Abstract: Modular cultivation systems utilized in a Vertical Farm or Plant Factory is described herein. The modular cultivation system has a growing module that includes an expandable and collapsible support frame with growing boards or pods, lighting boards, and an irrigation system arranged within the support frame to maximize the quantity of crops that can be grown within an available volume of space in a Vertical Farm unit, warehouse or greenhouse per unit time. The modular cultivation system further includes a mover robot for moving the growing module. The Vertical Farm relies on an ambulatory cultivation system and a cyclical automated operational protocol for planting, growing and harvesting made possible by the ambulatory growing module. Thus, access for crop planting, maintenance and harvesting is conveniently carried out through automation, that is, by commanding a specific ambulatory cultivation system to move autonomously to designated locations in the vertical farm.

Abstract: The Intelligent Aeroponic Microgravity & Earth Nutrient Delivery (I-AMEND) System is configured to enable the productive growth of crops on the Moon, Mars, and beyond as well as in space stations in low-Earth orbit, such as the International Space Station (ISS), and also on Earth. Principal components of the I-AMEND system may include an aeroponic chamber, a liquid nutrient emitter for emission of a liquid into the aeroponic chamber, and an air emitter for emission of a gust of air into the aeroponic system. The emitters may be positioned upstream or downstream of a plant port of the aeroponic chamber so as to direct the liquid onto or off of a surface of the plant root.

Abstract: Modular cultivation systems utilized in a Vertical Farm or Plant Factory is described herein. The modular cultivation system has a growing module that includes an expandable and collapsible support frame with growing boards or pods, lighting boards, and an irrigation system arranged within the support frame to maximize the quantity of crops that can be grown within an available volume of space in a Vertical Farm unit, warehouse or greenhouse per unit time. The modular cultivation system further includes a mover robot for moving the growing module. The Vertical Farm relies on an ambulatory cultivation system and a cyclical automated operational protocol for planting, growing and harvesting made possible by the ambulatory growing module. Thus, access for crop planting, maintenance and harvesting is conveniently carried out through automation, that is, by commanding a specific ambulatory cultivation system to move autonomously to designated locations in the vertical farm.

Abstract: An air-stirred tank reactor (ASTR) and methods of use thereof are described herein. The ASTR is equipped with an impeller or set of impellers that mechanically mixes a liquid culture, as well as sparges gas into the liquid medium. The impeller can further have lighting sources that can illuminate the liquid culture. Unlike conventional bioreactors, the ASTR provides superior liquid mixing, efficient gas mass transfer, and a low-shear culture environment through appropriate impeller rotational speed and sparging rate.