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Project Summary
Project Summary
This project proposes a comparative evaluation of two hydroponic growing systems—the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and the Bato (Dutch) Bucket system. The purpose is to analyze their relative performance in controlled environment agriculture, focusing on crop suitability, water and energy efficiency, nutrient uptake, and plant quality. Undergraduate engineering students will lead the design, setup, execution, and analysis of this study, supported by a faculty advisor. Using equipment sourced from CropKing, the team will construct parallel NFT and Bato Bucket systems and monitor plant production over multiple growth cycles using crops aligned to each system’s strengths. Data gathered will support technical evaluation, public outreach, and curriculum enhancement. Results will be presented at the Senior Design Symposium and shared with broader community audiences.
Objectives
Objectives
Evaluate the efficiency and suitability of NFT and Bato Bucket systems using optimal crop types for each.
Analyze nutrient consumption patterns, water usage, and energy requirements in each system.
Measure qualitative characteristics such as root structure, leaf or fruit quality, and overall plant health.
Engage undergraduate students in engineering design, data acquisition, and agricultural technology.
Create outreach opportunities through broader community workshops and public presentations.
Methods & Design
Methods & Design
Construct a CropKing-sourced 8-bucket Bato Bucket system and an NFT system with 48 plant sites.
Grow tomatoes or peppers in the Bato Bucket system and leafy greens (e.g., lettuce or arugula) in the NFT system, aligning with each system’s optimal use case.
Equip systems with sensors for pH, EC, water flow, and lighting.
Monitor plant development, resource usage, and system behavior over 2 complete growth cycles.
Compare system performance based on energy use, nutrient and water delivery complexity, yield per square foot, plant health indicators, and system reliability.
Perform statistical analysis to assess system-level efficiency and growing effectiveness.
Timeline
Timeline
Month 1:
System assembly and calibration
Months 2–4:
Growth trials and data collection
Month 5:
Analysis, documentation, and outreach workshops
Month 6:
Final report and Senior Design Symposium presentation
Alignment with SICHOP and Senior Design Goals
Alignment with SICHOP and Senior Design Goals
Student-led Research: Undergraduate team leads all aspects from setup to dissemination.
Hands-on STEM Experience: Integrates mechanical design, agriculture, automation, and data science.
Outreach: broader community workshops and campus tours demonstrate technology and findings.
Innovation: Evaluates and contrasts two distinct hydroponic systems in their ideal use cases.
Capstone Integration: Meets ABET Senior Design standards for a two-semester engineering project.
Evaluation Plan
Evaluation Plan
Metrics: Yield (g/plant and per m²), water consumption (L/cycle), nutrient usage (ppm), energy usage (kWh), system maintenance time.
Suitability Evaluation: Match between system design and crop success factors (support, root structure, nutrient uptake).
Surveys: Pre/post surveys for team members and outreach participants to gauge STEM engagement.
Deliverables: Poster, technical report, public dataset, instructional modules for outreach.
Sustainability & Dissemination
Sustainability & Dissemination
Project results will inform CSU urban agriculture and engineering curriculum, as well as student-led agricultural innovation. The team will share outcomes during the CSU Senior Design Symposium and via outreach events targeting local schools and STEM fairs.
Conclusion
Conclusion
This project directly supports SICHOP's goals of undergraduate-led, hands-on STEM research with outreach. It also fulfills CSU Engineering's capstone design requirements and offers scalable impact for both education and sustainable agriculture research. Funding will enable equipment acquisition, experimentation, and engagement that lasts well beyond the project year.
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