Abstract: A microgravity agriculture device includes a root cylinder providing a growing medium for the plant and intended for root growth. The root cylinder will extend into a water tank, and the root cylinder will include apertures and wicking elements to draw water from the water tank into the root cylinder for availability to the plant roots. The geometries of the water tank, root cylinder, apertures and wicking elements are designed in a manner to ensure water surface tension will cause water in the tank to fill and stay in the proper areas to ensure water flow to the plant, no obstruction of vents during tank filling, and no egress of the water through the vents.

Abstract: A device for microwave heating with inversion has a base and a cover defining a heating chamber. Both the base and the cover include a susceptor heatable by microwave energy and the cover includes an aperture to vent steam. With a food product in the heating chamber, the device is placed in a microwave oven resting on the base. During an initial heating period, the lower surface of the food product is browned or crisped due to conduction and steam escapes from the heating chamber via the aperture. After the initial heating period, the device in inverted and the food product comes into contact with the cover. The device is placed in the microwave oven resting on the cover during a secondary heating period in which the food product is heated further, and the upper surface of the food product is browned or crisped due to conduction.

Abstract: A device for and method of microwave heating with inversion. The device includes a base and a cover defining a heating chamber, with both of the base and cover including a susceptor which will be heated by microwave energy. The cover includes one or more apertures to vent steam from the heating chamber. In operation, the device includes a food product in the heating chamber. The device is placed in the microwave oven resting on the base. The microwave oven is operated for an initial heating period. During this time the food product is heated, and the lower surface of the food product is browned or crisped due to conduction. Also during this time, steam is escaping the heating chamber via the aperture. After the initial heating period the device in inverted and the food product comes into contact with the cover. The device is placed in the microwave oven resting on the cover. The microwave oven is operated for a secondary heating period.

Abstract: A microgravity agriculture device includes a root cylinder providing a growing medium for the plant and intended for root growth. The root cylinder will extend into a water tank, and the root cylinder will include apertures and wicking elements to draw water from the water tank into the root cylinder for availability to the plant roots. The geometries of the water tank, root cylinder, apertures and wicking elements are designed in a manner to ensure water surface tension will cause water in the tank to fill and stay in the proper areas to ensure water flow to the plant, no obstruction of vents during tank filling, and no egress of the water through the vents.

Abstract: Nesting measuring cups include a first measuring cup having a measuring portion for measuring a first volume, a first handle provided on first measuring portion, and measuring cup includes upper and lower faces. A first pour spout on first measuring portion has two spaced apart end walls defining pour spout. A second measuring cup has a second measuring portion for measuring a second volume and a second handle. Second measuring volume is smaller than first measuring volume and nests inside it. A second pour spout is on second measuring portion, and a post is provided adjacent lower face of second measuring portion. Post is engageable with a stop on upper face of first measuring portion, so user may rotate second measuring cup relative to first measuring cup until post engages stop, stops rotation of first and second measuring cups relative to each other, and achieves fixed fanned out position.