SBIR Phase II: A Rotary Aeroponic Cultivation Chamber (RACC) for Household Use

这个小企业创新研究(SBIR)第二阶段项目的更广泛影响是为个人住宅消费者提供一种可持续的方法来种植健康的农产品，而不受地点、气候或一年中的季节的影响。旋转式气培种植系统通过分散消费者家中极易腐烂的农产品的生产，有可能减少食物浪费、饮用水消耗、能源消耗和温室气体排放。在家里种植新鲜农产品可能不需要使用杀虫剂或防腐剂。生活在食物沙漠中的社会弱势群体可通过购买可直接在家中交付和种植的低成本有机豆荚，受益于自动化室内园艺设备，产生长期投资回报，并通过更健康的饮食减少肥胖病例。研究小型旋转式气培设备中的光相互作用的影响，可能会鼓励形成一个新的市场，用于高利润的种子豆荚，这些种子可以由残疾人士大量组装。将高度易腐烂的货物转化为不易腐烂的订购豆荚，可能有可能降低粮食价格，减少全世界粮食不安全的情况。旋转式气培栽培是一种在旋转的圆柱形塔架上种植植物的方法，该塔架垂直固定在受控的环境室内。该项目的关键创新是将旋转航空电子技术与可调照明相结合，以提高植物的生长效率。第二阶段的研究将研究光照的波长和时间如何影响植物的光形态建成。与传统的垂直耕作方法相比，塔式设计预计将为种植植物提供更大的表面积，增加可以在更小空间内以更低能耗种植的植物数量。该项目的目标是在食品安全的环境中成功地种植健康的绿叶蔬菜品种。多光谱光将用于学习如何最大限度地提高植物产量，最大限度地减少食品安全风险，并提高不同植物类型的味道，以确保最佳用户体验。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact of this Small Business Innovaiton Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to provide a sustainable method to grow healthy produce for individuals residential consumers, independent of location, climate, or season of the year. Rotary aeroponic growing systems have the potential to reduce food waste, potable water consumption, energy consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions by decentralizing the production of highly perishable produce within a consumer's home. Growing fresh produce in the home may not require the use of pesticides or preservatives. Socio-disadvantaged individuals located in food deserts may benefit from an automated indoor gardening appliance by subscribing to low-cost organic seed pods that could be delivered and grown directly in their home, generate long-term returns on investment and lowering instances of obesity through healthier diets. Studying the effects of light interactions in a small rotary aeroponic appliance my encourage a new market for high margin seed pods that could be assembled in mass quantities by disabled individuals. Converting highly perishable goods into non-perishable, subscription seed pods may have the potential to reduce food prices and reduce instances of food insecurity throughout the world.Rotary aeroponic cultivation is the method of growing plants on a rotating cylindrical tower that is affixed vertically within a controlled environmental chamber. The key innovation in this project is the coupling of rotary aeroponics with tunable lighting to enhance the growing efficiency of the plants. Phase II research will examine how the wavelengths and timing of the lighting can impact plant photomorphogenesis. The tower design is expected to provide a larger surface area for growing plants in comparison to traditional vertical farming methods, increasing the number of plants that can be grown in a smaller space with less power consumption. The goal of this project is to successfully grow a healthy polyculture assortment of leafy green vegetables in a food safe environment. The multi-spectral light will be used to learn how to maximize plant yields, minimize food safety risks, and enhance the taste profiles of different plant types to ensure the best user experience.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.