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

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

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

Commercialization 8 invention disclosures 6 patents 5 license agreements 2 spin off companies 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

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

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 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.

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 key to enable reliable hydroponic nutrient recycling in controlled environments

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 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

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 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

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

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

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.

Integrated Experiments

Advancement of Innovative Technologies LEDs Remote Imaging The integration of precise environment control and detailed physiological measurements will yield significant advances in the depth and scope of our current understanding of plant- environment interactions. Ion sensors Psychrometers

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 Overview of CRD

Benefits of Proposed CRD Meet goals of Science & Technology Strategy (e.g., world class excellence, partnerships) Provide specific solutions to environmental compliance issues in Canada’s $2.4B greenhouse industry (2009) Provide technical solutions for food production in the north Canada

Benefits of Proposed CRD Investment in new HQP and IP Enhanced academic programs Opportunities for licensing and commercialization Sustain UoG stature in ALS niche University of Guelph

Benefits of Proposed CRD New R&D program ~ $2M/yr Establish leadership in niche field New commercial opportunities Training of new HQP COM DEV Ltd.

Benefits of Proposed CRD Signature technology in a strategic area Opportunities for CDN flight experiments Address capacity building mandate of GOC Retain expertise in Canada Canadian Space Agency

Benefits of Proposed CRD Enhanced international collaboration Unique integrated science operations CDN support for next-generation imagers Terrestrial applications for space-developed hardware and technology University of Florida

QUESTIONS

HEALTH BREAK

Research Budget Proposed Cash and In Kind Contributions CashIn Kind University of Guelph590,905 COM DEV Ltd750,000250,000 Canadian Space Agency300,000500,000 NSERC904,165 TOTAL1,954,1651,340,905

Research Budget Proposed Expenditures CategoryTotalPercentage of Total Personnel1,204, % Equipment/Facilities332, % Operating 1 138,7007.1% Collaboration/Travel133,5006.8% Indirect Costs145,8357.5% TOTAL1,954,165 1 Materials & Supplies, Dissemination, Other

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

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

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

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

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

QUESTIONS