Micro

Micro-PFALs are closed or semiclosed indoor plant-growing systems with an air volume of plant-growing space size ranging from 0.03 to 3 m³, therefore suitable for home use.

Micro-PFALs are characterized by:

• hydroponic or soilless culture;
• plants grown mostly under LED lamps;
• well-designed as small furniture or a green interior (highly attractive and safe);
• easy to use and also maintain;
• no use of pesticides;
• the lighting period, watering, temperature and other factors can be controlled both automatically or manually according to the user’s choice.

BOLOGNA

Experimental prototype of Adaptive Vertical Greenhouse (in collaboration with Germina srl)

Germina Srl has created an Experimental Prototype of Adaptive Vertical Greenhouse. The patented system includes a series of cultivation tanks which adjust their height according to the precise level of growth of the plants grown in them. Each shelf can have different climatic and light conditions which amplify its value as a scientific instrument.

In this way the system maximizes the production yield per unit of volume and optimizes energy consumption by minimizing the environment subject to air conditioning . The Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences of the University of Bologna is currently testing the Germina Prototype after studying that the adaptive technology would result in up to a 190% increase in ROI over 10 years, compared to the equivalent activity of a Traditional Vertical Greenhouse  that occupies 1500 square meters.

TORINO

MitTech

The University of Turin (UNITO) has developed a prototype of a MicroPFAL called MitTech, designed to optimize indoor cultivation and adapt to the specific needs of plants and products. The structure, compact and versatile, is made of plastic material and can be quickly assembled thanks to the modular design of its components, which can be easily reconfigured depending on the cultivated species.

MitTech consists of four shelves, each of which contains a tank for the nutrient solution and 12 LED lights, providing a highly controlled cultivation environment. Each shelf is designed to accommodate cultivation panels with 54 or 180 holes (for baby leaves) or hollow panels that support six trays for microgreens cultivation.

The irrigation system is based on Shallow System technology, which uses a single submersible pump to deliver the nutrient solution to the top shelf. Gravity then facilitates the distribution of the solution to the other shelves. Additionally, the flow of the solution is regulated by "Dighe" accessories, which help direct the flow and manage the nutrient solution level, allowing for different configurations such as the Floating System or NFT.

Regarding lighting, each shelf is equipped with eight LED lights that emit a PPFD of 250 µmol m²/s. The structure uses two non-dimmable light spectra, designed to maximize plant growth efficiently.

Overall, MitTech represents a highly technological and adaptable system, capable of optimizing the use of space, energy, and resources, making it an ideal tool for scientific indoor cultivation.

4o

i3FarmTech

The University of Turin (UNITO) has developed i3FarmTech, a MicroPFAL designed for indoor aeroponic cultivation, integrating advanced technologies for controlling environmental and experimental parameters. The compact structure, made of steel with plastic tanks, is modular and easily adaptable to different cultivated species.

i3FarmTech consists of two shelves, each equipped with an aeroponic tank featuring nozzles and trays with 150 holes to support the plants. Each shelf is illuminated by 10 LED lights for the PAR range (350–800 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹) and 3 lamps specifically for UV-A and Far-Red wavelengths, providing complete and customizable lighting.

The irrigation system uses a closed-loop aeroponic technology. A peripheral pump connects to a 40-liter tank that feeds both shelves, while the overflow from the aeroponic tanks returns the excess solution to the reservoir, ensuring efficient recirculation.

Lighting is managed by multispectral, dimmable LED lamps with six light channels. The intensity can be adjusted from 0 to 100% via a remote application (CASAMBI), allowing for the creation of customized light spectra for each experimental trial. The PPFD provided ranges from 50 to 400 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹.

Environmental control is managed by an automated fertigation system (Nido S.r.l.), which enables remote and automated management of parameters such as humidity, temperature, pH, EC, and photoperiod, ensuring optimal growth conditions.

Overall, i3FarmTech represents an innovative and versatile system for research and indoor cultivation, optimizing space and resources to maximize crop yield.