PidroponicsHydroponics + Raspberry Pi

Automated Small-Scale Hydroponics for Enhanced Year-Long Production

JOHNNY O’NEAL

IN COLLABORATION WITH SETH WALTERS

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Appalachian State University

Office of Student Research

Johnny O’Neal & Seth Walters | Pidroponics © 2015

The Problem: An Unsustainable Food System

Reliance on Fossil Fuels; ASU local food is 250 mile range

Reliance on Toxic Chemicals

Degradation of Landscape, Loss of Topsoil, Chemical Runoff, Monoculture practices, Labor Conditions

23.5 mil Americans live in Food Desert

20% US Households with Children face Food Insecurity

Produce more than enough food but doesn’t feed everyone

Agriculture is largest contributor to climate change, biodiversity loss

ASK YOURSELF: BUSINESS AS USUAL???

Solution: Automated Hydroponics for Year-Long Production

90% less water use; it cycles continuously

Organic seeds and nutrients – No dangerous chemicals

Faster growth AND up to 5x more plants per meter

Reduced pest and disease occurrence

365 Days Per Year – Optimal Conditions

Solution: Automated Hydroponics for Year-Long ProductionBusiness Opportunity

Local Healthy Food

Average US home living space per person doubled between 1973-2013

Aesthetically Beautiful

Educational and Fun!

Total Environmental Control - Automated

Results: Pidroponics – Raspberry Pi Computer + Hydroponics

87 Days Developing “Pidroponics”

Homemade

Organic Nutrient Solution

CommercialOrganicNutrient Solution

Fluorescent T5 Lights

LED Plant Lights

45 gph H20 Pump

185 gph H20 Pump

Mushroom Wall

Do It Right!

System Maintenance: Design, Clean, Continuously Enhance

Water Management: equipment, know-how

Plant Management: green-thumb

Nutrients: pH, smell, cost

Lights: LED vs Florescent◦ Heat loss, watts used, lifespan,

spectrum provided, cost

Mushroom Wall – Sterilize medium

Traveling – Not a problem anymore!

Steps From Here: Pidroponics 2.0 Plants grown: More plants total Fruiting at Top, Microgreens in Middle, Mushrooms on Bottom

Reservoir: Sump Tank, Smaller Trays, Easier to Clean, Movable

Irrigation: 2 pumps can feed far more than 20 plants

3-D print parts

Lighting: more LED’s = more plants; best option◦ Potential for passive or active solar

Transplant Outdoors, Propagate Cuttings, Collect Seeds

References "Office of Student Research." OSR Research Grants. Appalachian State University, 1 Jan.2015. Web.

11 Apr. 2015. <http://osr.appstate.edu/apply/osr-research-grants>.

"USDA ERS - Irrigation & Water Use." USDA ERS - Irrigation & Water Use. USDA, 7 June 2013. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.

<http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-practices-management/irrigation-water-use.aspx>.

"USDA ERS - Food Security in the U.S.: Key Statistics & Graphics." USDA ERS - Food Security in the

U.S.: Key Statistics & Graphics. USDA, 12 Jan. 2015. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. <http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/food-nutrition-assistance/food-security-in-the-us/

key-statistics-graphics.aspx>.

Carson, Rachel, and Lois Darling. Silent Spring. Boston: Houghton Mifflin 1962. Print. Merrill, Brandon. "Environmental Writing, University of Arizona, Hydroponics System Grows

Crops with Less Water, No Soil by Brandon Merrill." Environmental Writing, University of Arizona,

Hydroponics System Grows Crops with Less Water, No Soil by Brandon Merrill. University

of Arizona, 1 Jan. 2011. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. <http://swes.cals.arizona.edu/environmental_writing/stories/2011/merrill.html>.

"Food & Agriculture." Union of Concerned Scientists. Web. 14 Apr. 2015. <http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture#.VS0CGboV7KM>.

References Continued "Agricultural Marketing Service - Creating Access to Healthy, Affordable Food." Agricultural

Marketing Service - Creating Access to Healthy, Affordable Food. USDA, 1 Jan. 2015. Web.

14 Apr. 2015. <http://apps.ams.usda.gov/fooddeserts/fooddeserts.aspx>.

"Ph/ TDS/PPM Levels for Vegetables." Ph/ TDS/PPM Levels for Vegetables. Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://www.homehydrosystems.com/ph_tds_ppm/ph_vegetables_page.html>.

Matus, Morgana. "Scientists Discover Freshwater Reserves Under Ocean Floor 100 Times Greater

Than All Water Used in the 20th Century.” Inhabitat Sustainable Design Innovation Eco

Architecture Green Building Scientists Discover Freshwater Reserves Under Ocean Floor

100 Times Greater Than All Water Used in the 20th Century Comments. 10 Dec. 2013.

Web. 16 Apr. 2015. <http://inhabitat.com/scientists-discover-freshwater-reserves-under-ocean-100-

times- greater-than-what-humanity-has-used-since-1900/>.

Storey, Amy. "Food Safety and Hydroponics Conventional vs. Organic.” Bright Agrotech. 30 June

2014. Web. 17 Apr. 2015. <http://brightagrotech.com/food-safety-and-hydroponics-conventional-vs-organic-fertilizers/>.

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