Spectroscopic System for the Accurate Determination of [O2], [CO2], d18O-O2, d13C-CO2, and Ethylene in Plant Chambers

In this STTRnbsp;program, Nikira Labs Inc. and Colorado State University (CSU) will collaborate to develop an analyzer that measures oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen isotope (d18O-O2), carbon isotope (d13C-CO2), and ethylene fluxes in plant chambers for direct quantification of photosynthesis, respiration, and plant health.nbsp;In Phase I, Nikira Labs and CSU demonstrated technical feasibility by developing, testing, and deploying an analyzer for plant studies.nbsp; The analyzer was found to measure [12CO2], [13CO2], [16O16O], and [18O16O] to better than plusmn;3.5 ppm, plusmn;0.85 ppm, plusmn;400 ppm, and plusmn;15 ppm (1 sigma, 30 s), sufficient to show photosynthesis and respiration.nbsp; Moreover, the analyzer provided a linear response (R2 gt; 0.99) for all four isotopomers.nbsp; The analyzer and was then deployed at CSU to study plants under a variety of conditions.nbsp; Plants were measured under water, heat, and salinity stresses, showing changes innbsp;photosynthesis, respiration, andnbsp;assimilation/respiratory quotients.nbsp; Another set of plants were subject to 13C-doping under dark and light conditions, showingnbsp;13C fixing due to photosynthesis.nbsp; Finally, the Phase I results were used to identifynbsp;improvements for the Phase II instruments.nbsp;In Phase II, Nikira Labs and CSU will incorporatenbsp;the improvements to develop, test, deploy, and deliver 2 analyzers.nbsp; The first analyzer will measure [12CO2], [13CO2], [16O16O], and [18O16O] with higher accuracy in a more compact form factor.nbsp; The second unit will extend the technology to measure ethylene with ppb-level sensitivity.nbsp; Both systems will be deployed at CSU and incorporated into a custom, controlled plant chamber for plant stress studies.nbsp; Data analytics will be developed to identify abnormal behavior and signal initial signs of plant stress prior visual evidence.nbsp; After extensive experimentation, both analyzers will be deployed at Kennedy Space Center into existing plant habitats. nbsp;nbsp;Finally, the analyzers will be delivered to NASA for further studies.