3D Printing of Hydrogel-Based Seed Planter for In-Space Seed Nursery

Abstract

AbstractInterest in manufacturing parts using 3D printing became popular across academic and industrial sectors because of its improved reliability and accessibility. With the necessity of self-sustentation, growing plant in space is one of the most popular topics. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is one of the best candidates for sprouting substrate with 3D printing fabrication as it is non-toxic, biodegradable, and suitable for extrusion-based 3D printing. Soybeans were placed into the designed and printed CMC gel with different orientations. Without visible light, soybeans with hilum facing side had the highest water absorption average comparing those facing up or down. Hydrogel weight dominated the water absorption efficiency. These findings signified that bean orientation affects the sprouting process. This study demonstrates the substrate geometry and seed orientation impacts on germination of soybeans, proposed guidelines for optimizing the sprouting process for high-level edible plants and promoting innovated in-space seed nursery approach.