Rotary Aeroponic shipping containers for localized, energy-efficient production of fresh produce.

The goal of this project is to develop a shipping container configuration of the Rotary Aeroponics technology. This project will improve access to fresh and nutritious produce by bringing food closer to the end consumer and thus alleviating the stress of food deserts. Environmental goals of this project are to reduce the overall footprint of conventional agriculture including reduced carbon dioxide and methane emissions, decreased food and plastic waste, and improved water and land use efficiency.By the end of the Phase I project, we will have finalized the design and optimized the performance of the "grow sleds" that make up the Rotary Aeroponic system within the container, each sled with a grow tower and isolated watering system. The LED array light intensity will be optimized for maximum light that the plants can use for photosynthesis without significant heat buildup and we will have tested 25 plant varieties and identified those varieties that perform best in the system. During these plant growth experiments, data will be collected related to energy consumption, water usage, and plant growth and final yields. This data will provide the basis for comparison of the sustainability of the system and the potential impact on food waste.Objectives:Integrate rotary aeroponic "grow sleds" into a climate controlled shipping container and optimize systems for best performanceDevelop container components and standard protocols to ensure ergonomics during harvest and to maintain a pest-free environmentOptimize performance of LED arrays and airflow for high photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) without excessive heat productionIdentify plant varieties with optimal performance in the container form factor and assess plant performance and yieldPerform plant growth assessments to confirm rates of seedling emergence, time to harvest, and yield at harvestExplore and identify additional plant varieties that are suitable for this form factorAssess the opportunity for the container to provide access to safe and nutritious produce and the sustainability of the container modelUse yield, water and energy usage, and plant growth metrics from objective 2 to evaluate the sustainability and waste reduction potential of the container model