NASA Presentation: Aeroponics

Aeroponics: Local Application

Automation

Benefits

• Automated and non-automated Aeroponic growth systems can reduce resource usage
• Water conservation
• Agricultural land can be used for other necessities
• Can be used in most climates due to indoor growing
• Crops can be planted and harvested out of season
• Better use of space allows for more biomass volume

• Self-sustaining
• Increased productivity and efficiency
• Reduced human involvement
• Reduced labor costs
• Manpower focused elsewhere
• Automated planting and harvesting
• Eliminate human intervention except during troubleshooting or emergencies

Automation

Short Term Goal:

What Are Hydroponic Systems

• To explore efficient growth systems

• Automated system sends data to a computer
• Algorithms take and process information
• "Data mining," examining large databases to generate new info, is used to interpret sensor data
• Computer can then make adjustments based off of real-time data
• Adjust pH levels
• Adjust nutrient flow
• Adjust UV light intensity

Long Term Goal:

Hydroponics

• To create an entirely automated growth system
• Reduce resource usage especially land and water

• The process of growing plants in sand, gravel, or liquid with added nutrients but without soil

• Hydroponic Goal: higher growth efficiency

• Some types of Hydroponic Systems:
• Drip
• Water Culture
• Nutrient Film
• Aeroponic

Automation

Hydroponics

• Monitoring and "Big Data" will be essential
• Components added as necessary
• Add timers
• Add Ultraviolet lights (UV)
• Add sensors:
• Moisture and humidity
• pH sensors
• Mineral sensors
• Temperature and UV Sensors

My Goal:

Automated Systems

Aeroponic Systems and Their Benefits

Image Credit: NASA

• Create automated and self-sustaining growth
• Powerful technology and intelligent engineering are key
• "With technology like this, jumping over the moon won't be reserved for fairy tales" (NASA, 2007)

Video Credit: Youtube, What is hydroponic growing?

Aeroponic Setup

Presented April 2015

For the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Nevada Space Grant Consortium

Award: NNX14AQ94A

The Problem

Aeroponic vs. Hydroponic

• Agricultural inefficiencies
• Seasonally affected
• Resource intensive
• Movement of water, necessary for life, is financially unfeasible
• Hydroponic limitations
• Still resource intensive

• Higher efficiency
• Less water intensive
• Nutrient delivery directly to roots
• Better oxygen circulation
• Stronger aerobic respiration
• Systems can be scaled more effectively and better automated (Powerhouse Hydroponics)

Image Credit: HowStuffWorks

The Solution

Aeroponics

• Aeroponic Systems
• Form of Hydroponics that deviates from conventional systems
• Much more efficient than traditional farming and Hydroponics

Aeroponic Systems

By: Adrian Aguilar-Robles

• Aeroponic Systems use up to 98% less water (NASA)
• Avoid use of pesticides
• No soil means less chance of disease
• Vegetation can be grown out of season
• Aeroponics are "rapid growth" meaning healthier plants ready for harvest sooner

Acknowledgments

Aeroponic Systems

How Aeroponic Systems Work

• Aeroponics are similar to conventional Hydroponics but differ in their growth strategies
• No growth medium
• Plants suspended
• Nutrient mix sprayed or misted directly onto roots

• Thanks to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the great opportunity
• Special thanks to Rita Bagwe, Ph.D for being a great mentor and motivator
• Thanks to Jinho Jung for great ideas and feedback
• Thanks to all other Great Basin College students, Kelly Kleeb and Marisela Ramirez, participating in the NASA Co-op for their support and feedback
• Thanks to Great Basin College for use of their facilities

Video Credit: Youtube, HowStuffWorks, Aeroponic Wheat

• A seedling is transplanted to an Aeroponic System
• Suspended roots and foliage do not interact with growth mediums
• Roots clump together as they grow
• A pump supplies nutrient mix to roots
• Reservoir holds nutrient mix

Aeroponic System Diagram

Photo Credit: Zambeza.com