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: A Vertical-Hive Green Box (or V-Hive Green Box) is a modular cultivation system utilized in a modular Vertical Farm or Plant Factory, as well as a warehouse-type or greenhouse-type of vertical farm or plant factory. The V-Hive Green Box includes growing boards, lighting boards, and an irrigation system arranged within a frame structure to maximize the quantity of crops that can be grown within an available volume of space in a modular Vertical Farm unit, warehouse or greenhouse per unit time. The V-Hive Green Box can also include aquaculture boards that can be used for aquaculture of aquatic fish and plants.

Abstract: A phyto-mediated wastewater treatment bioreactor (PWBR) for treating wastewater effluent and agricultural effluent is disclosed herein. The PWBR is used to clean and remove emerging contaminants from water. These emerging compounds include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutical compounds, steroids and hormones, and industrial and household chemicals. Plants and/or the microorganisms adhering to the plant roots and their growing medium have the ability to take up many of these contaminants and the PWBR maximizes their treatment capability in a given space and time.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing biomass and secondary metabolite accumulation of microalgal species are described herein. A cell culture of the microalgal species were elicited using a combination of techniques for a period of time. Experimental studies compared biomass dry weight production, chlorophyll dry weight content and astaxanthin dry weight content between controls and elicitation treatments. The present invention demonstrated that combined elicitation is an effective method for improving cell biomass growth and astaxanthin production.

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: Disclosed herein are bioreactors that include a container for holding fluid aligned on a vertical axis, wherein at least a portion of the container is oriented at an angle relative to the vertical axis, wherein the angle is from about 0° to 90°. In some embodiments, the container is placed on a support structure with portions of the container oriented at alternating angles. The system is essentially closed except for at least one opening (for example an opening at the bottom edge) that allows for the introduction of gases and/or nutrients. The gas and/or nutrients are introduced in such a way as to provide mixing and aeration of a cell culture in the bioreactor. Also disclosed are methods of culturing cells (such as microalgae, macroalgae, bacteria, fungi, insect cells, plant cells, animal cells, or plant or animal tissue or organs) using a bioreactor described herein.

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.

Abstract: An Axial Dispersion Bioreactor (ADBR) is designed for the photoautotrophic, mixotrophic or heterotrophic growth and production of microalgae and other microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, etc.) as well as cell cultures of plants, animals, insects and others. The ADBR is equipped with a plate having a plurality of holes that moves longitudinally or axially within the bioreactor to effect superior hydrodynamic and mixing patterns. The ADBR has the advantages of providing a low-shear culture environment, superior liquid mixing, and efficient gas mass transfer.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing biomass and secondary metabolite accumulation of microalgal species are described herein. A cell culture of the microalgal species were elicited using a combination of techniques for a period of time. Experimental studies compared biomass dry weight production, chlorophyll dry weight content and astaxanthin dry weight content between controls and elicitation treatments. The present invention demonstrated that combined elicitation is an effective method for improving cell biomass growth and astaxanthin production.

Abstract: A Vertical-Hive Green Box (or V-Hive Green Box) is a modular cultivation system utilized in a modular Vertical Farm or Plant Factory, as well as a warehouse-type or greenhouse-type of vertical farm or plant factory. The V-Hive Green Box includes growing boards, lighting boards, and an irrigation system arranged within a frame structure to maximize the quantity of crops that can be grown within an available volume of space in a modular Vertical Farm unit, warehouse or greenhouse per unit time. The V-Hive Green Box can also include aquaculture boards that can be used for aquaculture of aquatic fish and plants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bioreactors that include a vessel with sides and a bottom, at least one opening in the vessel connected to a means for introducing a gas, and at least one scaffold in the vessel oriented substantially vertically in the vessel. The scaffolds are two substantially parallel sheets that are separated by a distance (dmin). Also disclosed herein are bioreactors that include a vessel with sides and a bottom, at least one opening in the vessel connected to a means for introducing a gas, and at least two scaffolds in the vessel oriented substantially vertically in the vessel. The disclosure also includes methods of culturing cells including incubating a suspension of cells in a disclosed bioreactor and introducing a gas through the at least one opening in the vessel. In some examples, the cells include microalgae, macroalgae, bacteria, fungi, insect cells, plant cells, or animal cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bioreactors that include a vessel with sides and a bottom, at least one opening in the vessel connected to a means for introducing a gas, and at least one scaffold in the vessel oriented substantially vertically in the vessel. The scaffolds are two substantially parallel sheets that are separated by a distance (dmin). Also disclosed herein are bioreactors that include a vessel with sides and a bottom, at least one opening in the vessel connected to a means for introducing a gas, and at least two scaffolds in the vessel oriented substantially vertically in the vessel. The disclosure also includes methods of culturing cells including incubating a suspension of cells in a disclosed bioreactor and introducing a gas through the at least one opening in the vessel. In some examples, the cells include microalgae, macroalgae, bacteria, fungi, insect cells, plant cells, or animal cells.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bioreactors that include a container for holding fluid aligned on a vertical axis, wherein at least a portion of the container is oriented at an angle relative to the vertical axis, wherein the angle is from about 0° to 90°. In some embodiments, the container is placed on a support structure with portions of the container oriented at alternating angles. The system is essentially closed except for at least one opening (for example an opening at the bottom edge) that allows for the introduction of gases and/or nutrients. The gas and/or nutrients are introduced in such a way as to provide mixing and aeration of a cell culture in the bioreactor. Also disclosed are methods of culturing cells (such as microalgae, macroalgae, bacteria, fungi, insect cells, plant cells, animal cells, or plant or animal tissue or organs) using a bioreactor described herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bioreactors including a first sheet and a second sheet, wherein the second sheet is disposed adjacent to the first sheet, and the first and second sheets are sealed along a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, a first horizontal edge, a second horizontal edge, and at least one intermediate horizontal seal, thereby forming at least two chambers for holding fluid in series along a vertical axis, wherein each of the two or more chambers is oriented at an angle relative to the vertical axis, and at least one of the chambers is oriented at an angle greater than 0°, and wherein there is at least one opening in each of the first horizontal edge, the second horizontal edge, and intermediate horizontal seal(s); Also disclosed are methods of culturing cells including circulating a suspension of cells in a disclosed bioreactor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are bioreactors including a first sheet and a second sheet (one or both of which is substantially transparent to light), wherein the second sheet is disposed adjacent to the first sheet, and the first and second sheets are sealed along a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, a first horizontal edge, a second horizontal edge, and at least one intermediate horizontal seal between the first horizontal edge and the second horizontal edge, thereby forming at least two chambers for holding fluid in series along a vertical axis, wherein each of the two or more chambers is oriented at an angle relative to the vertical axis, wherein the angle is about 0° to about 90° and at least one of the chambers is oriented at an angle greater than 0°, and wherein there is at least one opening in each of the first horizontal edge, the second horizontal edge, and intermediate horizontal seal(s); a support structure comprising at least one horizontal support, wherein the horizontal support is located