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。旋转气耕种植系统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，因为它将高度易腐产品的生产分散在消费者家中。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能会从自动化室内园艺设备中受益，他们可以订购低成本的有机种子荚，这些种子荚可以在家中直接运送和种植，产生长期的投资回报，并通过更健康的饮食减少肥胖的情况。在小型旋转气耕装置中研究光相互作用的影响，可以为残疾人大量组装的高利润种子荚开辟新的市场。将高度易腐的货物转化为不易腐烂的订购种子荚，可能有可能降低粮食价格，减少全世界粮食不安全的情况。旋转气培栽培是在一个受控环境室内垂直固定的旋转圆柱形塔上种植植物的方法。该项目的关键创新是将旋转空气栽培与可调照明相结合，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发生。与传统的垂直种植方式相比，塔的设计有望提供更大的种植面积，增加植物的数量，可以在更小的空间内种植，能耗更低。这个项目的目标是在食品安全的环境中成功地种植出健康的多种绿叶蔬菜。多光谱光将用于学习如何最大限度地提高植物产量，最大限度地降低食品安全风险，并增强不同植物类型的味道特征，以确保最佳的用户体验。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值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.