Year
2024
Season
Fall
Paper Type
Master's Thesis
College
College of Computing, Engineering & Construction
Degree Name
Master of Science in Material Science & Engineering (MS)
Department
Engineering
NACO controlled Corporate Body
University of North Florida. School of Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Juan Aceros
Second Advisor
Dr. Stephen Stagon
Third Advisor
Dr. Alan Harris
Fourth Advisor
Dr. Daniel Santavicca
Department Chair
Dr. Daniel Santavicca
College Dean
Dr. William Klostermeyer
Abstract
The future of humanity is often rendered in spectacular visions of a multiplanetary civilization with a booming space economy. Reaching this reality requires addressing one of the core needs of survival: food. Porous ceramics used for Passive Porous Tube Nutrient Delivery Systems (PPTNDS) offer a promising solution. In microgravity environments such as the International Space Station (ISS), fluid dynamics and liquid coagulation do not support conventional agricultural practices. Porous ceramic materials present a solution that enables nutrient solution diffusion via capillary action.
In this research, it was determined that extruding a wadding ceramic tube and sintering it at 1900 °F for 6 hours matches the porosity, water uptake, and pore size requirements prescribed by NASA. This material not only outperformed NASA’s current alumina-based device but also offered higher flexibility for recipe optimization. Additionally, it is substantially cheaper than their current supplier.
Suggested Citation
Mougeot, Lucas S., "Development and characterization of ceramic devices for capillary action in microgravity for the purpose of growing vegetables in space" (2024). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1316.
https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/1316
