Space Grant Consortium - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay

pyrogenic carbon. Perhaps instead of annual insecticide applications it could be stretched
to 3 years, perhaps 5 years or more when applied to Cpyr.”
In Cpyr-DE Slurry Experiment, EAB Mitigation, we attempted to make a long lasting non-toxic
mechanical insecticide by combining Diatomaceous Earth (DE) and Cpyr. 10ml of
Cpyr and 10ml of DE were mixed together in 200ml of water. DE and Cpyr in water did not bind
at STP when stirred. Also the slurry stuck to the glass rod when pulled from the slurry. Then, the
slurry was occasionally stirred with a glass rod while heating to 464°F (240°C). At this point the
glass rod was coming out of the slurry relatively clean. A drop of the heated slurry was placed on
a microscope slide. The following was noted in an email 28
to the team, “I put a sample on a
slide and the DE in some places was absorbing the carbon into the DE cells and in some
places tiny specs of carbon were adhering to the DE. It seems that if I "cooked" it long
enough that the DE would assimilate the carbon. In any case I think this is a significant
find... that I can get Cpyr and DE to bind. It might turn out to be a valuable insecticide.”
Applications: Pyro-DE injected under the bark where EAB and Mountain Pine Beetle
infestations are suspected could mitigate that infestation. Furthermore, the value of Cpyr cannot
be underestimated for increasing plant fertility and reducing plant stress, especially in infested
trees. Infested, dying and decaying trees are now considered a massive source of CO2 emission
rather than them being a natural carbon sink. We propose that research along these lines is
applicable to forestry habitat and agricultural sustainability.
MAX-X. Below is a list of future experiments but, to place Star on the moon by 2016, we will
need to conduct all-encompassing or maximum experiments (MAX-X) over the next couple of
years. So, what would a MAX-X experiment look like? During the lunar day Star would be
exposed to high-heat and radiation while growing in a vacuum. During the lunar night Star
would be exposed to cryogenic temperatures and radiation while growing in a vacuum. MAX-X
acclimation experiments would give Star the greatest chance to survive on the moon.
Future Experiments.
1. To increase the germination rate of O. seeds.
2. Study effects of lunar night/day cycling on germination rate of O. seeds.
3. Do flowers develop during lunar cycling?
4. After artificial pollination, how do fruits develop during lunar cycling and how much
time do they need?
5. Test O. survival in extreme thermal cycling under specified conditions such as humidity.
6. Metrics of O. adaptability.
7. Does lunar cycling increase O. adaptability to extreme conditions?
8. Can O. fragilis, O. phaeacantha, and O. polyacantha tolerate the heat as well as the cold?
9. Can O. fragilis, O. phaeacantha, and O. polyacantha pass the “cold tolerance factor”
gene to an O. ficus-indica seedling via grafting?
10. How will the O. ficus-indica seedling develop on a cold tolerant plant?
11. How will and O. fragilis, O. phaeacantha or O. polyacantha seedlings grow on a O.
ficus-indica graft and would they be edible?
12. Can organic wastes supplement N in lunar regolith?
28 Wednesday – March 11, 2009, 5:13 PM.
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