The new Attis-Panel from PhytoLux was featured in the BBC's Stargazing Live: Back to Earth. Filmed at the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire on Thursday 19th March 2015, the live broadcast was hosted by Physicist Professor Brian Cox and Irish comedian and TV presenter, Dara O’Briain and featured special guest Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the Moon.
Dara O'Briain highlighted the effects on humans of travelling to and living on Mars and the potential difficulty that would be faced in terms of food production and long term food supply. One challenge is the technological requirements of growing crops such as leafy salads with artificial light with minimal energy consumption. As is widely known, intensive research has been carried out on the benefits of using LED lights for this purpose with the key focus on the red and blue spectrum. Within an enclosed environment, such as a space station, this narrow spectrum can limit the astronauts’ ability to inspect plants, as well as having adverse psychological effects.
The introduction of a broader spectrum LED light assures good plant growth while addressing these concerns. Christopher Welch, Professor of Astronautics and Director Masters Programs at the International Space University in Strasbourg, briefly addressed these issues during the program. Christopher referenced the PhytoLux Attis-Panel and control system that was used on set to highlight the positive benefits of adjustable broad spectrum systems.
The new Attis-Panel is a thin profile, low energy, LED system with up to 9 wavelengths that are individually programmable. The panel has been designed in conjunction with one of the UK’S leading controlled environment companies with support from The Plant Sciences Department at the University of Oxford. The Attis-Panel provides a fully controllable solution for university and research growth chambers and for use in vertical and urban farming.
PhytoLux were invited to take part in BBC's Stargazing Live as a result of the work they are doing on the educational project "Rocket Science" that is being run by RHS Wisley and the European and UK Space Agencies. PhytoLux will provide lighting for an exhibit that will be located in the ‘Discovery Zone’ of the Great Pavillion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May 2015.
For more information
PhytoLux
Neil Brassington
C: 0774 0024 007
T: 0844 880 4763 (office)