Our team has successfully completed this design project. A process flow diagram of how we arrived at these solutions is shown below and is followed by a more in-depth breakdown of each sub teams projects (see next paragraph). We hope that future design teams can build upon our work.
Analyzing our problem, our team decided the best solution was to break our model into three sub groups to deal with the multiple aspects of growing mushrooms in a low gravity environment. These three subgroups covered the pore size and tube geometry, stand and pressure system, and the housing/containment.
Latest Update: 5/6/2021
Analyzing our problem, our team decided the best solution was to break our model into three sub groups to deal with the multiple aspects of growing mushrooms in a low gravity environment. These three subgroups covered the pore size and tube geometry, stand and pressure system, and the housing/containment.
Latest Update: 5/6/2021
Porous Tube Integration and Flow Analysis
Description: The PPTNDS will be designed with NASA researchers in mind. This product is intended to be a tool used during the preliminary stages of research in the Space Crop Production Laboratory at KSC. This sector of design focused on constructing the PPTNDS with water reservoir, porous tube, and inoculated substrate. Images in the slideshow below include a decision matrix used in preliminary decision to use a porous tube, photos of the constructed system, and data gathered by integrating humidity and temperature sensors with the PPTNDS.
Housing Apparatus for Maintaining Environmental Conditions
Description: Mycelia grow through non-traditional conditions; such that the immediate environment around the spawns has to be maintained for optimal yields. The housing unit will maintain the necessary humidity levels through the use of sensors to monitor levels and give real time feedback. The apparatus itself also secures the substrate along the tubing in a way that provides necessary moisture and is still able to support the growing mushrooms.
Adjustable Stand for Mimicking Microgravity
Description: The stand and pressure system will be used individually or in tandem to aid in the delivery of water. Due to the presence of gravity on Earth, the PPTNDS functions differently in the KSC Lab than in microgravity. The stand is required to be 3D printed and will hold the porous tube above the reservoir so that capillary action can take place. While KSC currently has stands, they are hindering the capillary action (due to height) and are not adjustable for the different moisture demands of a variety of crops and mushrooms.
We have redesigned the stand to be adjustable and raise up/ lower down in response to pressure data gathered by a sensor beneath the water reservoir. The pictures below include a preliminary decision matrix (see next paragraph), photos of the operable system, and the code and sensor network incorporated in the system.
Decision Matrix Pictures 1 & 2: As shown in the pictures below, we utilized decisions matrices to analyze different methods of adjustment. Based on this analysis, our best solution to pursue is a microcontroller design which features a ‘continuous’ system that can be adjusted either passively (without the microcontroller) or actively (when hooked up to a power supply). This design works in tandem with the pressure system to determine and adjust the required stand height based on measurements taken from the pressure system which, as shown by Figure 2, also scored highest in the matrix-style analysis.
We have redesigned the stand to be adjustable and raise up/ lower down in response to pressure data gathered by a sensor beneath the water reservoir. The pictures below include a preliminary decision matrix (see next paragraph), photos of the operable system, and the code and sensor network incorporated in the system.
Decision Matrix Pictures 1 & 2: As shown in the pictures below, we utilized decisions matrices to analyze different methods of adjustment. Based on this analysis, our best solution to pursue is a microcontroller design which features a ‘continuous’ system that can be adjusted either passively (without the microcontroller) or actively (when hooked up to a power supply). This design works in tandem with the pressure system to determine and adjust the required stand height based on measurements taken from the pressure system which, as shown by Figure 2, also scored highest in the matrix-style analysis.