In a recent report by Reuters, the 2017 National Science and Technology Awards were announced at the annual conference held in Beijing's Great Hall. Among the notable achievements was the second prize for the National Science and Technology Progress Award, awarded to the key technology and system integration of the high-efficiency, low-energy LED intelligent plant factory led by researcher Yang Qichang from the Institute of Agricultural Environment and Sustainable Development.
This groundbreaking project introduced the concept of a "light formula" for plants, which is based on the spectral response of photosynthesis. The team developed energy-efficient LED light sources tailored to specific plant needs, including combinations of red (660nm) and blue (450nm) light chips, as well as multi-spectral LEDs using blue chips and phosphor excitation. These innovations significantly reduced energy consumption by up to 50.9%.
The research also pioneered a light-temperature coupling energy-saving method for regulating temperature in plant factories. By integrating natural outdoor cooling during the night and optimizing air conditioning use, the system achieved energy savings of 24.6% to 63% compared to traditional methods.
Additionally, the team developed a synergistic treatment technique using UV-nano-TiOâ‚‚ in nutrient solutions and implemented short-term continuous illumination before harvest to enhance vegetable quality. This approach effectively reduced nitrate levels in leafy vegetables by over 30% while increasing vitamin C and soluble sugar content.
The project integrated multi-factor synergy technology that improved plant efficacy, energy efficiency, and nutritional quality. It resulted in three series of intelligent LED plant factory systems: mass production, mobile, and home micro-plant factories. These systems featured IoT-based smart control, enabling real-time monitoring of temperature, humidity, COâ‚‚, and nutrient solution parameters.
With 86 patents granted, including 42 invention patents (four international ones in the U.S.), and over 100 scientific papers published, the project has made a significant impact. The technology was showcased at the National "Twelfth Five-Year" Science and Technology Innovation Achievement Exhibition in 2016, where it received widespread acclaim and was hailed as a revolutionary advancement in agricultural practices.
Professor Feng Shu, a renowned expert in plant factory technology and former president of Chiba University, praised the project, stating that the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences' work on light formulas and energy-saving environmental control is at an international level.
Editor: Yan Zhixiang
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