Medicinal aeroponics to support resource constrained environments

The purpose of this research project is to explore, and lay the foundation for further exploration, of the use of aeroponic technology to grow medicinal herbs to support the needs of humans who lack medical resources in their constrained environment. This project will give me direct experience exploring a technology supported need in our space program and has the potential to support the needs of humankind as it could be applied to our world’s changing environment and health‐care system. Aeroponics is a form of hydroponic plant cultivation in which plant/herb roots are suspended in a closed chamber and misted with a complete nutrient solution. Aeroponics requires no solid or aggregate growing medium and allows for easy access to roots. The chamber and misting system provide complete control of the root zone environment, including temperature, nutrient level, pH, humidity, misting frequency and duration, and oxygen availability. Plants often exhibit accelerated growth and maturation in aeroponic systems.