Multilayered structure containing immobilized blud-green algae
First Claim
1. A nutrient-producing, multilayered structure having a thickness which is substantially less than either its breadth or width, which structure comprises:
- A. a first layer which comprises a composite consisting essentially of a substantially water-insoluble support having a surface energy of from about 30 dynes per cm to about 115 dynes per cm to which nitrogen-fixing filamentous blue-green algal heterocyst cells are attached, said support being either particulate or fibrous and substantially free of substances which have a significant deleterious effect on the viability of the immobilized algae, which attached algal heterocyst cells, when allowed to grow in a nitrogen deficient environment, fix nitrogen at a rate which is substantially greater than that of such cells not so attached;
B. a second layer adjacent to and contiguous with at least a portion of a first surface of said first layer and attached to said first layer in such a manner as to substantially maintain said second layer adjacent to and contiguous with said first surface; and
C. a third layer adjacent to and contiguous with at least a portion of a second surface of said first layer and attached to said first layer in such a manner as to substantially maintain said third layer adjacent to and contiguous with said second surface;
wherein partially transparent to actinic radiation.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multilayer structure is prepared containing immobilized nitrogen-fixing filamentous blue-green algal heterocyst cells. The cells are attached to a first layer which is a water-insoluble support having a surface energy of about 30 to about 115 dynes per cm. Second and third layers are adjacent and contiguous with first and second surfaces, respectively, of the first layer. At least one of the second and third layers is transparent to actinic radiation. The support may be cellulosic such as wood pulp. The immobilized cells fix nitrogen at a rate which is substantially greater than cells when not immobilized. The structure is useful as a nutrient source for agricultural purposes.
31 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A nutrient-producing, multilayered structure having a thickness which is substantially less than either its breadth or width, which structure comprises:
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A. a first layer which comprises a composite consisting essentially of a substantially water-insoluble support having a surface energy of from about 30 dynes per cm to about 115 dynes per cm to which nitrogen-fixing filamentous blue-green algal heterocyst cells are attached, said support being either particulate or fibrous and substantially free of substances which have a significant deleterious effect on the viability of the immobilized algae, which attached algal heterocyst cells, when allowed to grow in a nitrogen deficient environment, fix nitrogen at a rate which is substantially greater than that of such cells not so attached; B. a second layer adjacent to and contiguous with at least a portion of a first surface of said first layer and attached to said first layer in such a manner as to substantially maintain said second layer adjacent to and contiguous with said first surface; and C. a third layer adjacent to and contiguous with at least a portion of a second surface of said first layer and attached to said first layer in such a manner as to substantially maintain said third layer adjacent to and contiguous with said second surface;
wherein partially transparent to actinic radiation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification