News

The final test has started. We again test the whole system and the technology, to check of any errors. Additionally, a test for different times of nodulation after germination (14 and 21 days) combined with a darkness simulation test for several days was made. The Medicagos have survived the darness weel. The after 14 days nodulated variants looked much better. So, we will choose this time, to nudulate the plants.

We got a delivery from formlabs today. Preparation are running for the next generation of plants in the new bioboxes and merging the electronical part with the biobox. And with all together we are able to run a complete prototype test!

After a half year we are getting closer to a successful experimental process. By visualizing the fist satisfactorily grown nodules under the microscope!

The grey pictures were taken under the light microscope while the red ones are made with fluorescent light!

In the next two pictures you can see a nodule with a higher magnification. The red dots on the left side of the nodule are the nitrogen fixing bacteria (Sinorhizobium meliloti).

We just assebled our first technical prototype and checked whether all electrical components are working.

To create a prototype we 3d-printed our components. As this prototype is not designed to hold plants, we used resin which is not autoclavable, but cheaper.

Below there is an animation of the 3D print. Overall this print took 9:45h!

After that we replaced our main-board with a PLA-printed dummy and moved its functionality to a breadboard. We found some minor changes that have to be adjusted in the CAD (e.g. more margins/tolerances, etc.) but overall this

After the first light prototype was partially working as intended (we just forgot to connect the light driver to power) the second version was delivered this week.

In contrast to the prior version the pcb is now a true one-layer PCB with an aluminium core. This should simplify the transport of additional heat to the CubeLabs hull.

We also changed the count of LEDs. As our tests have shown 9 LEDs should be sufficient.

The shortfilm about 'Glücksklee' will be broadcasted at 7:30 p.m. on NDR Niedersachsen and on 9:45 p.m. on NDR Info. If you are interested in watching it, just click the following link (it is in german language): NDR Niedersachsen

On 19th May this year the NDR came to our labs to film our work!

We showed our work with the technical side of the experimental chamber and the biological work in the S1 laboratory. It was a great experience with incredible 5 hours of filming, showing and talking.

We received our first batch of prototypes printed with a 3D resin printer. They will be tested to ensure that the chamber survives the autoclave process needed to sterilize all components which have direct contact with the plants or the agar. This is necessary to prevent any form of mold and fungi.

It took time but finally we have our preliminary CAT design. The structural component consists of one large piece that can be separated into a bio chamber and a electrical section. At the top a light module will be placed, on the back a mainboard that contains the Raspberry PI Zero 2W, a Raspberry PI Camera and additional sensors to analyze the environmental conditions.

As our purchased prototype plant boxes did not hold the process of pouring the agar we needed to find an alternative. Luckly multiple members of our team are equipped with 3D printers. So we printed our own!

Another benefit: We could integrate our logo into the design.

To test the illumination used in our experiment a prototype for the Light Module electronics was designed. Today we completed this chapter by placing the required components including 4 to 9 LEDs on the printed circuit board.

The electronics enable the adjustment of brightness and a simulate 16 / 8 hour day-night cycle.

Finding methods

The preliminary experiments are used for practicing the handling and finding the best methods for growing the plants in the boxes.

First the seeds have to germinate on special agar plates:

If the germination is successful, the seedlings are plated on plates for further growing. There we tested if we can grow the plants on wet filter paper (layed on the agar), to simplify the handling with the nodules later.

Next to the experiments with the plates, the first boxes were plantet, too. Unfortunately it wasn't able to clean the cover plate (covers the plant roots, to protect

Excitement filled our social media group, as we learned that the official DLR (German Aerospace Center) website announced the winners of the "Ueberflieger 2" competition! Next to the projects ADDONISS from the TU Munich, BRAINS from the University of Luxemburg and FARGO from the University of Stuttgart, our little clover experiment was selected as one of four projects that will go to the International Space Station!

ADDONISS (Ageing and Degenerative Diseases of Neurons on the ISS) will investigate cultures of brain cells and their behaviour when exposed to chemicals, aimed to induce an

Today is the date about the foundation of our group with the first group members. Pia Bench our groupleader and former had the idea of taking part in the Überflieger 2 competition.

A professor of the Leibniz University Hannover played a role model in having the motivation to send an experiment to the ISS. Emeritus Prof. Günther Scherer worked on the effect of gravity on the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana and their root formations and as well on the phytohormone auxin in connection with low gravity. His scientific posters are still shown on the floors of our campus. His work