Solar-Powered, Spinach-Growing Mars Greenhouse Wins NASA's International Space Apps Challenge

ORIGINAL: Inhabitat

by Beth Buczynski,

09/03/13

With the landing of the Mars Rover, many feel we’re closer than ever to establishing the first Mars colony – but there’s still the question of how to sustain humans on a dead planet. Fortunately, a group of Greek students have come up with a deployable greenhouse that could feed Mars settlers (assuming we could get them there in the first place). The project (called “Popeye on Mars“) has been named a winner in the NASA International Space Apps Challenge, a competition that seeks to engage thousands of people around the world in space exploration. Capable of producing fresh spinach in just 45 days, the dome-shaped aeroponic growing system could be used for pre-deployment on a space mission to the Moon or Mars.

The basic idea behind Popeye on Mars is to create a greenhouse growing unit that could be sent to an otherwise inhospitable planet or moon to begin growing fresh food autonomously before humans arrive. Designed to be deployed near the equator of Mars, Popeye would take advantage of solar energy and a relative lack of inclement weather to form a self-sufficient growing system.

When first deployed, Popeye would look like a simple dome structure. Hidden within is a fully-equipped aeroponic growing system, including sensors and electronic systems needed to stabilize the internal environment and harvest oxygen produced by the plants.

“During the day, when the covers open and the PVPs [photovoltaic panels] are deployed, the greenhouse occupies a circle area of around 1.5 meters radius,” explain the designers. The panels collect solar energy to power the dome’s internal systems, and keep the spinach happy.

“Without human intervention, the greenhouse operates for approximately 45 days (spinach life cycle),” the designers continue. “This period can vary up to 65 days depending on the planted plants. After this period, the stored oxygen (O2) and the produced seeds are ready to be collected. After elementary maintenance and seeds planting, the greenhouse is functional again and ready for the next harvest.”

Popeye on Mars is entirely open-source, and plans can be found on Git Hub.

Via Mashable

Images via POM on YouTube


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The 10 healthiest foods on the Planet

ORIGINAL: My Amazing Earth
by Amazing Earth
May 25, 2013

These 10 super-foods are proven disease fighters and energy boosters according to our pals at fitnessmagazine.com.

Lemons: Just one lemon has more than 100 per cent of your daily intake of vitamin C, which may help increase ‘good’ HDL cholesterol levels and strengthen bones. And the citrus flavonoids found in lemons may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and act as an anti-inflammatory.

Broccoli: One medium stalk of broccoli contains more than 100 per cent of your daily vitamin K requirement and almost 200 per cent of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C — two essential bone-building nutrients. The same serving also helps stave off numerous cancers.

Dark chocolate: Just one-fourth of an ounce daily can reduce blood pressure in otherwise healthy individuals. Cocoa powder is also rich in flavonoids, antioxidants shown to reduce ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and increase ‘good’ HDL levels.

Potatoes: One red potato contains 66 micrograms of cell-building folate — about the same amount found in one cup of spinach or broccoli. One sweet potato has almost eight times the amount of cancer-fighting and immune-boosting vitamin A you need daily.

Salmon: A great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to a reduced risk of depression, heart disease and cancer. A three-ounce serving contains almost 50 per cent of your daily dose of niacin, which may protect against Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.

Walnuts: Contain the most omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce cholesterol, of all nuts. Omega-3s have been shown to improve mood and fight cancer; they may protect against sun damage, too (but don’t skip the SPF!).

Avocados: Rich in healthy, satisfying fats proven in one study to lower cholesterol by about 22 percent. One has more than half the fiber and 40 percent of the folate you need daily, which may reduce your risk of heart disease.

Garlic: Garlic is a powerful disease fighter that can inhibit the growth of bacteria, including E. coli. Allicin, a compound found in garlic, works as a potent anti-inflammatory and has been shown to help lower cholesterol and blood-pressure levels.

Spinach: Spinach contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two immune-boosting antioxidants important for eye health. Recent research found that among cancer-fighting fruits and veggies, spinach is one of the most effective.

Beans: Eating a serving of legumes (beans, peas, and lentils) four times a week can lower your risk of heart disease by 22 percent. That same habit may also reduce your risk of breast cancer.

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