Heat: Store in summer, use in winter
New app makes everyday life easier for the blind

Biosphere II: Earth in miniature

Exploring the world of tomorrow - in the world's craziest laboratory: 30 years ago, the artificial ecosystem "Biosphere II" in the Arizona desert achieved cult status through spectacular experiments. Today, scientists are rediscovering planet Earth in miniature.

Written by: Stefan Jermann

Photos: Tomo Muscionico

July 15th, 2022
Biosphere II Exterior

"Biosphere II" offers unique conditions worldwide. "In the first years, the biodiversity in the system had rapidly reduced. Now, 30 years later, we have a stable population," says John R. Adams, who heads "Biosphere II" on behalf of the University of Arizona, in the short film. For researchers, this means: they can create specific conditions in the system and observe how the ecosystem reacts to them. The goal is to make findings that will allow them to anticipate, for example, the climatic conditions that will prevail on the plant in 30 years' time. 

The Naratek short film by Tomo Muscionico provides exclusive insights.

Gallery Biosphere II 

Biosphere II building
Biosphere II building
Biosphere II building
Biosphere II building
Biosphere II Tourists
Biosphere II building
Biosphere II building
Biosphere II areals
Biosphere II building plan
Biosphere II tourist information
Biosphere II glass exterior
Biosphere II greenhouse jungle
Biosphere II greenhouse structure
Biosphere II greenhouse jungle
Biosphere II greenhouse jungle
Biosphere II mirror modules
Biosphere II solar energy
Biosphere II building
Biosphere II building
Biosphere II building
Biosphere II building
Biosphere II Tourists
Biosphere II building
Biosphere II building
Biosphere II areals
Biosphere II building plan
Biosphere II tourist information
Biosphere II glass exterior
Biosphere II greenhouse jungle
Biosphere II greenhouse structure
Biosphere II greenhouse jungle
Biosphere II greenhouse jungle
Biosphere II mirror modules
Biosphere II solar energy

https://biosphere2.org/ 
https://tomofoto.tumblr.com/

#biosphere2 #environmental science #research #science #solar power

Written by:

Stefan Jermann
Stefan Jermann

Initiator and founder of Naratek. Has been moving in the field of communication and storytelling for over 20 years. Strong affinity for tech topics, urban transformations and how people will live and move in cities in the future. 

Photos: Tomo Muscionico

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Glacier V at Schnapfenkuchl in the Austrian Alps in comparison 1954 and 2020.

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Franz Winter from the TU Vienna

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An illustration of the new VR glove designed by scientists

Metaverse glove from the 3D printer

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December 5th, 2022
Peter Wick from Empa's "Particles-Biology Interactions" laboratory in St. Gallen.

Surfaces that kill viruses

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January 16th, 2023
AnimatedGIF_Key

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February 3rd, 2023
an image of broken smartphones about to be recycled

Unused mobile phones hold huge potential

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February 6th, 2023
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Detect cancer faster - thanks to nanosensor

Detecting cancer in a few minutes with a simple blood test: Scientists at the University of Fribourg are one step closer to achieving this goal. With a new nanosensor, they can detect biomarkers originating from cancer quickly and precisely.
February 13th, 2023
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Mitigating the effects of global warming with moon dust

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Scientists Jörg Standfuss and Maximilian Wranik

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New analysis method aims to solve climate puzzle

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The robotic system is shown in an experimental hive

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Wilfried Liegard with green steel

Green Steel Revolution

Steel production is responsible for eight percent of CO2 emissions worldwide. Alternative manufacturing processes exist, but the investments are high and the road is long. Two experts provide insights.
July 13th, 2023
A scientist holding the patch developed by Empa

Swiss patch warns of leaks in the stomach after operations

A patch developed by Swiss researchers provides early warning of leaks at sutures in the gastrointestinal tract. The novel patch should significantly reduce the risk of life-threatening complications after abdominal surgery.
July 24th, 2023
A child running through a maize maze (symbol image)

New tracking system makes food aid more transparent

Until now, food aid operations have been a black box. A new MIT technology is shedding light on the issue, with unique IDs for each individual product.
August 2nd, 2023
a city covered in fog

Drinking water from fog: researchers capture clean water from polluted air

A specially coated metal mesh can extract water from fog and remove environmental pollutants at the same time. With the technology developed in Zurich, drinking water can be extracted from the air even in regions with heavy air pollution.
September 11th, 2023
Carlos Sanchez

A smart path into a sustainable future

Sustainability is no longer a distant dream but a present and pressing reality. Climate change and environmental degradation are forcing companies to take action. They must innovate and implement smart sustainability solutions, says Carlos Sanchez, a renowned sustainability visionary who shared with us the latest sustainability trends that can help build robust, resilient, and sustainable businesses.
September 28th, 2023
Mechanics performing maintenance work on an aircraft

Researchers make non-recyclable plastic recyclable

Swiss researchers have developed a new type of recyclable plastic that could be used in aircraft, cars or wind turbines in the future.
October 2nd, 2023
Recycled asphalt was used on the Lucmanier Pass

More recycled asphalt on Swiss roads

Tests with recycled asphalt on Swiss roads show promising results. In Uster ZH and on the Lukmanier Pass GR, the proportion of recycled asphalt could be increased without any loss of performance, according to Empa.
October 16th, 2023
a photovoltaic system on a house facade

Sun soon to be the most important source of energy

The sun is likely to become the world's most important source of energy before 2050, according to British scientists. This is the result of an analysis of technological and economic data by the University of Exeter and University College London.
November 27th, 2023
A hospital room with two beds divided by a curtain

Germicidal textiles for hospitals

A new process developed by Swiss researchers makes textiles germicidal. In future, this could be used to coat curtains in hospitals.
December 25th, 2023
G.V. Shivashankar arbeitet am PSI und der ETH Zürich

Fountain of youth for cells

Reprogrammed cells allow wounds in older people to heal faster. This could, for example, help burn victims.
January 1st, 2024
A scientist taking a water sample with a bottle

Gentle identification of fish species through their DNA

Identifying fish species in a river using DNA traces: This method was tested in Switzerland. It proved to be simpler and more reliable than the electrofishing method used to date.
January 15th, 2024
pressed plastic bottles

Microplastics fly particularly far and high

Microplastic fibres fly higher and further than previously assumed - even as far as the Arctic.
January 22nd, 2024
A futuristic aircraft with a blended wing body

Aircraft of the future make less noise

In an Empa research project, study participants rated the noise of new types of aircraft as less annoying than the noise of today's aircraft.
April 9th, 2024
the airship flying over a coast

British company produces climate-friendly airship

According to its developers, the British airship Airlander 10 could take off for commercial flights with passengers from 2028.
April 22nd, 2024