On-orbit microbial culture device and its culture method

Abstract

This invention relates to the field of space technology experimentation, providing an on-orbit microbial culture device and its cultivation method. The device includes: a culture tank assembly comprising a first shell and a plurality of sealed culture units installed within the first shell; and a liquid circuit assembly comprising a second shell and a sealed liquid storage tank installed within the second shell, wherein the liquid storage tank contains a gas storage chamber and a liquid storage chamber, which are isolated from each other by an elastic separator; the first and second shells are stacked vertically, and each culture unit is provided with an air outlet and a liquid inlet. The air outlet is connected to the gas storage chamber via a gas delivery pipeline, and the liquid inlet is connected to the liquid storage chamber via a liquid delivery pipeline, with a water pump installed on the delivery pipeline. The on-orbit microbial culture device and its cultivation method of this invention can precisely control the gas pressure within the culture units, helping to maintain a stable environment required for microbial growth in space, and also improves the compactness of the device, minimizing its volume.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of space technology experimental technology, and in particular to an on-orbit microbial culture device and its culture method. Background Technology

[0002] Microorganisms possess advantages such as simple structure, short growth cycle, rapid reproduction, and ease of deployment, making them ideal biological models for studying life phenomena in space environments, detecting extraterrestrial life, and conducting planetary protection missions with a focus on microorganisms. With the completion of my country's space station construction mission, the development of microbial space experiment technologies and the deployment of corresponding experimental devices are accelerating. Achieving microbial culture is a crucial prerequisite for conducting microbial research under space conditions.

[0003] Due to the unique characteristics of the space environment, in-orbit microbial culture faces a series of challenges. First, the microgravity environment of space presents unique challenges. Under microgravity, convection, sedimentation, and hydrostatic pressure caused by gravity tend to disappear, and the gas-liquid interface also changes. A significant consequence is a substantial shift in mass transport conditions; without significant temperature differences, the material exchange required for microbial metabolism will primarily rely on diffusion. Furthermore, since the gas-liquid interface typically appears randomly in a spherical form, microorganisms may not be able to access the culture medium and thus fail to achieve normal material exchange. Second, the impact of spacecraft launch preparation and in-orbit operation on the experimental process. The time from delivery of microbial experimental samples to the initiation of in-orbit experiments can range from a few days to several weeks, and controlling the microbial culture process during this period presents uncertainties. Finally, the impact of in-orbit experimental resources on microbial experiments. The weight, volume, power consumption, and ease of operation for astronauts in in-orbit experiments place high demands on the design of microbial experimental devices. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides an on-orbit microbial culture device and its culture method to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art and achieve the following technical effects: the design of the liquid circuit component can stably balance the gas pressure in the culture unit, thereby helping to maintain the stable environment required for microbial growth in space. Furthermore, the design of stacking the first shell (culture pool component) and the second shell (liquid circuit component) in the vertical direction not only improves the compactness of the device and minimizes the volume occupied by the entire device, but also increases the mechanical structural stability of the device.

[0005] An on-orbit microbial culture device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes:

[0006] A culture tank assembly includes a first housing and a plurality of sealed culture units installed within the first housing;

[0007] A liquid circuit assembly includes a second housing and a sealed liquid reservoir installed within the second housing. The liquid reservoir has a gas storage chamber and a liquid storage chamber formed therein. The gas storage chamber and the liquid storage chamber are isolated by an elastic isolator. The elastic isolator is adapted to elastically deform in the direction of the gas storage chamber or the liquid storage chamber to change the volume of the gas storage chamber and the liquid storage chamber.

[0008] The first shell and the second shell are stacked together in the vertical direction, and each culture unit is provided with an air outlet and a liquid inlet. The air outlet is connected to the gas storage chamber through a gas supply pipeline, and the liquid inlet is connected to the liquid storage chamber through a liquid supply pipeline. A water pump is provided on the liquid supply pipeline.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the number of culture units is multiple, the first shell is hollow and filled with a heat insulation layer in the middle, and multiple through mounting grooves are formed on the heat insulation layer, and each culture unit is installed in one of the mounting grooves.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the culture unit includes a culture carrier, a culture cover and a culture shell with an open top, the culture cover is disposed on the top of the culture shell, the culture carrier is installed inside the culture shell, and the bottom of the culture shell is provided with the air outlet and the liquid inlet;

[0011] The top of the culture shell is disposed away from the second shell, and the bottom of the culture shell is disposed adjacent to the second shell.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a culture support is further provided inside the culture shell, and the culture support is installed between the culture carrier and the bottom of the culture shell to support the culture carrier;

[0013] The culture support includes a receiving part and a flow guiding part. The receiving part receives the culture carrier, and the flow guiding part connects the culture carrier and the liquid inlet.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a one-way valve is further provided on the bottom outer side of the culture shell. The one-way valve connects the liquid inlet and the liquid delivery pipeline, and the valve direction of the one-way valve is oriented along the liquid delivery pipeline to the liquid inlet.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a heating film and a temperature-sensitive resistor are further provided on the outer peripheral wall of the culture shell, and both the heating film and the temperature-sensitive resistor are connected to an electrical connector through heating wires.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic separator is a flip-up membrane.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid storage tank is provided with a plurality of liquid outlets communicating with the liquid storage chamber and a plurality of air inlets communicating with the air storage chamber;

[0018] The gas supply pipeline includes multiple branch gas supply pipes, and multiple air inlets are connected to the air outlets of multiple culture units one by one through the multiple branch gas supply pipes.

[0019] The infusion pipeline includes multiple branch infusion tubes, and multiple outlets are connected one-to-one with the inlets of multiple culture units through the multiple branch infusion tubes.

[0020] The water pumps are multiple and are respectively installed on multiple branch infusion pipes.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid storage chamber is divided into multiple independent liquid storage compartments, each liquid storage compartment corresponding to a liquid outlet and a branch delivery pipe; and the gas storage chamber is divided into multiple independent gas storage compartments, each gas storage compartment corresponding to an air inlet and a branch delivery pipe.

[0022] The liquid storage chamber and the gas storage chamber connected to the same culture unit are positioned opposite each other and separated by the flipping membrane.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the liquid storage tank is provided with a liquid outlet communicating with a liquid storage chamber and an air inlet communicating with a gas storage chamber;

[0024] The gas supply pipeline includes a main gas supply pipe and multiple branch gas supply pipes. The main gas supply pipe is connected to the gas inlet, and the multiple branch gas supply pipes are connected to the gas outlets of multiple culture units one by one. The liquid supply pipeline includes a main liquid supply pipe and multiple branch liquid supply pipes. The main liquid supply pipe is connected to the liquid outlet, and the multiple branch liquid supply pipes are connected to the liquid inlets of multiple culture units one by one.

[0025] The number of water pumps is one and it is installed on the main infusion pipe; or the number of water pumps is multiple and they are respectively installed on multiple branch infusion pipes.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it further includes:

[0027] The third housing is stacked on top of the second housing in the vertical direction. The third housing is equipped with connecting screws along its circumference. The connecting screws pass through the second housing and the first housing in sequence to connect and fix the first housing, the second housing and the third housing.

[0028] A cultivation method based on the on-orbit microbial culture device described in the first aspect of the present invention, according to a second aspect embodiment of the present invention, includes:

[0029] Upon receiving a signal to start the culture process, the water pump is controlled to start and operate.

[0030] Monitor the microbial growth information in each culture unit, and control and adjust the microbial culture parameters in each culture unit based on the microbial growth information and the microbial species information.

[0031] The on-orbit microbial culture device according to embodiments of the present invention provides a stable and controllable experimental platform for microbial research in space through precise gas pressure and liquid management. Specifically, the present invention, through the design of the liquid circuit components, can stably balance the gas pressure within the culture unit, thereby helping to maintain the stable environment required for microbial growth in space.

[0032] It is understandable that in space, to ensure the safety of on-orbit experiments, microbial experimental devices need to adopt a sealed design, as traditional gas exchange methods under atmospheric pressure on Earth are no longer suitable. The device of this invention simplifies gas management and reduces dependence on the external environment through an internal pressure regulation mechanism. Furthermore, by precisely controlling the injection of culture medium, the device ensures that microorganisms receive adequate nutrition while avoiding resource waste, thus aiding in resource management during space missions. In this way, the sealed culture environment and stable pressure control enable long-term experiments, facilitating the study of the long-term adaptability and growth characteristics of microorganisms in space.

[0033] Furthermore, the device of the present invention, through the design of stacking the first shell (culture tank assembly) and the second shell (liquid path assembly) in the vertical direction, not only improves the compactness of the device and minimizes the volume occupied by the entire device, but also brings the following benefits: (1) The stacked installation method helps to improve the structural stability of the entire device. In a microgravity environment, the distribution of the center of gravity of an object is crucial for maintaining stability. This design places the center of gravity of the device in the center, reducing tumbling or drifting caused by microgravity. (2) In space, the maintenance and replacement of the equipment need to consider the ease of operation. The stacked design makes the replacement or maintenance of individual components easier, reduces interference with the entire device, and improves maintenance efficiency. (3) This design allows the device to have modular characteristics, and specific culture units or liquid path assemblies can be added or removed according to experimental needs, providing flexibility and scalability. (4) In space, vibration may affect the gas-liquid distribution position, thereby affecting the stability of experimental results. The stacked design helps to reduce the impact of vibration generated by the operation of the equipment on the culture unit, ensuring the stability of experimental data. Attached Figure Description

[0034] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the on-orbit microbial culture device provided by the present invention.

[0036] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the culture tank assembly provided by the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the culture unit provided by the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 An exploded view of the culture unit provided by this invention;

[0039] Figure 5 This is one of the structural schematic diagrams of the fluid circuit assembly provided by the present invention;

[0040] Figure 6 This is a second schematic diagram of the structure of the fluid circuit assembly provided by the present invention;

[0041] Figure 7 An exploded view of the liquid storage tank provided by this invention;

[0042] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the steps of the culture method of the on-orbit microbial culture device of the present invention.

[0043] 1. Culture tank assembly; 2. Second shell; 3. Third shell; 4. Connecting screw; 5. Electrical connector; 6. Ear; 7. Culture unit; 8. Thermal insulation layer; 9. First shell; 10. Culture cover; 11. Culture shell; 12. Air outlet; 13. One-way valve; 14. Heating membrane; 15. Thermistor; 16. Heating wire; 17. Flow guide; 18. Culture support; 19. Culture carrier; 20. Water pump; 21. Water pump support; 22. Storage tank; 23. Infusion pipeline; 24. Miniature solenoid valve; 25. Infusion inlet; 26. Water outlet; 27. Water inlet; 28. Storage chamber; 29. ​​Chamber partition structure; 30. Inverting membrane; 31. Gas storage chamber; 32. Air inlet; 33. Liquid outlet; 34. Liquid filling port; 35. Exhaust port. Detailed Implementation

[0044] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0045] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0046] In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of the present invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0047] In embodiments of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0048] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, describes an in-orbit microbial culture device and its cultivation method for microorganisms provided by the present invention. It should be noted that the in-orbit microbial culture device provided by the present invention is applicable to extraterrestrial space environments with microgravity characteristics, i.e., in-orbit experimental environments.

[0049] like Figures 1 to 7As shown, the on-orbit microbial culture device according to a first aspect embodiment of the present invention includes a culture tank assembly 1 and a liquid circuit assembly.

[0050] The culture tank assembly 1 includes a first housing 9 and a plurality of sealed culture units 7 installed within the first housing 9.

[0051] The liquid circuit assembly includes a second housing 2 and a sealed liquid storage tank 22 installed in the second housing 2. The liquid storage tank 22 has a gas storage chamber 31 and a liquid storage chamber 28 formed therein. The gas storage chamber 31 and the liquid storage chamber 28 are isolated by an elastic isolator. The elastic isolator is adapted to elastically deform in the direction of the gas storage chamber 31 or the liquid storage chamber 28 to change the volume of the gas storage chamber 31 and the liquid storage chamber 28.

[0052] The first housing 9 and the second housing 2 are stacked in the vertical direction, and each culture unit 7 is provided with an air outlet 12 and a liquid inlet. The air outlet 12 is connected to the gas storage chamber 31 through a gas supply pipeline, and the liquid inlet is connected to the liquid storage chamber 28 through a liquid supply pipeline 23. A water pump 20 is provided on the liquid supply pipeline 23.

[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the on-orbit microbial culture device operates as follows: At the start of the experiment, the culture medium in the storage tank 22 is injected into each culture unit 7 of the culture tank assembly 1 through the infusion pipeline 23 via the water pump 20 in the liquid circuit assembly. This process increases the liquid volume in the culture unit 7, thereby causing a change in the internal air pressure.

[0054] When the culture medium is injected into the culture unit 7, the gas pressure inside the culture unit 7 increases due to the increase in liquid volume. To maintain the internal pressure balance, the elastic separator deforms towards the liquid storage chamber 28, reducing the volume of the liquid storage chamber 28 while increasing the volume of the gas storage chamber 31. In this way, the pressure inside the liquid storage chamber 28 and the gas storage chamber 31 is balanced.

[0055] After the culture medium is injected, the microorganisms begin to grow in the culture unit 7. The metabolic activities of the microorganisms may produce gas, and the excess gas produced by the microorganisms will be transported to the gas storage chamber 31 through the gas supply line. At this time, the volume of the liquid storage chamber 28 is compressed, thereby delivering more water to the culture unit 7.

[0056] During the microbial culture process, parameters such as temperature and pressure within the culture unit 7 are monitored in real time to ensure that the microorganisms grow in a suitable environment. Based on the monitoring data, the flow rate of the infusion line 23 can be adjusted to control the injection speed and volume of the culture medium, further finely regulating the internal environment.

[0057] In summary, the on-orbit microbial culture device according to embodiments of the present invention provides a stable and controllable experimental environment for microbial research in space through precise gas pressure and liquid management. Specifically, the present invention, through the design of the liquid path components, can stably balance the gas pressure within the culture unit 7, thereby helping to maintain the stable environment required for microbial growth in space.

[0058] It is understandable that, in space, to ensure the safety of on-orbit experiments, microbial experimental devices need to adopt a sealed design, as traditional gas exchange methods under atmospheric pressure on Earth are no longer suitable. The device of this invention simplifies gas management and reduces dependence on the external environment through an internal pressure regulation mechanism. Furthermore, by precisely controlling the injection of culture medium, the device ensures that microorganisms receive adequate nutrition while avoiding resource waste, thus aiding in resource management during space missions. In this way, the sealed culture environment and stable pressure control enable long-term experiments, facilitating the study of the long-term adaptability and growth characteristics of microorganisms in space.

[0059] Furthermore, the device of the present invention, through the design of stacking the first housing 9 (culture pool assembly 1) and the second housing 2 (liquid path assembly) in the vertical direction, not only improves the compactness of the device and minimizes the volume occupied by the entire device, but also brings the following benefits: (1) The stacked installation method helps to improve the structural stability of the entire device. In a microgravity environment, the distribution of the center of gravity of an object is crucial for maintaining stability. This design places the center of gravity of the device in the center, reducing tumbling or drifting caused by microgravity. (2) In space, the maintenance and replacement of the equipment need to consider the ease of operation. The stacked design makes the replacement or maintenance of individual components easier, reduces interference with the entire device, and improves maintenance efficiency. (3) This design allows the device to have modular characteristics, and specific culture units 7 or liquid path assemblies can be added or removed according to experimental needs, providing flexibility and scalability. (4) In space, vibration may affect the gas-liquid distribution position, thereby affecting the stability of experimental results. The stacked design helps to reduce the impact of vibration generated by the operation of the equipment on the culture unit 7, ensuring the stability of experimental data.

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, there are multiple culture units 7. The first shell 9 is hollow and is filled with a heat insulation layer 8 in the middle. Multiple through mounting grooves are formed on the heat insulation layer 8, and each culture unit 7 is installed in one mounting groove.

[0061] In this embodiment, the hollow design of the first shell 9 and the addition of the thermal insulation layer 8 are to improve the thermal management capability of the device. The insulation layer can effectively isolate external temperature fluctuations and maintain a constant temperature environment inside the culture unit 7. The multiple through-hole mounting grooves formed on the thermal insulation layer 8 provide a fixed mounting position for the culture unit 7. This design ensures the stability of the culture unit 7 under microgravity conditions, preventing displacement due to vibration or movement, thereby guaranteeing the continuity and reliability of the experiment.

[0062] Understandably, the setup of multiple culture units 7 allows for parallel experiments, enabling the simultaneous study of different types of microorganisms or their growth under varying conditions. This parallel processing capability improves experimental efficiency, allowing researchers to obtain more data within a limited timeframe. Furthermore, the independent mounting slots for each culture unit 7 simplify maintenance and replacement. If a problem occurs in one culture unit 7, it can be addressed individually without affecting other units, minimizing disruption to the overall experiment.

[0063] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the culture unit 7 includes a culture carrier 19, a culture cover 10 and a culture shell 11 with an open top. The culture cover 10 covers the top of the culture shell 11, the culture carrier 19 is installed inside the culture shell 11, and the bottom of the culture shell 11 is provided with an air outlet 12 and a liquid inlet.

[0064] The top of the culture shell 11 is located away from the second shell 2, and the bottom of the culture shell 11 is located adjacent to the second shell 2.

[0065] In this embodiment, the culture carrier 19 serves as the direct environment for microbial growth and is typically made of suitable materials, such as gauze or plastic, to ensure that microorganisms can grow within it without being negatively affected by the material. The culture cover 10, located at the top of the culture shell 11, seals the culture unit 7, providing a closed growth space for the microorganisms and preventing them from being exposed to the external environment. It also prevents microbial contamination of other experimental areas or equipment. The air outlet 12 and liquid inlet at the bottom of the culture shell 11 are used for gas exchange and the injection of liquid culture medium.

[0066] It is understood that by positioning the top of the culture housing 11 away from the second housing 2 in this embodiment, direct contact between the top of the culture housing 11 and the liquid path assembly (second housing 2) can be reduced, thereby mitigating the potential impact of temperature or pressure changes. Furthermore, the arrangement of the bottom of the culture housing 11 adjacent to the second housing 2 helps simplify the connection between the liquid and gas paths, allowing the culture medium and gas to be delivered more directly and efficiently from the second housing 2 to the culture unit 7.

[0067] Thus, the closed design of culture unit 7 helps prevent microbial escape, ensuring experimental safety, and also prevents external contaminants from entering culture unit 7. Furthermore, the air outlet 12 and liquid inlet at the bottom of the culture shell 11 simplify the addition of culture medium and gas exchange.

[0068] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the culture shell 11 is further provided with a culture support 18, which is installed between the culture carrier 19 and the bottom of the culture shell 11 to support the culture carrier 19.

[0069] The culture support 18 includes a receiving part and a flow guiding part 17. The receiving part receives the culture carrier 19, and the flow guiding part 17 connects the culture carrier 19 with the liquid inlet.

[0070] In this embodiment, the culture support 18 mainly serves to support the culture carrier 19 and provide flow guidance. The receiving part directly contacts the culture carrier 19, ensuring its stable placement within the culture shell 11 and preventing it from floating or moving under microgravity. The receiving part can be fixed or adjustable to accommodate culture carriers 19 of different sizes and shapes. The flow guiding part 17 allows the culture medium to flow smoothly into the culture carrier 19 from the inlet, ensuring even distribution and providing sufficient nutrition and a suitable growth environment for microorganisms. For example, the flow guiding part 17 can include structures such as flow columns, pipes, channels, or pores. These structures ensure the culture medium flows from the inlet to the culture carrier 19 and may also include filtration or regulating devices to control the flow rate and distribution of the culture medium.

[0071] Thus, through the design of the culture support 18 described above, the culture device can not only provide a stable microbial growth environment, but also achieve precise control over the flow of the culture medium.

[0072] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a one-way valve 13 is further provided on the outer bottom of the culture shell 11. The one-way valve 13 connects the liquid inlet and the liquid delivery line 23, and the valve direction of the one-way valve 13 is oriented along the liquid delivery line 23 to the liquid inlet.

[0073] It is understandable that the main function of the one-way valve 13 is to prevent the culture medium from flowing in an inappropriate direction. During the culture process, the culture medium needs to flow from the infusion line 23 to the inlet of the culture shell 11, and the one-way valve 13 ensures that the culture medium can only flow in one direction, preventing it from flowing back into the infusion line 23 at an inappropriate time.

[0074] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, a heating film 14 and a temperature-sensitive resistor 15 are also provided on the outer peripheral wall of the culture shell 11. Both the heating film 14 and the temperature-sensitive resistor 15 are connected to the electrical connector through heating wires 16.

[0075] In this embodiment, the heating film 14 is installed on the outer peripheral wall of the culture shell 11 to provide uniform heat in order to maintain the constant temperature required for the growth of the culture medium and microorganisms.

[0076] The thermistor 15 (also known as a temperature sensor) is used to monitor the temperature inside the culture shell 11 in real time. The thermistor 15 changes its resistance value according to temperature changes, thus providing an accurate temperature reading. In this way, the reading of the thermistor 15 can be used as a feedback signal for the automatic control system to ensure that the heat provided by the heating film 14 matches the actual needs, thereby achieving precise temperature control.

[0077] In summary, the coordinated operation of the heating film 14 and the thermistor 15 ensures minimal temperature fluctuations within the set range, guaranteeing normal microbial growth and accurate experimental results. Furthermore, this design automates temperature control, reducing manual intervention by astronauts and improving experimental efficiency and safety.

[0078] like Figure 7 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the elastic separator is a flip-up membrane 30.

[0079] In this embodiment, the flip membrane 30 serves as a separator between the gas storage chamber 31 and the liquid storage chamber 28, effectively isolating the two chambers and preventing direct mixing of gas and liquid. Simultaneously, the design of the flip membrane 30 allows it to elastically deform between the two chambers, thereby adjusting the volume of the gas storage chamber 31 and the liquid storage chamber 28 to achieve a dynamic balance between gas and liquid.

[0080] Specifically, the working principle of the flip membrane 30 is as follows: When it is necessary to increase the volume of the gas storage chamber 31, the flip membrane 30 deforms towards the liquid storage chamber 28, reducing the volume of the liquid storage chamber 28, thereby allowing more gas to enter the gas storage chamber 31. Conversely, when it is necessary to increase the volume of the liquid storage chamber 28, the flip membrane 30 deforms towards the gas storage chamber 31, reducing the volume of the gas storage chamber 31, thereby allowing liquid to flow into the liquid storage chamber 28.

[0081] It is understandable that, under microgravity conditions, the volume of the two chambers can be actively adjusted by the deformation of the flipping membrane 30, thereby achieving dynamic pressure balance between the liquid storage chamber 28 and the gas storage chamber 31.

[0082] In this way, the design of the flip membrane 30 enables the fluid circuit assembly to automatically and stably balance the volume of gas and liquid, while reducing reliance on external equipment such as pumps and valves, and simplifying on-orbit operation without the need for complex mechanical devices or additional operations.

[0083] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the liquid storage tank 22 is provided with a plurality of liquid outlets 33 communicating with the liquid storage chamber 28 and a plurality of air inlets 32 communicating with the air storage chamber 31.

[0084] The gas supply pipeline includes multiple branch gas supply pipes, and multiple gas inlets 32 are connected one-to-one with the gas outlets 12 of multiple culture units 7 through the multiple branch gas supply pipes. The liquid supply pipeline 23 includes multiple branch liquid supply pipes, and multiple liquid outlets 33 are connected one-to-one with the liquid inlets of multiple culture units 7 through the multiple branch liquid supply pipes. Multiple water pumps 20 are installed on the multiple branch liquid supply pipes.

[0085] like Figure 7 As shown, the liquid storage chamber 28 is further divided into multiple independent liquid storage chambers, each of which corresponds to a liquid outlet and a branch delivery pipe; and the gas storage chamber 31 is divided into multiple independent gas storage chambers, each of which corresponds to an air inlet and a branch delivery pipe.

[0086] In this culture unit 7, the liquid storage chamber and the gas storage chamber are positioned opposite each other and are separated by the flip membrane 30.

[0087] In this embodiment, each culture unit 7 corresponds to a specific liquid storage chamber and a gas storage chamber. This design improves the flexibility of the system and allows for individual monitoring and adjustment of each culture unit 7 without affecting other units.

[0088] In some other specific embodiments of the present invention, the liquid storage tank 22 is provided with a liquid outlet 33 communicating with the liquid storage chamber 28 and an air inlet 32 ​​communicating with the air storage chamber 31.

[0089] The gas supply pipeline includes a main gas supply pipe and multiple branch gas supply pipes. The main gas supply pipe is connected to the gas inlet 32, and the multiple branch gas supply pipes are connected to the gas outlets 12 of multiple culture units 7, one by one. The liquid supply pipeline 23 includes a main liquid supply pipe and multiple branch liquid supply pipes. The main liquid supply pipe is connected to the liquid outlet 33, and the multiple branch liquid supply pipes are connected to the liquid inlets of multiple culture units 7, one by one. The number of water pumps 20 is one and is installed on the main liquid supply pipe; or, the number of water pumps 20 is multiple and they are installed on multiple branch liquid supply pipes.

[0090] In this embodiment, the design of the liquid storage tank 22 and the configuration of the gas delivery pipeline and the liquid delivery pipeline 23 are different from those in the previous embodiment.

[0091] In this embodiment, specifically, the liquid storage tank 22 is provided with a liquid outlet 33 and an air inlet 32. This simplified design reduces the number of interfaces, which helps to reduce the complexity of the system and improve the reliability of the system.

[0092] Regarding the gas delivery process: the main gas delivery pipe is directly connected to the gas inlet 32, while multiple branch gas delivery pipes are connected to the gas outlets 12 of each culture unit 7. This design allows gas to be collected from the gas storage chamber 31 through the main gas delivery pipe and then distributed to each culture unit 7, achieving centralized management and distribution of gas.

[0093] Regarding the infusion process: the main infusion tube connects to the outlet 33, while multiple branch infusion tubes are connected to the inlets of each culture unit 7. This design allows the culture medium to be centrally transported from the storage tank 22 through the main infusion tube, and then distributed to each culture unit 7 through the branch infusion tubes.

[0094] In this embodiment, the water pump 20 can be a single pump located on the main infusion line, responsible for providing the required pressure to the entire system. Alternatively, multiple water pumps 20 can be installed, each located on a branch infusion line, thus providing customized flow control for each culture unit 7.

[0095] Thus, the simplified interface scheme described in this embodiment reduces potential leakage points and improves the system's sealing and safety. Furthermore, centralized gas management and distribution improve gas exchange efficiency, ensuring that each culture unit 7 receives the appropriate amount of gas. In addition, the centralized or decentralized pump setup provides flexibility, allowing selection based on experimental needs and resource constraints.

[0096] In summary, the two embodiments described above represent different designs for the interface of the storage tank 22. The first embodiment, by providing multiple liquid outlets 33 and air inlets 32 on the storage tank 22, achieves independent liquid supply and gas management for each culture unit 7. This design allows for precise control of each culture unit 7, is suitable for multivariate experiments, and, because the liquid supply and air inlets 32 for each unit are independent, maintenance and replacement are more convenient. Furthermore, the multiple water pumps 20 can adjust the flow rate according to experimental needs, providing high flexibility.

[0097] In contrast, the second embodiment simplifies the design of the storage tank 22, providing only one outlet 33 and one inlet 32, with centralized management of gas and liquid flow via a main gas supply pipe and a main liquid supply pipe. This design reduces the number of interfaces, lowers the potential risk of leakage, and simplifies the operation process. If there is only one water pump 20 in the system, this could reduce manufacturing and maintenance costs. However, this centralized management may limit flexibility, as it does not provide customized culture conditions for each culture unit 7 as effectively as the first embodiment.

[0098] In summary, the first embodiment offers better flexibility and independent control in experimentation, while the second embodiment excels in system simplification and cost-effectiveness. In specific experiments, experimenters can choose the most suitable embodiment based on their specific needs and available resources.

[0099] like Figure 1 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present invention, the on-orbit microbial culture device further includes a third housing 3. The third housing 3 and the second housing 2 are stacked together in the vertical direction, and the third housing 3 is equipped with connecting screws 4 along its circumference. The connecting screws 4 pass through the second housing 2 and the first housing 9 in sequence to connect and fix the first housing 9, the second housing 2 and the third housing 3.

[0100] Thus, the addition of the third shell 3 improves the structural stability of the entire device, and the use of connecting screws 4 to fix the second shell 2 and the first shell 9 ensures a tight connection between the shells, providing additional safety and preventing structural loosening due to vibration or other external forces in space. Furthermore, the addition of the third shell 3 makes the entire culture device modular, facilitating assembly, disassembly, or replacement of components as needed, improving the convenience of maintenance and upgrades.

[0101] A specific embodiment of the on-orbit microbial culture device of the present invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0102] like Figure 1 As shown, the on-orbit microbial culture experimental device provided by this invention includes a culture tank assembly 1, a liquid circuit assembly, a third housing 3, connecting screws 4, lugs 6, and an electrical connector 5. The first housing 9 in the culture tank assembly 1, the second housing 2 in the liquid circuit assembly, and the third housing 3 are connected by six connecting screws 4, which are M5 extended screws. The device of this invention contains four lugs 6, which are mounted and fixed to the spacecraft using universal M5 screws. The electrical connector 5 is used for communication control of the on-orbit microbial culture device, wherein the communication control includes heating film control, temperature-sensitive resistor control, micropump control, and micro solenoid valve 24 control.

[0103] like Figure 2As shown, the culture tank assembly 1 includes sixteen culture units 7, a thermal insulation layer 8, and a first shell 9. The thermal insulation layer 8 separates each culture unit 7, and its material is silica aerogel.

[0104] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the culture unit 7 includes a culture cover 10, a culture shell 11, an air outlet 12, a one-way valve 13, a heating film 14, a thermistor 15, a heating wire 16, a culture support 18, and a culture carrier 19. The culture support 18 is located inside the culture shell 11. The receiving part of the culture support 18 supports the culture carrier 19, and the flow guiding part 17 (i.e., the flow guiding column) of the culture support 18 is connected to the one-way valve 13 through the bottom of the culture cover 10. The heating film 14 and the thermistor 15 are connected to the electrical connector 5 through the heating wire 16. The culture cover 10 is a cylindrical cavity with an inner diameter of 30 mm and a depth of 20 mm, and its material is aluminum alloy. The culture cover 10 is made of polycarbonate material, which has high light transmittance and can be used as an observation window. The culture cover 10 has a sealed design to ensure that the microorganisms growing in the culture tank do not leak out of the culture tank. The culture unit 7 provides space for microbial culture, with a volume of approximately 14 ml, and the amount of air stored is sufficient to meet the needs of microbial growth for thirty days. The culture carrier 19 is inoculated with microorganisms, simultaneously providing a culture medium for them. The microorganisms are bacteria or fungi, and the inoculated microorganisms are dried microbial powder or dried microbial spores. A heating film 14 is used to heat the culture cover 10; the heating film 14 is 18 mm high, has a unfolded length of 90 mm, and consumes 1 W. A thermistor 15 is used to measure the temperature of the culture cover 10. The heating film 14 and the thermistor 15 are connected by an electrical connector 5 for temperature control. The temperature control range is 25℃~45℃, with a temperature control accuracy of ±1℃, thus meeting the normal growth requirements of the microorganisms.

[0105] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the fluid circuit assembly includes a water pump 20, a water pump bracket 21, a storage tank 22, an infusion line 23, and a miniature solenoid valve 24. The water pump 20 has an outlet 26 and an inlet 27. The storage tank 22 is connected to the miniature solenoid valve 24 via the infusion line 23, and the inlet 27 is also connected to the miniature solenoid valve 24 via the infusion line 23. The outlet 26 is connected to a one-way valve 13 via the infusion line 23. The fluid circuit assembly comprises sixteen miniature water pumps 20, arranged in groups of two, for a total of eight groups, which are fixed by the water pump bracket 21. The miniature water pump 20 is a hydraulic pump or a peristaltic pump with a flow rate of 3 ml / min and an accuracy of 0.1 ml. It is controlled by an electrical connector 5 for switching on and off.

[0106] like Figure 7As shown, the liquid storage tank 22 includes a liquid storage chamber 28, a chamber partition structure 29, a flipping membrane 30, and a gas storage chamber 31. The liquid storage chamber 28 contains a liquid outlet 33, a liquid inlet 34, and a vent 35. The liquid outlet 33 is connected to a micro-solenoid valve 24 via a liquid delivery pipeline 23. The gas storage chamber 31 contains sixteen air inlets 32, which are connected to the air outlets 12 on the culture unit 7 via air delivery pipelines, forming a gas flow path. The liquid circuit assembly provides liquid delivery and control for microbial culture. The liquid storage chamber 28 of the liquid storage tank 22 is a liquid storage space, and the liquid can be water, an aqueous solution, or a nutrient solution. The total volume of the liquid storage tank 22 is 40 ml. The liquid storage chamber 28 is divided into sixteen liquid storage compartments by the chamber partition structure 29 and the flipping membrane 30.

[0107] The working process of the on-orbit microbial culture experimental device provided by this invention is as follows:

[0108] 1. Liquid Delivery Process: Liquid delivery is powered by a water pump 20. After the micro solenoid valve 24 is opened, the water pump 20 starts, and the liquid flows out from the outlet 33 of the storage chamber 28, passing sequentially through the micro solenoid valve 24, the water pump 20, the one-way valve 13, and the guide section 17, and finally reaching the culture carrier 19 to provide nutrients for microbial growth. Simultaneously with liquid delivery, due to the sealed design of the culture unit 7, the pressure inside its cavity increases. Air inside the cavity flows from the air outlet 12 of the culture unit 7 to the air inlet 32 ​​of the air storage chamber 31, forcing the flipping membrane 30 to flip, thereby relieving the pressure inside the culture unit 7 cavity.

[0109] 2. Control of the microbial culture experiment process: Before the microbial culture experiment is started, the inoculated microorganisms are microbial dry powder or microbial dry spores, which are in a dormant state and do not grow or reproduce. When it is necessary to start the culture, water, aqueous solution or nutrient solution is used as the activation condition, and the temperature control function is activated at the same time. After the microorganisms have the growth conditions, they begin to grow and reproduce.

[0110] Example 1: The cultured microorganism was bacteria.

[0111] Escherichia coli was used as the culture microorganism. First, the prepared E. coli dry powder was inoculated onto culture carrier 19. The E. coli was in a dormant state, without growth or reproduction. When it was necessary to start the E. coli culture experiment, the micro-solenoid valve 24 and water pump 20 were activated to deliver the nutrient solution from the infusion tank to the culture carrier 19. Simultaneously, the heating membrane 14 and the temperature-sensitive resistor 15 were activated for temperature control, maintaining the temperature at 37℃±1℃. The E. coli began to grow and reproduce, and after 24 hours of culture, E. coli colonies grew on culture carrier 19.

[0112] Example 2: The cultured microorganism was a fungus.

[0113] Aspergillus niger was used as the culture microorganism. First, the prepared Aspergillus niger spore powder was inoculated onto culture carrier 19. The Aspergillus niger spores were in a dormant state, without growth or reproduction. When it was necessary to start the Aspergillus niger culture experiment, the micro-solenoid valve 24 and water pump 20 were activated to deliver the nutrient solution from the infusion tank to the culture carrier 19. Simultaneously, the heating membrane 14 and the temperature-sensitive resistor 15 were activated for temperature control, maintaining the temperature at 28℃±1℃. Aspergillus niger began to grow and reproduce, and after 48 hours of culture, Aspergillus niger colonies grew on culture carrier 19.

[0114] The cultivation method of the on-orbit microbial culture device provided in the second aspect embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0115] Step S1: Upon receiving the signal to start the culture, control the water pump 20 to start and run;

[0116] Step S2: Monitor the microbial growth information in each culture unit 7, and control and adjust the microbial culture parameters in each culture unit 7 based on the microbial growth information and the type of microorganisms themselves.

[0117] According to some embodiments of the present invention, microbial growth information may include growth rate, pH value, temperature, light conditions, gas composition, and culture period.

[0118] In one specific embodiment, if the growth rate of microorganisms is detected to be too fast or too slow, growth can be promoted or inhibited by adjusting the nutrient composition of the culture medium (such as carbon source, nitrogen source, vitamins, etc.) or changing the culture temperature. For example, for bacteria that grow too fast, the supply of nutrients can be reduced; for microorganisms that grow slowly, the temperature can be increased or the concentration of nutrients can be increased.

[0119] In another specific embodiment, since different microorganisms have different pH tolerance ranges, if the pH value in the culture environment is detected to deviate from the optimal growth range of the microorganisms, the pH value can be adjusted by adding acid or alkali. For example, alkaline substances can be added for microorganisms that prefer alkaline environments, and acidic substances can be added for microorganisms that prefer acidic environments.

[0120] In another specific embodiment, for aerobic microorganisms, if oxygen consumption is too rapid, the demand can be met by increasing the oxygen supply. For anaerobic microorganisms, the oxygen supply needs to be reduced, which may require adjusting the sealing of the culture container or adding carbon dioxide to maintain an anaerobic environment.

[0121] In another specific embodiment, since the growth of microorganisms is significantly affected by temperature, if the growth rate is abnormal, the temperature of the culture environment can be adjusted using a heating or cooling system. For example, for temperature-sensitive microorganisms, temperature sensors and automatic regulation systems can be installed to maintain a constant temperature.

[0122] In another specific embodiment, for photosynthetic microorganisms, light intensity and spectrum are crucial for growth, so photosynthesis can be optimized by adjusting the intensity and spectral distribution of the light source. For non-photosynthetic microorganisms, however, light conditions need to be controlled to avoid unnecessary light damage.

[0123] In another specific embodiment, an automated culture cycle can be set based on the microbial growth cycle, including growth, quiescence, harvesting, and regeneration stages. These steps can be implemented through a preset program to ensure that the microorganisms grow and reproduce under optimal conditions.

[0124] In summary, through the above control and regulation methods, the on-orbit microbial culture device can adapt to the growth requirements of different microorganisms, ensuring the smooth progress of experiments and the accuracy of data.

[0125] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0126] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An on-orbit microbial culture device, characterized in that, include: A culture tank assembly includes a first housing and a plurality of sealed culture units installed within the first housing; A liquid circuit assembly includes a second housing and a sealed liquid reservoir installed within the second housing. The liquid reservoir has a gas storage chamber and a liquid storage chamber formed therein. The gas storage chamber and the liquid storage chamber are isolated by an elastic isolator. The elastic isolator is adapted to elastically deform in the direction of the gas storage chamber or the liquid storage chamber to change the volume of the gas storage chamber and the liquid storage chamber. The first shell and the second shell are stacked in the vertical direction, and each culture unit is provided with an air outlet and a liquid inlet. The air outlet is connected to the gas storage chamber through a gas supply pipeline, and the liquid inlet is connected to the liquid storage chamber through a liquid supply pipeline. A water pump is provided on the liquid supply pipeline. The culture unit includes a culture carrier, a culture cover, and a culture shell with an open top. The culture cover covers the top of the culture shell, the culture carrier is installed inside the culture shell, and the bottom of the culture shell has an air outlet and a liquid inlet. The top of the culture shell is disposed away from the second shell, and the bottom of the culture shell is disposed adjacent to the second shell.

2. The on-orbit microbial culture device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of culture units is multiple. The first shell is hollow and filled with a heat insulation layer in the middle. Multiple through mounting slots are formed on the heat insulation layer, and each culture unit is installed in one of the mounting slots.

3. The on-orbit microbial culture device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The culture shell is further provided with a culture support, which is installed between the culture carrier and the bottom of the culture shell to support the culture carrier; The culture support includes a receiving part and a flow guiding part. The receiving part receives the culture carrier, and the flow guiding part connects the culture carrier and the liquid inlet.

4. The on-orbit microbial culture device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bottom outer side of the culture shell is also provided with a one-way valve, which connects the liquid inlet and the liquid delivery pipeline, and the valve direction of the one-way valve is oriented along the liquid delivery pipeline to the liquid inlet.

5. The on-orbit microbial culture device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The outer peripheral wall of the culture shell is also provided with a heating film and a temperature-sensitive resistor, and both the heating film and the temperature-sensitive resistor are connected to an electrical connector through heating wires.

6. The on-orbit microbial culture device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The elastic separator is a flip-up membrane.

7. The on-orbit microbial culture device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The liquid storage tank is provided with multiple liquid outlets that connect to the liquid storage chambers and multiple air inlets that connect to the air storage chambers. The gas supply pipeline includes multiple branch gas supply pipes, and multiple air inlets are connected to the air outlets of multiple culture units one by one through the multiple branch gas supply pipes. The infusion pipeline includes multiple branch infusion tubes, and multiple outlets are connected one-to-one with the inlets of multiple culture units through the multiple branch infusion tubes. The water pumps are multiple and are respectively installed on multiple branch infusion pipes.

8. The on-orbit microbial culture device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The liquid storage chamber is divided into multiple independent liquid storage compartments, each of which corresponds to a liquid outlet and a branch delivery pipe; and the gas storage chamber is divided into multiple independent gas storage compartments, each of which corresponds to an air inlet and a branch delivery pipe. The liquid storage chamber and the gas storage chamber connected to the same culture unit are positioned opposite each other and separated by the flipping membrane.

9. The on-orbit microbial culture device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The liquid storage tank is provided with a liquid outlet that connects to the liquid storage chamber and an air inlet that connects to the air storage chamber. The gas supply pipeline includes a main gas supply pipe and multiple branch gas supply pipes. The main gas supply pipe is connected to the gas inlet, and the multiple branch gas supply pipes are connected to the gas outlets of multiple culture units one by one. The liquid supply pipeline includes a main liquid supply pipe and multiple branch liquid supply pipes. The main liquid supply pipe is connected to the liquid outlet, and the multiple branch liquid supply pipes are connected to the liquid inlets of multiple culture units one by one. The number of water pumps is one and it is installed on the main infusion pipe; or the number of water pumps is multiple and they are respectively installed on multiple branch infusion pipes.

10. The on-orbit microbial culture device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, Also includes: The third housing is stacked on top of the second housing in the vertical direction. The third housing is equipped with connecting screws along its circumference. The connecting screws pass through the second housing and the first housing in sequence to connect and fix the first housing, the second housing and the third housing.

11. A cultivation method based on the on-orbit microbial culture device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, include: Upon receiving a signal to start the cultivation process, the water pump is controlled to start and operate. Monitor the microbial growth information in each culture unit, and control and adjust the microbial culture parameters in each culture unit based on the microbial growth information and the microbial species information.

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