NSERC Collaborative Research & Development Project

1. NSERCCollaborative Research & Development Project Innovative Technologies in Challenging Environments (InTICE) Dr. Michael Dixon, Principal Investigator Dr. Bernie Grodzinski, Co-Applicant April 27, 2011

2. History • NSERC CRD 1994 • OCE/Industry project support 1993 – present • CFI/OIT 1999

3. Technology Transfer The “pull” of technology requirements for human space exploration yields significant benefits to terrestrial industry

4. Commercialization • Product/application development: • EnviroGro Recyclable Media • RoyalGro1, RoyalGro2 • Guelph BlueBox SECs • Fly Larvae Organic Fertilizer • Root Rescue Landscape Powder • Aqueous Ozone Disinfection • Wireless Sensor Interface • Automated Psychrometer Interface • Hybrid Biofilter • Modular Biofilter • Ammonia Scrubber • 8 invention disclosures • 6 patents • 5 license agreements • 2 spin off companies

5. Proposed CRD project Develop & Test Innovative Technologies to Enhance the Reliability of Controlled Environment Food Production LED Arrays Ion Specific Sensors Stem Psychrometer Remote Imaging System

6. Light Emitting Diodes • Manipulating the quality, quantity and distribution of light energy in the plant canopy • Applying innovative LED technology • Refining the management and measurement of plant physiological responses to light • Integrate the management of plant nutrition

7. Light Emitting Diodes MSc (2) Programs (M1, M2, M10, M11, M14) Evaluation of selected components;engineering and testing in specific applications for plant production. Evaluation of plant responses to spectral quality (P, E, stomatal function, biomass, etc) at various physiological stages.

8. Ion Specific Sensor Technology • Nutrient solution quality is the last uncontrolled major environment variable • Agri-Food sector faces legislation to mitigate environmental impact • Absolute requirement in space to recycle • New sensor technology holds the keyto enable reliable hydroponic nutrient recycling in controlled environments

9. Ion Specific Sensor Technology • Application of newly developed optrode sensors for measuring N, P, K, Ca • Develop hardware interface and adaptive software algorithms for deploying ion sensors • Confirm nutrient management protocols • Measure plant physiological responses to combined management of light and nutrition

10. Ion Specific Sensor Technology PDF, PhD Programs (M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M14) Develop and test hardware interface and software Controlled environment chamber field trials Commercial-scale field trials with industry collaborators Detailed horticultural assessment of efficacy

11. Remote Imaging System • Design and engineer prototype fluorescence imaging system • Harden and refine prototype design in CESRF chambers (e.g., image size, telemetry, data storage and analysis) • Characterize plant health and gene expression responses under various nutrient and light conditions

12. Remote Imaging System PDF, PhD Programs (M9, M10, M11, M14) Development & testing of next generation remote chlorophyll fluorescence imaging system Deployment of imaging system to monitor plant health in controlled environments

13. Technology Transfer Current Flight Mission APEX Joint CSA – NASA Payload The “pull” of technology is not only relevant; it is real, iterative, and it brings real-time benefits to terrestrial Canadian industry CRD Current Analog Deployments HMP – Devon Island Orbit – Shuttle to ISS ACMG Middeck locker Express Rack TIS-II ABRS GFP Arabidopsis

14. Stem Psychrometer • Refine technical applications and deploy automated stem psychrometerson candidate crops • Monitor integrated plant water status in response to environmental management • Develop optimum environment control algorithms

15. Stem Psychrometer MSc (2) Programs (M11, M12, M13, M14) Refine hardware and technical applications, evolve feedback control software algorithms based on integrated water status measurements. Correlate water relations and other plant physiological responses to imposed environmental regimes of lighting & nutrition in SECs.

16. Integrated Experiments

17. Overview of CRD • Training and development of 23 new HQP to meet specific industry & space science needs of the future • Unique coalition of science and technology • New international partnership (UFlorida) • New commercialization opportunities in the Canadian greenhouse and aerospace sectors (e.g. food production in north, flight hardware) • Canadian niche field at the forefront

18. QUESTIONS

19. HEALTH BREAK

20. Research Budget Proposed Cash and In Kind Contributions

21. Research Budget Proposed Expenditures 1 Materials & Supplies, Dissemination, Other

22. CRD Management Co-Applicant Dr. B. Grodzinski Principal Investigator Dr. M. Dixon Project Admin T. Rondeau Vuk Technical Manager Dr. Y. Zheng CSA Dr. A. Berinstain UFlorida Dr.’s R. Ferl, A-L. Paul COM DEV Dr. A. Scott, Ed Passon PDF M. Bamsey INO Technical Lead (Sensors) T. Graham Technical Lead (Comp & Data Acq). J. Lawson Technical Lead (SECs) Dr. M. Stasiak Technical Lead (Imaging) Dr. D. Leonardos Hort Tech D. Gidzinski GC/IRGA Tech L. Wang HPLC Tech P. Zhang

23. CRD Management • Quarterly mtg’s with Industry/Agency partners • CRD PI/Co-Applicant, Program Manager, Research Leads • Teleconferences as required • Planning mtg’s monthly • CRD PI/Co-Applicant, Research Leads, Program Manager • Sub Level mtg’s bi-weekly • Research Leads, Support Personnel • Open door policy of PI for internal program management, research leads, students and support staff

24. Research Personnel M. Dixon, Director CESRF, Principal Investigator B. Grodzinski, Co-Director CESRF, Co-Applicant R. Ferl and A-L. Paul, UoF Collaborators, Imaging Systems A. Berinstain, CSA Collaborator, Ion Sensors, Imaging Systems A. Scott, E. Passon, COM DEV, Ion Sensors, LEDs T. Rondeau Vuk, Program Manager, Contract and Financial Y. Zheng, Technical Manager, Facility Operations M. Stasiak, Senior Research Associate, LEDs & Psychrometer D. Leonardos, Senior Research Associate, Imaging Systems M. Bamsey, CSA PDF, Ion Sensors T. Graham, Senior Research Associate, Ion Sensor Lead J. Lawson, Senior Technician, Computer Systems, Data Acquisition Technical Support Personnel, Students, Interns

25. Intellectual Property Highlights of the draft agreement include: • Appropriate protection and safeguarding of confidential and/or proprietary information • Terms on ownership of and access to new IP • Terms for publication of scientific results • Other participants will be acknowledged and benefit accordingly

26. Benefits of Proposed CRD • Canada • Meets goals of Science & Technology Strategy • Environmental compliance in Canada’s $2.4B greenhouse industry • Technologies for food production in the north • COM DEV Ltd • New R&D program ~ $2M/yr • Development of new commercial opportunities • Establish leadership in niche field • Canadian Space Agency • Signature technology in a strategic area • Addresses capacity building and retention mandate • Potential space flight opportunities for CDN technologies • UoGuelphUoFlorida • Investment in new HQP and IP - Enhanced International collaboration • Enhanced academic programs - Unique integrated science operations • Sustain UoG stature in ALS - CDN support for imagers

27. QUESTIONS