NASA is supporting research at Louisiana Tech to develop sustainable farming techniques for space and lunar environments. Under the leadership of Dr. Joan Lynam, the team is investigating how to cultivate crops without soil by using human waste, specifically urine, as a nutrient source. Their research compares plants grown with synthetic urine against those with conventional nutrients. They are utilizing a method called direct contact membrane dissolution, which converts urine into vapor that can be condensed and used as fertilizer. This innovative technique is designed to ensure human survival and sustainability during deep space missions, with plans to implement it within the next six years, reported Biloxi.
A biomass research team from Louisiana Tech University’s College of Engineering and Science, including Dr. Joan Lynam, Dr. Aamir Iqbal, and PhD student Tarikuzzaman, is exploring new methods for growing crops without soil. This approach is crucial for space exploration and for establishing habitats beyond Earth.
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