Program for Spaceborne and Earthbound System Sustainability

PSESS

A sampling of our current and past research projects is below.

Offensive odors in confined spaces may reduce productivity levels and create tension between people.  This team is currently investigating methods for identifying the chemicals that make up an odor and researching methods for mitigating odors in confined spaces.   

The multidimensional data analysis group is working to apply existing tools and develop new tools to visualize data sets with many dimensions.  The team is currently exploring techniques such as Principle Component Analysis (PCA), Self Organizing Maps (SOM) and Generative Topographic Maps (GTM). 

Efficiently growing food crops with minimal inputs and recyclable outputs will benefit closed system processes, whether the closed system is the earth or a lunar colony.  The food systems group is working to design crop growth systems that “complete the circle.”

Making sound decisions about management of the environment requires high quality data.  The environmental monitoring group is working to improve our ability to understand our environment through advanced monitoring techniques, including remote sensing and innovative in situ sensors.

This team is conducting research on Bio-Degradable and Bio-Renewable polymers made from soy and zein proteins. As this research progresses it brings us toward a more convenient and sustainable future … two attributes that are not often found in the same product.

Odor Control

Environmental Monitoring

Food Systems

Multidimensional Data Analysis

Sustainable Materials

Projects