Photocatalytic Ethylene Scrubber

Ethylene Removal Concept

Conducting plant research in microgravity requires a research facility that is enclosed and environmentally controlled. However, an enclosed chamber may result in a high concentration of ethylene, a potent hormone produced by the plants, which can accumulate to levels well above what plants are able to adapt to. The physiological effects of excessive ethylene on plant development include induction of male sterility.

WCSAR has developed an improved third-generation ethylene scrubber for use in our plant growth chambers, as well as in commercial applications, to increase shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables. The technology is able to significantly reduce ethylene levels even under conditions of up to 86% humidity. The scrubber uses a photocatalyst that effectively oxidixes ethylene to carbon dioxide and water when irradiated by UV light. The photocatalytic material is not consumed during the oxidation process making this technology attractive to long-term space-based applications where the supply of consumable materials becomes a challenge. The plant science research group is developing Arabidopsis-based protocols to test the latest technology on a biological system.

Ethylene Removal Rate