Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?

Undergraduate

Project Type

group

Authors' Class Standing

Collin Topolski, Senior Kayla Hollis, Junior Danayit Mekonnen, Sophomore Marcos Zamora, Senior John Trzinski, Junior Vijay Duraisamy, PhD. Candidate

Lead Presenter's Name

Collin Topolski

Faculty Mentor Name

Dr. Karen Gaines

Abstract

This project aims to build a versatile chamber that is capable of allowing experiments for any component required in an advanced life support system while maintaining a much lower cost compared to similar commercial products. The researchers plan to use the chamber for conducting experiments on plant and microbial life in a stable environment. These experiments will further research toward a bio-regenerative life support system capable of allowing humans to explore beyond Earth. The system is designed to control temperature, atmospheric composition, air flow, ambient pressure, water distribution, and light intensity. With these factors, the experiments can more closely mimic the environment of Mars, test the ability of an aeroponics growth system for plants, or even use a previously built-in-house clinostat to achieve hypogravity testing. The chamber walls have gone through structural evaluation and the analysis has driven further design constraints. Additionally, other subsystems are being tested separately before their integration.

Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?

Yes, Ignite Grant

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Design and Development of a Controlled Environment Chamber

This project aims to build a versatile chamber that is capable of allowing experiments for any component required in an advanced life support system while maintaining a much lower cost compared to similar commercial products. The researchers plan to use the chamber for conducting experiments on plant and microbial life in a stable environment. These experiments will further research toward a bio-regenerative life support system capable of allowing humans to explore beyond Earth. The system is designed to control temperature, atmospheric composition, air flow, ambient pressure, water distribution, and light intensity. With these factors, the experiments can more closely mimic the environment of Mars, test the ability of an aeroponics growth system for plants, or even use a previously built-in-house clinostat to achieve hypogravity testing. The chamber walls have gone through structural evaluation and the analysis has driven further design constraints. Additionally, other subsystems are being tested separately before their integration.

 

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