first manufactured seed to seal the opening.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing system includes a fluid dispensing pump interchangeably connected to a fluid dispensing pump manipulator that is capable of translating the fluid dispensing pump between two known positions along the Z-axis, and at least one open ended container, such as a seedcoat, disposed below the fluid dispensing pump for receiving fluid therefrom. The fluid dispensing system further includes a controller. The controller 30 sends control signals for automating the fluid dispensing process.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an artificial seed blank (20) is provided. The method includes placing a seed shell (22) on one of a plurality of receptacle (72) containing an end seal formation material (218) at the first assembly station. The method also includes forming an end seal (200) at one end of the seed shell by permitting the predetermined amount of an end seal formation material to change state. Further, the method includes depositing media (26) into the seed shell and positioning the seed shell at a second assembly station. The method also includes removing the seed shell from the receptacle at the second assembly station.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an artificial seed blank (20) is provided. The method includes placing a restraint (324) on one of a plurality of receptacles (372). The method also includes placing a seed shell (322) over the restraint on one of the plurality of receptacles, and attaching the restraint to the seed shell.

Abstract: A combination end seal and cotyledon restraint (20) for an artificial seed (22) is provided. The combination end seal and cotyledon restraint includes a cap portion (30) sized to substantially seal one end of an artificial seed and a cotyledon restraint (32) unitarily formed with the cap portion.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an artificial seed blank (20) is provided. The method includes placing a seed shell (22) on one of a plurality of receptacles (72) at the first assembly station. The method also includes depositing media (26) into the seed shell and positioning the seed shell at a second assembly station. The method also includes removing the seed blank from the receptacle at the second assembly station.

Abstract: A embryo delivery system 20 is composed of an embryo orientation assembly 22, a transfer assembly 24, and an embryo reception assembly 26. In operation, the embryo delivery system 20 retrieves plant embryos one at a time from a position on the manufactured seed production line with microtweezers and places each embryo into a separate growing medium, such as a seed coat. The embryo delivery system 20 further includes a control system 28 having a computer 56 or other general computing device for automating the embryo delivery process.

Abstract: A method of attaching an end seal to a manufactured seed is provided. The method includes providing a manufactured seed having an open end and inflating a sealing material to form an enclosure having an interior surface. The method also includes placing the enclosure into contact with the open end of the manufactured seed and attaching the enclosure to the manufactured seed to seal the open end of the manufactured seed.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for simultaneously imaging multiple views of a plant embryo. First, the method provides a camera for receiving a first view of a plant embryo (e.g., the top view). Second, the method provides a first reflecting surface for receiving and reflecting a second view of the plant embryo (e.g., the side view) toward the camera. Thus, the method permits simultaneously imaging both the first and second views of the plant embryo. In one embodiment, the method further provides a second reflecting surface for receiving and reflecting a third view (e.g., the end view) of the plant embryo toward the camera, so that the camera can simultaneously image the first, second, and third views of the plant embryo. The invention reduces the time required to obtain multiple views of an embryo, which can then be analyzed to classify the embryos according to their germination vigor.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically harvesting and screening plant embryos in multiple stages to identify those embryos that are suited for incorporation into manufactured seeds are provided. The method includes generally three steps. First, plant embryos are automatically sorted according to their rough size/shape and also singulated into discrete embryo units, for example by vibrational sieving. Second, the sorted and singulated plant embryos are classified using a first classification method. For example, each embryo may be imaged by a camera and the image is used to ascertain the embryo's more precise size/shape. Third, for those embryos that have passed the first classification method, a second classification method is applied. For example, a pre-developed classification algorithm to classify embryos according to their putative germination vigor may be applied to the same image used in the first classification method, to identify those embryos that are likely to germinate.

Abstract: A method of forming an end seal (50) for a manufactured seed (22) is provided. The method includes providing a manufactured seed having an open-end (56) and immersing at least the open end of the manufactured seed in a sealing material (54) for a predetermined period of time. The method also includes permitting the sealing material to harden over the opened end of the manufactured seed to form a plug that seals the opened end.

Abstract: Methods and systems for three-dimensionally imaging an apical dome located at the cotyledon end of a plant embryo are provided. Three-dimensional information of an apical dome can be obtained by scanning the apical dome at varying focal planes along an axis of the embryo, or by using multiple cameras arranged in a confocal manner to image the apical dome. It can also be obtained by irradiating the apical dome with polychromatic light, wherein light beams of multiple wavelengths are focused at multiple focal planes along the axis of the embryo so that the dome's height information can be obtained based on the wavelength of the light precisely focused and reflected at each surface point of the dome. The three-dimensional information is used to ascertain various morphological features (e.g., size, shape, texture, etc.) of the apical dome, which are in turn used to assess the embryo's germinant vigor.

Abstract: A method of delivering cultivated plant embryos including the step of orientating a plurality of plant embryos in a predetermined orientation. Analyzing each of the plurality of embryos according to a predetermined quality criteria to identify qualified embryos. Determining positional measurements of the qualified embryos and positioning a first seed coat relative to the qualified embryos. The method also includes the step of inserting one of the qualified embryos in the seed coat according to the positional measurements of the qualified embryos to minimize damage to and contamination of the qualified embryos.

Abstract: A method of attaching an end seal (20) to a manufactured seed (22). The method includes the step of positioning a first manufactured seed on a surface (42). The first manufactured seed includes a seed coat (24) having an opening (12) and an embryo (30) disposed within the opening, the opening having a location relative to the surface. The method further includes prestressing an area (38) of a sheet (50) and positioning the sheet on the first manufactured seed to substantially center the area over the opening, such that the embryo is located below the area. The method also includes the step of attaching the sheet to the first manufactured seed to seal the opening.