Nature's efficient energy production, storage, and data processing

Converting the solar energy received on the surface of the Earth has not been practical with heat engines because of the low density of this energy. On a clear bright day in the summer, the sun generally delivers less than 80 W per square foot. Also, heat engines are prohibited from exceeding the Carnot-cycle efficiency limit. On the other hand, plants perform their energy conversion electrochemically, and, hence, are not limited by the Carnot-cycle. They use solar energy to produce useful fuels that range from corn-cobs and maple syrup to pitch and firewood. However, they have an extremely complicated process control that uses blue and red parts of the visible solar spectrum to extract hydrogen from water and carbon from carbon dioxide to make hydrocarbons. They do not need precious-metal catalysts; however they run complex data processing programs in which stored instructions control electrochemical reactions and also cause growth and production of needed products to occur when needed.     

Dynamic optimization of CELSS crop photosynthetic rate by computer-assisted feedback control.

A procedure for dynamic optimization of net photosynthetic rate (Pn) for crop production in Controlled Ecological Life-Support Systems (CELSS) was developed using leaf lettuce as a model crop. Canopy Pn was measured in real time and fed back for environmental control. Setpoints of photosynthetic photon flux (PPF) and CO2 concentration for each hour of the crop-growth cycle were decided by computer to reach a targeted Pn each day. Decision making was based on empirical mathematical models combined with rule sets developed from recent experimental data. Comparisons showed that dynamic control resulted in better yield per unit energy input to the growth system than did static control. With comparable productivity parameters and potential for significant energy savings, dynamic control strategies will contribute greatly to the sustainability of space-deployed CELSS.     

Novel sensor technology for monitoring and control of critical plant nutrient parameters.

A novel dielectric sensor technology has been developed for monitoring and control of plant nutrient delivery systems as part of NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) program. A unique measurement phenomenon was discovered in which the electrostatic field is shunted to a third terminal of the sensor, resulting in a much greater sensitivity to changes in the complex dielectric properties of the nutrient solution. Based on this phenomenon, a small, flexible, thin-film shunting dielectric sensor (SDS) was designed to provide low-frequency, non-invasive measurement of both the thickness and nutrient concentration of the layer of solution on a plant growth surface. Test results indicate a sensitivity of +/- 0.05mm in layer thickness while characterization of the ability to measure nutrient concentration continues. The development plan for this sensor is presented and other applications are discussed.     

Radiation biodosimetry: applications for spaceflight.

The multiparametric dosimetry system that we are developing for medical radiological defense applications could be adapted for spaceflight environments. The system complements the internationally accepted personnel dosimeters and cytogenetic analysis of chromosome aberrations, considered the best means of documenting radiation doses for health records. Our system consists of a portable hematology analyzer, molecular biodosimetry using nucleic acid and antigen-based diagnostic equipment, and a dose assessment management software application. A dry-capillary tube reagent-based centrifuge blood cell counter (QBC Autoread Plus, Becton [correction of Beckon] Dickinson Bioscience) measures peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes, which could determine radiation dose based on the kinetics of blood cell depletion. Molecular biomarkers for ionizing radiation exposure (gene expression changes, blood proteins) can be measured in real time using such diagnostic detection technologies as miniaturized nucleic acid sequences and antigen-based biosensors, but they require validation of dose-dependent targets and development of optimized protocols and analysis systems. The Biodosimetry Assessment Tool, a software application, calculates radiation dose based on a patient's physical signs and symptoms and blood cell count analysis. It also annotates location of personnel dosimeters, displays a summary of a patient's dosimetric information to healthcare professionals, and archives the data for further use. These radiation assessment diagnostic technologies can have dual-use applications supporting general medical-related care.     

Competition of the natural and manmade biotic cycles in the closed aquatic system.

This study addresses competition between the Paramecium bursaria and zoochlorella-endosymbiosis and the infusoria Paramecium caudatum in a closed aquatic system. The system is a natural model of a simple biotic cycle. P. bursaria consumes glucose and oxygen released by its zoochlorella and releases nitrogenous compounds and carbon dioxide necessary for algal photosynthesis. P. caudatum was fed on bacteria. It was shown that the infusoria P. bursaria united in one cycle with Chlorella had a higher competitive ability than P. caudatum. With any initial percentage of the infusoria in the mixed culture, the end portion of P. bursaria reached 90-99%, which was significantly higher than the end potion of the P. caudatum population. It is assumed that the sustenance expenditures of P. caudatum were greater than those of the endosymbiotic paramecium, i.e. the closing of the components into a biotic cycle leads to a decrease in sustenance expenditures.     

Initial closed operation of the CELSS Test Facility Engineering Development Unit.

As part of the NASA Advanced Life Support Flight Program, a Controlled Ecological Life Support System (CELSS) Test Facility Engineering Development Unit has been constructed and is undergoing initial operational testing at NASA Ames Research Center. The Engineering Development Unit (EDU) is a tightly closed, stringently controlled, ground-based testbed which provides a broad range of environmental conditions under which a variety of CELSS higher plant crops can be grown. Although the EDU was developed primarily to provide near-term engineering data and a realistic determination of the subsystem and system requirements necessary for the fabrication of a comparable flight unit, the EDU has also provided a means to evaluate plant crop productivity and physiology under controlled conditions. This paper describes the initial closed operational testing of the EDU, with emphasis on the hardware performance capabilities. Measured performance data during a 28-day closed operation period are compared with the specified functional requirements, and an example of inferring crop growth parameters from the test data is presented. Plans for future science and technology testing are also discussed.     

Population dynamics of transgenic microorganisms in the different microecosystem conditions.

The role of key environmental factors in adaptation of spore-forming and non-spore-forming transgenic microorganisms (TM) have been studied in model ecosystems. Model TM Escherichia coli Z905 (bearing plasmid genes of bacterial luminescence Ap (r) Lux+) has been found to have a higher adaptation potential than TM Bacillus subtilis 2335/105 (bearing genes of human alpha 2-interferon Km (r) Inf+), planned for employment as a living vaccine under varying environmental conditions. Effects of abiotic factors on migration of natural and recombinant plasmids between microorganisms under model ecosystem conditions has been estimated. The transgenic microorganisms with low copy number survived better under introduction conditions in the microcosms studied. This trend has been shown to be independent of the microcosm type and its complexity. Grant numbers: 99-04-96017, 25, 00-07-9011.     

Factors influencing the heating of the auroral electrojet by high power radio waves

Results are presented from recent ionospheric modification experiments in which the EISCAT UHF radar measured the E-region temperature and density response to high power RF heating above Tromsø. A variety of electrojet conditions were encountered during these experiments. In particular, the electron drift velocity varied considerably allowing the heating efficiency of the RF heater to be investigated as a function of electron flow velocity. These observations constitute the first direct investigation of electrojet temperature modifications by high power radio waves and provide a test of a recent theoretical model in which the combined effects of RF heating and of natural plasma turbulence associated with the Farley-Buneman instability have been considered.