CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63416006, titled “SPECTRALLY SELECTIVE AGRICULTURAL COVERING”, filed Oct 14, 2022, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the present disclosure relates to the field of protective covers and coatings. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a structure for facilitating spectrally selective absorption and transmission of light waves.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The field of protective covers and coatings is technologically important to several industries, business organizations, and/or individuals.

Currently, in hot climate agriculture, heat, and heat removal remains the limiting factor for year-round, high-yielding crop growth. Crops in these regions require the maximum amount of sunlight in the photosynthetic region between 400-700nm and little to none of the portion in the Near-Infrared Radiation (NIR) region between 700-2500nm. Therefore, the elimination of the NIR region whilst maintaining a high Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) is beneficial for crops under covering materials such as greenhouses and shade nets.

However, these materials alone still have relatively low absorption in the region between 700-1000nm. Approximately 52-54% of the solar energy is still contained within this region and for agriculture, in hot climates, a significant portion of this energy would be converted to thermal, which either leads to high cooling demands or excess water usage. In addition, plants are known to have a sharp drop in absorption after 700nm, and the NIR radiation energy beyond 750nm is not utilized for photosynthesis and has little benefit for crop growth.

Therefore, there is a need for a structure for facilitating spectrally selective absorption and transmission of light waves that may overcome one or more of the above-mentioned problems and/or limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form, that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this summary intended to be used to limit the claimed subject matter’s scope.

Disclosed herein is a structure for facilitating spectrally selective absorption and transmission of light waves, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the structure may include a matrix comprising at least one inner layer and at least one outer layer. Further, the at least inner layer may include at least one organic material. Further, the at least one organic material has a first level of transmission for a first region of the light wave and one or more first levels of transmission for one or more first regions of the light wave. Further, the first level of transmission may be greater than the one or more first levels of transmission. Further, the at least one organic material has a second level of absorption for a second region of the light wave and one or more second levels of absorption for one or more second regions of the light wave. Further, the second level of absorption may be greater than the one or more second levels of absorption. Further, the at least one outer layer may be adjacent to the at least one inner layer. Further, the at least one outer layer may include at least one inorganic material. Further, the at least one inorganic material has the first level of transmission for the first region of the light wave and the one or more first levels of transmission for the one or more first regions of the light wave. Further, the at least one inorganic material has a third level of absorption for a third region of the light wave and one or more third levels of absorption for one or more third regions of the light wave. Further, the third level of absorption may be greater than the one or more third levels.

Further disclosed herein is a method for producing a structure for facilitating spectrally selective absorption and transmission of light waves, in accordance with some embodiments. Accordingly, the method may include a step of adding at least one organic material in at least one inner layer of a matrix. Further, the at least one organic material has a first level of transmission for a first region of the light wave and one or more first levels of transmission for one or more first regions of the light wave. Further, the first level of transmission may be greater than the one or more first levels of transmission. Further, the at least one organic material has a second level of absorption for a second region of the light wave and one or more second levels of absorption for one or more second regions of the light wave. Further, the second level of absorption may be greater than the one or more second levels of absorption. Further, the method may include a step of adding at least one inorganic material in at least one outer layer of the matrix. Further, the at least one inorganic material has the first level of transmission for the first region of the light wave and the one or more first levels of transmission for the one or more first regions of the light wave. Further, the at least one inorganic material has a third level of absorption for a third region of the light wave and one or more third levels of absorption for one or more third regions of the light wave. Further, the third level of absorption may be greater than the one or more third levels. Further, the method may include a step of assembling the at least one outer layer over the at least one inner layer. Further, the at least one outer layer may be adjacent to the at least one inner layer based on the assembling.

Both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description provide examples and are explanatory only. Accordingly, the foregoing summary and the following detailed description should not be considered to be restrictive. Further, features or variations may be provided in addition to those set forth herein. For example, embodiments may be directed to various feature combinations and sub-combinations described in the detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure. The drawings contain representations of various trademarks and copyrights owned by the Applicants. In addition, the drawings may contain other marks owned by third parties and are being used for illustrative purposes only. All rights to various trademarks and copyrights represented herein, except those belonging to their respective owners, are vested in and the property of the applicants. The applicants retain and reserve all rights in their trademarks and copyrights included herein, and grant permission to reproduce the material only in connection with reproduction of the granted patent and for no other purpose.

Furthermore, the drawings may contain text or captions that may explain certain embodiments of the present disclosure. This text is included for illustrative, non-limiting, explanatory purposes of certain embodiments detailed in the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a structure 100 for facilitating spectrally selective absorption and transmission of light waves, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the structure 100, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method 300 for producing a structure for facilitating spectrally selective absorption and transmission of light waves, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method 400 for producing the structure for facilitating spectrally selective absorption and transmission of light waves, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method 500 for producing a spectrally selective agricultural covering, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 6 illustrates a selective absorption and transmission of light waves through at least one structure 602 comprised in a greenhouse 604, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a graph 700 showing transmission curves of a plurality of structures under a plurality of conditions, in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art that the present disclosure has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the disclosure and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the abovedisclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, while embodiments are described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present disclosure, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection be defined by reading into any claim limitation found herein and/or issuing here from that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection is to be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which an ordinary artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein — as understood by the ordinary artisan based on the contextual use of such term — differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the ordinary artisan should prevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.”

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While many embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims found herein and/or issuing here from. The present disclosure contains headers. It should be understood that these headers are used as references and are not to be construed as limiting upon the subjected matter disclosed under the header. The present disclosure includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in the context of a structure for facilitating spectrally selectively absorbing of light waves, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to use only in this context.

Overview:

The present disclosure describes a structure for facilitating spectrally selective absorption and transmission of light waves.

Further, the structure may be a spectrally selective agricultural covering. Further, the spectrally selective agricultural covering(s) may include organic dye materials to provide sharp and narrow absorption peaks. Further, in an embodiment, the spectrally selective agricultural covering may include certain compounds formulated to have an absorption peak in the 700-1000 nm region.

Further, the spectrally selective agricultural covering may include a layered material that combines the absorption of two distinct spectrally selective absorption materials within a polymer host matrix. Further, the spectrally selective agricultural covering may include an organic component, which has a high transmission of light wave (or sunlight) in the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) region, but a strong absorption between 700- lOOOnm. Further, the spectrally selective agricultural covering may include an inorganic component, which also has a high transmission of the light wave in the PAR region but a strong absorption or absorption of the light wave in the 1000-2500nm region (or NIR region). Further, the organic materials may include metal dithiolenes, naphtacyanines, phthalocyanines, diimonium, rylene compounds, etc. Further, the inorganic compounds may include indium tin oxide, antimony tin oxide, cesium tungsten oxide, organophosphorus tungsten oxide, etc. Further, the spectrally selective agricultural covering may include the polymer host matrix (or common host matrix polymers). Further, the common host matrix polymers may include polycarbonates, polyacrylates, polyethylenes, and fluoropolymers. Further, the combination of multiple materials into a single polymer host (such as the common host matrix polymers) allows for a high PAR transmission for plant growth, with a very sharp absorption peak after 700nm, maintaining a strong absorption until 2500nm. In addition, a flat transmission profile may be achieved using the spectrally selective agricultural covering, which does not alter the red -blue (R/B) ratio of sunlight. This then has minimal impact on plant growth, physiology, and health.

Furthermore, organic dyes are less UV stable than inorganic materials. Both materials (the inorganic material and the organic material) may also have strong absorption in the UV region. Therefore, the inorganic material may be concentrated in an external layer closer to an external environment. In this configuration, the layer of the inorganic materials may preferentially absorb the sunlight UV radiation before the sunlight reaches the organic materials (such as a dye) in the subsequent layers. This then acts as a barrier layer of protection for the organic dye from UV degradation. This is doubly beneficial as by concentrating the inorganic component on the external layer, the heat may be more easily transferred to the external environment, leaving less to be transferred internally.

Further, the spectrally selective agricultural covering may use a combination of organic material and inorganic material to cover a broad absorption in the Near-Infrared Radiation (NIR) region with a sharp absorption edge near 700nm. Further, the spectrally selective agricultural covering may follow a layering approach with the inorganic material (or inorganic NIR absorber) on the external layer protecting the below layers containing the organic dye. Further, the layered approach is where the inorganic NIR absorber is concentrated close to the external surface to increase thermal transfer between the layered material and the outside environment.

Further, the spectrally selective agricultural covering may include 0.005wt% Nickel Dithiolene dye (Epolight) and 0.2% Cesium Tungsten Oxide nanoparticles. Further, 0.005wt% Nickel Dithiolene dye (Epolight) is compounded into PMMA using a hot-melt extrusion process. Further, 3mm plates of the dye-containing polymer were fabricated by injection molding. Further, a 200um Polyethylene sheet containing 0.2% Cesium Tungsten Oxide nanoparticles is fabricated using blow mold extrusion. To the surface of the plates, the 200um Polyethylene sheet containing 0.2% Cesium Tungsten Oxide nanoparticles is adhered to using a hot-lamination process. Further, the spectrally selective agricultural covering is a laminated polymer structure containing an organic NIR-absorbing material on the inner layers and an inorganic NIR-absorbing material on the outer layers. The NIR absorption is enhanced by using the combination of inorganic and dye (organic) in the laminated polymer structure, than just the organic alone. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a structure 100 for facilitating spectrally selective absorption and transmission of light waves, in accordance with some embodiments. Further, the structure 100 may include a laminated polymer structure. Further, the light waves may be electromagnetic waves. Further, the light waves may include sunlight. Further, the light waves may include radiations from the sun. Further, one or more regions of the light wave correspond to one or more regions of the spectrum of the light wave. Further, the structure 100 may be a spectrally selective agricultural covering. Further, the structure 100 may include a matrix 102. Further, the matrix 102 may include a polymer host matrix. Further, the matrix 102 may include a single polymer host.

Further, the matrix 102 may include at least one inner layer 106 and at least one outer layer 104.

Further, the at least one inner layer 106 may include at least one organic material. Further, the at least one organic material has a first level of transmission for a first region of the light wave and one or more second levels of transmission for one or more first regions of the light wave. Further, the first level of transmission may be greater than the one or more second levels of transmission. Further, the at least one organic material has a first level of absorption for a second region of the light wave and one or more second levels of absorption for at least one second region of the light wave. Further, the first level of absorption may be greater than the one or more second levels of absorption. Further, the at least one organic material may include an organic component. Further, the at least one organic material may include an organic dye.

Further, the at least one outer layer 104 may be adjacent to the at least one inner layer 106. Further, the at least one outer layer 104 may include at least one inorganic material. Further, the at least one inorganic material has the first level of transmission for the first region of the light wave and the one or more second levels of transmission for the one or more first regions of the light wave. Further, the at least one inorganic material has a third level of absorption for a third region of the light wave and one or more third levels of absorption for one or more third regions of the light wave. Further, the third level of absorption may be greater than the one or more third levels. Further, the at least one inorganic material may include an inorganic component. Further, in some embodiments, the first region and the one or more first regions form the light wave. Further, the first region of the light wave may be a Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) region of the light wave. Further, in an embodiment, the PAR region may be characterized by a wavelength of the light wave ranging from 400nm to 700nm.

Further, in some embodiments, the at least one outer layer 104 may be configured for absorbing at least one first light wave portion of the light wave associated with an ultraviolet (UV) region of the light wave based on the at least one inorganic material for protecting the at least one organic material comprised in the at least one inner layer 106 from an ultraviolet (UV) degradation. Further, the UV region of the light wave may be characterized by a wavelength ranging from 250nm to 400nm. Further, the at least one inorganic material absorbs the at least one first light wave portion of the light wave associated with the UV region.

Further, in some embodiments, the second region and the one or more second regions form the light wave. Further, the second region of the light wave may be a first Near- Infrared Radiation (NIR) region of the light wave. Further, the first NIR region may be characterized by a wavelength of the light wave ranging from 700nm to lOOOnm.

Further, in some embodiments, the third region and the one or more third regions form the light wave. Further, the third region of the light wave may be a second Near- Infrared Radiation (NIR) region of the light wave. Further, in an embodiment, the second NIR region may be characterized by a wavelength of the light wave ranging from lOOOnm to 2500nm.

Further, in an embodiment, the at least one outer layer 104 may be configured for absorbing at least one second light wave portion of the light wave associated with the second NIR region based on the at least one inorganic material. Further, the at least one inorganic material absorbs the at least one second light wave portion of the light wave associated with the second NIR region.

Further, in some embodiments, the at least one organic material may include at least one of metal dithiolenes, naphtacyanines, phthalocyanines, rylene and diimonium compounds. Further, in some embodiments, the at least one inorganic material may include at least one of indium tin oxide, antimony tin oxide, cesium tungsten oxide, and organophosphorus tungsten oxide.

Further, in some embodiments, the matrix 102 may be comprised of at least one of polycarbonate, polyacrylate, polyethylene, and fluoropolymer.

Further, in some embodiments, the structure 100 may form an enclosure defining at least one interior space. Further, the enclosure may be a greenhouse.

Further, in some embodiments, the at least one outer layer 104 may include at least one Hindered Amine Light Stabilizer (HALS).

Further, in some embodiments, the at least one inorganic material may be suspended in at least one fluid medium in the at least one outer layer 104. Further, the at least one inorganic material may include a plurality of nanoparticles of the at least one inorganic material. Further, at least one of the plurality of nanoparticles has a temperature- sensitive coating on at least a portion of an external surface of at least one of the plurality of nanoparticles. Further, the temperature- sensitive coating may include Poly (N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) Coating. Further, at least one of the plurality of nanoparticles concentrate in a region of the at least one outer layer 104 having a temperature higher than at least one region of the at least one outer layer 104 based on thermophoresis.

Further, in some embodiments, the at least one inner layer 106 may include the at least one organic material in an amount of 0.005% by weight based on a total weight of the at least one inner layer 106. Further, the at least one outer layer 104 may include the at least one inorganic material in an amount of 0.2% by weight based on the total weight of the at least one outer layer 104.

Further, in some embodiments, the at least one inner layer 106 and the at least one outer layer 104 may be associated with a thickness. Further, the thickness of the at least one inner layer 106 may be 3 millimeters and the thickness of the at least one outer layer 104 may be 200 micrometers. Further, in some embodiments, the at least one outer layer 104 may be configured for allowing transmission of at least one light wave portion of the light wave associated with the PAR region through the at least one outer layer 104 based on the at least one inorganic material. Further, the at least one inner layer 106 may be configured for allowing transmission of at least one light wave portion of the light wave associated with the PAR region through the at least one inner layer 106 based on the at least one organic material. Further, the at least one inner layer 106 may be configured for absorbing at least one light wave portion of the light wave associated with the first NIR region based on the at least one organic material. Further, the at least one outer layer 104 may be configured for absorbing at least one light wave portion of the light wave associated with the second NIR region based on the at least one inorganic material. Further, the allowing transmission of the at least one light wave portion of the light wave associated with the PAR region through the at least one outer layer 104, the allowing of the transmission of the at least one light wave portion of the light wave associated with the PAR region through the at least one inner layer 106, the absorbing of the at least one light wave portion of the light wave associated with the first NIR region by the at least one inner layer 106, and the absorbing of the at least one light wave portion of the light wave associated with the second NIR region by the at least one outer layer 104 allows for a high transmission of the light wave in the PAR region, a very sharp absorption peak after 700nm, a strong absorption which is maintained until 2500nm, and a flat transmission profile without altering a red-blue ration of the light wave for the structure 100.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the structure 100, in accordance with some embodiments. Further, the matrix 102 may include at least one layer 202 between the at least one outer layer 104 and the at least one inner layer 106. Further, the at least one layer 202 may include at least one binder material. Further, the at least one binder material limits at least one of refraction and scattering of the light wave. Further, the limiting of at least one of the refraction and scattering increases the transmission of the light wave through the structure 100. Further, the at least one binder material may include refractive index matching material, silicone rubber, etc. Further, the at least one binder material has a refractive index similar to the refractive index of the matrix 102.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method 300 for producing a structure for facilitating spectrally selective absorption and transmission of light waves, in accordance with some embodiments. Further, at 302, the method 300 may include adding at least one organic material in at least one inner layer of a matrix. Further, the at least one organic material has a first level of transmission for a first region of the light wave and one or more first levels of transmission for one or more first regions of the light wave. Further, the first level of transmission may be greater than the one or more first levels of transmission. Further, the at least one organic material has a second level of absorption for a second region of the light wave and one or more second levels of absorption for one or more second regions of the light wave. Further, the second level of absorption may be greater than the one or more second levels of absorption. Further, the adding of the at least one organic material may include concentrating the at least one organic material in the at least one inner layer. Further, the adding of the at least one organic material may include compounding the at least one organic material into the at least one inner layer of the matrix using a hot-melt extrusion process.

Further, at 304, the method 300 may include adding at least one inorganic material in at least one outer layer of the matrix. Further, the at least one inorganic material has the first level of transmission for the first region of the light wave and the one or more first levels of transmission for the one or more first regions of the light wave. Further, the at least one inorganic material has a third level of absorption for a third region of the light wave and one or more third levels of absorption for one or more third regions of the light wave. Further, the third level of absorption may be greater than the one or more third levels. Further, the adding of the at least one inorganic material may include concentrating the at least one inorganic material in the at least one outer layer. Further, the adding of the at least one inorganic material may include compounding the at least one inorganic material into the at least one outer layer of the matrix using a hot- melt extrusion process.

Further, at 306, the method 300 may include assembling the at least one outer layer over the at least one inner layer. Further, the at least one outer layer may be adjacent to the at least one inner layer based on the assembling. Further, the assembling may include fabricating the at least one inner layer by an injection molding process, fabricating the at least one outer layer using a blow mold extrusion processing, and laminating the at least one outer layer and the at least one inner layer using a hot lamination process.

Further, in some embodiments, the first region and the one or more first regions form the light wave. Further, the first region of the light wave may be a Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) region of the light wave. Further, in an embodiment, the PAR region may be characterized by a wavelength of the light wave ranging from 400nm to 700nm.

Further, in some embodiments, the at least one outer layer may be configured for absorbing at least one first light wave portion of the light wave associated with an ultraviolet (UV) region of the light wave based on the at least one inorganic material for protecting the at least one organic material comprised in the at least one inner layer from an ultraviolet (UV) degradation. Further, the UV region of the light wave may be characterized by a wavelength ranging from 250nm to 400nm. Further, the at least one inorganic material absorbs the at least one first light wave portion of the light wave associated with the UV region.

Further, in some embodiments, the second region and the one or more second regions form the light wave. Further, the second region of the light wave may be a first Near- Infrared Radiation (NIR) region of the light wave. Further, the first NIR region may be characterized by a wavelength of the light wave ranging from 700nm to lOOOnm.

Further, in some embodiments, the third region and the one or more third regions form the light wave. Further, the third region of the light wave may be a second Near- Infrared Radiation (NIR) region of the light wave.Further, in an embodiment, the second NIR region may be characterized by a wavelength of the light wave ranging from lOOOnm to 2500nm.

Further, in an embodiment, the at least one outer layer may be configured for absorbing at least one second light wave portion of the light wave associated with the second NIR region based on the at least one inorganic material. Further, the at least one inorganic material absorbs the at least one second light wave portion of the light wave associated with the second NIR region.

Further, in some embodiments, the at least one organic material may include at least one of metal dithiolenes, naphtacyanines, phthalocyanines, rylene and diimonium compounds.

Further, in some embodiments, the at least one inorganic material may include at least one of indium tin oxide, antimony tin oxide, cesium tungsten oxide, and organophosphorus tungsten oxide. Further, in some embodiments, the matrix may be comprised of at least one of polycarbonate, polyacrylate, polyethylene, and fluoropolymer.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method 400 for producing the structure for facilitating spectrally selective absorption and transmission of light waves, in accordance with some embodiments. Further, at 402, the method 400 may include adding at least one binder material in at least one layer of the matrix. Further, the at least one binder material limits at least one of refraction and scattering of the light wave.

Further, at 402, the method 400 may include assembling the at least one layer between the at least one outer layer and the at least one inner layer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method 500 for producing a spectrally selective agricultural covering, in accordance with some embodiments.

Further, the method 500 may include a step 502 of concentrating at least one inorganic material in an external layer (such as an outer layer) of a polymer host matrix comprised in the spectrally selective agricultural covering. Further, the at least one inorganic material may have high transmission in the PAR region but a strong absorption or absorption in the 1000-2500nm region. Further, examples of the at least one inorganic material may include indium tin oxide, antimony tin oxide, and cesium tungsten oxide, organophosphorus tungsten oxide. Further, the external layer may be exposed to an external or surrounding environment. Further, the concentrated external layer may absorb the sunlight UV radiation before the UV radiation reaches at least one organic material in subsequent layers below the external layer. Further, the external layer acts as a barrier layer of protection for the at least one organic material (such as dye) from UV degradation. This is doubly beneficial as by concentrating the at least one inorganic material (or component) on the external layer, the heat may be more easily transferred to the external environment, leaving less to be transferred internally.

Further, the method 500 may include a step 504 of adding the at least one organic material in at least one internal layer (such as an inner layer) of the polymer host matrix. Further, the at least one internal layer may be disposed below or beneath the external layer inside the polymer host matrix. Further, the at least one organic material may have high transmission in the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) region, but a strong absorption between 700-1000nm. Further, examples of the at least one organic material may include metal dithiolenes, naphtacyanines, phthalocyanines, rylene, diimonium compounds, etc.

Further, the method 500 may include a step 506 of assembling the external layer over the at least one internal layer. Further, the external layer and the at least one internal layer may be assembled together using at least one binding mechanism. Further, the at least one binding mechanism may include applying an adhesive or glue. Further, assembling of the external layer and the at least one internal layer may be done to form the spectrally selective agricultural covering.

Further, in some embodiments, the method 500 may include a step of adding the at least one additional binder in a second layer of the at least one internal layer. Further, the at least one additional binder may limit refraction and scattering and increase transmission.

FIG. 6 illustrates a selective absorption and transmission of light waves through at least one structure 602 comprised in a greenhouse 604, in accordance with some embodiments. Further, the greenhouse 604 may include at least one plant 606. Further, the at least one structure 602 may form at least one of a roof and at least one wall of the greenhouse 604. Further, the at least one plant 606 receives the light wave of the Photosynthetically Active Radiation (PAR) region in the greenhouse 604 based on the at least one structure 602.

FIG. 7 illustrates a graph 700 showing transmission curves of a plurality of structures under a plurality of conditions, in accordance with some embodiments. Further, the graph 700 plots the transmission curves as a transmission percentage to a wavelength. Further, the plurality of conditions may include a first condition in which a structure of the plurality of structures is not exposed to the external environment and includes a dye (nickel dithiolene dye). Further, the plurality of conditions may include a second condition in which a structure of the plurality of structures is not exposed to the external environment and includes the dye and an inorganic absorber (inorganic near-infrared radiation (NIR) absorber). Further, the plurality of conditions may include a third condition in which a structure of the plurality of structures is exposed to the external environment and includes the dye. Further, the plurality of conditions may include a fourth condition in which a structure of the plurality of structures is exposed to the external environment and includes the dye and the inorganic absorber.

Further, the transmission curves may be transmission spectrums for the plurality of structures under the plurality of conditions.

Further, in the third condition and the fourth condition the structure is exposed to the external environment for a period of 4 months. Further, the structures without the inorganic NIR absorber in their outer layer have the nickel dithiolene dye degraded more significantly, relative to the structures that have the inorganic NIR absorber in their outer layer.

Although the present disclosure has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.