Creating webservers on the Internet to advance CELSS research

Area of Science:

• Bioregenerative Life Support Systems
• Space Exploration Technologies
• Information Science

Background:

• Effective integration of Controlled Ecological Life Support Systems (CELSS) design concepts requires broad dissemination of research findings.
• Research results are often published in diverse sources, making them difficult to access for the wider CELSS community.
• The internet presents a viable solution for enhancing the accessibility of this critical research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the importance of internet-based information sharing for CELSS research.
• To introduce the Purdue NSCORT webserver as a model for disseminating CELSS information.
• To encourage the development of additional CELSS-related webservers and provide guidance on their creation.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of a webserver by the Purdue National Science Foundation Center for Research on Bioregenerative Life Support (NSCORT).
• Discussion of the Purdue NSCORT webserver's content and its relation to other internet-based CELSS projects.
• Presentation of a tutorial on webserver development for CELSS researchers.

Main Results:

• The Purdue NSCORT has successfully established an internet presence to share information about its research and the broader CELSS program.
• The study identifies a need for more CELSS-focused webservers.
• A tutorial is provided to facilitate the creation of new webservers.

Conclusions:

• The internet is a crucial tool for overcoming accessibility barriers in CELSS research.
• Establishing and utilizing webservers can significantly enhance collaboration and knowledge transfer within the CELSS community.
• Further development of internet resources is essential for advancing CELSS design and development.