Closed Ecological Systems

Tamponnet, C.; Savage, Christopher

doi:10.1080/00219266.1994.9655387

Cited by 17 publications

(12 citation statements)

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“…When such definitions of life are formulated they appear in a couple of forms: parametric (a collection of more general or particular attributes of life forms), cybernetic (a numerical analysis of the properties of life), cellularist/genetic (a small list of the most important features, generally resulting from a diagnostic of life on Earth) and non-Earthcentric. A large collection of definitions of life now exist covering a wide array of such stances and choices (Muller 1955;Gánti 1975;Tamponnet and Savage 1994;DeLoof and Broeck 1995;Maynard Smith and Szathmáry 1995;Lahav 1999;Buiatti and Buiatti 2001;Nevo 2001;Rosslenbroich 2001;Apte 2002;Pályi et al 2002;Szathmáry 2002;Popa 2004;Schultze-Makuch and Irwin 2004).…”

Section: The Search For a Universal Definition Of Lifementioning

confidence: 95%

Necessity, Futility and the Possibility of Defining Life are all Embedded in its Origin as a Punctuated-gradualism

Popa

2010

Orig Life Evol Biosph

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The criteria used for defining life are influenced by various philosophical visions about life, ranging from holism to reductionism and from mechanistic-reductionism to vitalism. Using different scenarios about the origin and evolution of life as well as properties of energy-dissipative systems, artificial life simulations and basic tenets of xenobiology, guidelines can be established for formulating a definition of life. A definition of life is proposed that is parametric, non-Earth-centric, quantitative and capable of discriminating 'living entities' from 'life'. Living entities are defined as self-maintained systems, capable of adaptive evolution individually, collectively or as a line of descend. Life is a broader concept indicating that the capacity to express these attributes is either virtual or actual. At least four major phase transitions can be recognized during the origin of life (reflexive activity; self-regulated homeostasis; the advent of informatons and the origin of adaptive evolution); these make the origin and evolution of early life an example of 'punctuated gradualism'. Such phase transitions can be used to identify a boundary in early evolution where life began. This contribution identifies the step in the evolution of a dynamic system when digital control of the system's state becomes dominant over analogical control, and genetic information is irreversibly used for adaptive evolution, as the boundary between non-living and living systems.

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Section: The Search For a Universal Definition Of Lifementioning

confidence: 95%

Necessity, Futility and the Possibility of Defining Life are all Embedded in its Origin as a Punctuated-gradualism

Popa

2010

Orig Life Evol Biosph

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“…Several excellent reviews of the history of bioregenerative life support systems exist [98–101]. Their benefit stems from their ability to provide edible biomass production, carbon dioxide absorption, oxygen generation, water recycling and waste degradation [102,103]. Evidence also suggests that the use of higher plants could provide the crew with psychological benefits on long duration space missions [104,105].…”

Section: Justification For the Development Of On-line Ion-selective Smentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is general consensus in the community that bioregenerative life support systems become more advantageous in comparison to more traditional physical-chemical based life support systems for distant, long duration missions where resupply becomes too costly [106–111]. This is particularly true as biological systems are presently the only feasible way to generate food [103,112,113]. …”

Section: Justification For the Development Of On-line Ion-selective Smentioning

confidence: 99%

Ion-Specific Nutrient Management in Closed Systems: The Necessity for Ion-Selective Sensors in Terrestrial and Space-Based Agriculture and Water Management Systems

Bamsey

Graham

Thompson

et al. 2012

Sensors

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The ability to monitor and control plant nutrient ions in fertigation solutions, on an ion-specific basis, is critical to the future of controlled environment agriculture crop production, be it in traditional terrestrial settings (e.g., greenhouse crop production) or as a component of bioregenerative life support systems for long duration space exploration. Several technologies are currently available that can provide the required measurement of ion-specific activities in solution. The greenhouse sector has invested in research examining the potential of a number of these technologies to meet the industry's demanding requirements, and although no ideal solution yet exists for on-line measurement, growers do utilize technologies such as high-performance liquid chromatography to provide off-line measurements. An analogous situation exists on the International Space Station where, technological solutions are sought, but currently on-orbit water quality monitoring is considerably restricted. This paper examines the specific advantages that on-line ion-selective sensors could provide to plant production systems both terrestrially and when utilized in space-based biological life support systems and how similar technologies could be applied to nominal on-orbit water quality monitoring. A historical development and technical review of the various ion-selective monitoring technologies is provided.

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“…In order to set up such environments, it will be essential to develop closed-loop life support systems for the crew, which rely on minimal or no re-supply. Such systems will provide for atmosphere regeneration, water recycling, waste treatment and generation of food (Wheeler et al, 1992;Tamponet and Savage, 1994), in an integrated process using regenerative physicochemical and biological technologies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The MELISSA pilot plant facility as an integration test-bed for advanced life support systems

Gòdia

Albiol

Pérez

et al. 2004

Advances in Space Research

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Closed Ecological Systems

Cited by 17 publications

References 0 publications

Necessity, Futility and the Possibility of Defining Life are all Embedded in its Origin as a Punctuated-gradualism

Necessity, Futility and the Possibility of Defining Life are all Embedded in its Origin as a Punctuated-gradualism

Ion-Specific Nutrient Management in Closed Systems: The Necessity for Ion-Selective Sensors in Terrestrial and Space-Based Agriculture and Water Management Systems

The MELISSA pilot plant facility as an integration test-bed for advanced life support systems

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