These plant growth chambers were designed as two totally sealed and environmentally controlled spaces in which some of the contributions of plants to the function of life support are studied. In this context, life support is defined as the production of oxygen, fresh water and biomass for food while consuming carbon dioxide. Even though these functions are the natural consequences of photosynthesis and growth in plant systems, the technical challenge in harnessing these to support human life in a sealed space results mainly from the limited volume and capacitance of the system.

Our major objectives focus on management of the recycled hydroponic nutrient solution, monitoring the accumulation of gaseous hydrocarbons (eg. ethylene) and volatile organic compounds which may off-gas from plants or chamber materials, evaluating methods of efficient lighting in dense plant canopies, evaluating environment sensor technology and devising sophisticated environment control strategies through computer-automated feedback control.