The present invention comprises a multilevel structure made up of several components that fit together to form a rectangular frame that can be combined with other such multilevel frame structures to form a desired size of greenhouse that can either be free standing, attached to the wall/fence or pegged to the ground. Additionally, the greenhouse offers a light intensity controller in the form of an externally provided or directly attached refractor/reflecting/magnifying lens/that can increase, reduce or change the amount of light. Furthermore, the greenhouse has the ability to run water tubing and electrical wires through its frame structure that allows humidity control, lighting and heating of the environment within, for hydroponic, aeroponic and conventional earth farming.

The present invention relates to a coated polyester film equipped on at least one side with permanent antifog coating. The film of the invention is suitable for the production of greenhouse blinds, and has specific transparency properties, permanent antifog properties and high UV resistance. The invention further relates to processes for the production of the polyester film of the invention, and also to use thereof.

A dark-bright integrated greenhouse system in intensive recirculating eco-aquaculture and aquaculture method thereof. The greenhouse system comprises a bright area and a dark area: the bright area is mainly a water-quality biological purification area, and the dark area is mainly an aquaculture area. The aquaculture method of the present invention is an intensive recirculating eco-aquaculture method, which can improve and regulate the eco-aquaculture environments like illumination and temperature suitable for growth and development according to the requirement of aquaculture species on illumination.

A dark-bright integrated greenhouse system in intensive recirculating eco-aquaculture and aquaculture method thereof. The greenhouse system comprises a bright area and a dark area: the bright area is mainly a water-quality biological purification area, and the dark area is mainly an aquaculture area. The aquaculture method of the present invention is an intensive recirculating eco-aquaculture method, which can improve and regulate the eco-aquaculture environments like illumination and temperature suitable for growth and development according to the requirement of aquaculture species on illumination.

A planter apparatus is disclosed herein. The planter apparatus includes a growth chamber; a transmissivity-reducing window adjustable from a substantially opaque state to a substantially transparent state. The window can include a first transmissivity-reducing layer and a second transmissivity-reducing layer coupled to the first transmissivity-reducing layer, and at least a portion of the growth chamber is viewable through the window when the window is in the substantially transparent state. The planter apparatus includes a transmissivity controller for operating the window between the substantially opaque state and the substantially transparent state. For example, the first transmissivity-reducing layer can include a switching film and the second transmissivity-reducing layer can include a gel filter.

A multilayer plastic film for perennial agricultural use (1) either in greenhouses or under low tunnels (2) that, self-adjusts the shading provided in the covered space (4). The shading effect can be present in the whole surface of the film, or it could be partial at specific surfaces (3) where shading would be most needed. The shading is achieved by incorporating a photochromic compound or a combination of photochromic compounds in a layer of multiple layers in a multilayer film (1). The layer or layers that incorporate the photochromic compound or compounds are protected from oxidation by bilateral layers that incorporate materials that exhibit low permeability to gases and in particular to oxygen. The advantage of the film is that the grower would not need to apply any shading material on the surface of the film and/or any mechanism to facilitate opening and closing of the shading material.

A multilayer plastic film for perennial agricultural use (1) either in greenhouses or under low tunnels (2) that, self-adjusts the shading provided in the covered space (4). The shading effect can be present in the whole surface of the film, or it could be partial at specific surfaces (3) where shading would be most needed. The shading is achieved by incorporating a photochromic compound or a combination of photochromic compounds in a layer of multiple layers in a multilayer film (1). The layer or layers that incorporate the photochromic compound or compounds are protected from oxidation by bilateral layers that incorporate materials that exhibit low permeability to gases and in particular to oxygen. The advantage of the film is that the grower would not need to apply any shading material on the surface of the film and/or any mechanism to facilitate opening and closing of the shading material.

Automated terrariums and methods of using the terrariums are disclosed. The automated terrarium comprises a housing having a base and a lid, wherein the lid is supported by at least two support pillars. The terrarium also comprises at least two transparent side panels supported by the at least two support pillars and positioned between the base and the lid, an irrigation system within the base, a lighting system within the lid, and a control unit. The control unit is adapted to monitor growth of the plant and adjust the irrigation system, heating system, airflow system, and/or lighting system.

Automated terrariums and methods of using the terrariums are disclosed. The automated terrarium comprises a housing having a base and a lid, wherein the lid is supported by at least two support pillars. The terrarium also comprises at least two transparent side panels supported by the at least two support pillars and positioned between the base and the lid, an irrigation system within the base, a lighting system within the lid, and a control unit. The control unit is adapted to monitor growth of the plant and adjust the irrigation system, heating system, airflow system, and/or lighting system.

A variable thermal insulation assembly includes at least one array comprising a plurality of sheets of film, wherein the plurality of sheets are in a stacked arrangement and each sheet is bonded to an adjacent sheet along a plurality of longitudinally extending regions such that each pair of adjacent sheets form a plurality of longitudinally extending cavities between adjacent regions of the adjacent sheets, a support frame comprising end elements, wherein the support frame frames the plurality of sheets, wherein support frame is coupled to the array to support the array such that the array may transition between an expanded state in which the array is expanded, and a compressed state in which the array is compressed, within the plane of the frame along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that the longitudinally extending cavities are expanded or compressed, wherein in the expanded state, the front edge conforms to one of the second end of the support frame or a second front edge of a second array to form a seal that inhibits air flow between the front edge and the one of the second end of the support frame or the second front edge of the second array.