• Question: Have you made any inventions?

    Asked by Libby on 21 Nov 2024. This question was also asked by lauren leahy, karissa.
    • Photo: Luke Fountain

      Luke Fountain answered on 21 Nov 2024:

      I have made several custom setups for experiments in the past, including automatic watering systems for plants, and hydroponics systems, which allow us to grow plants without using any soil. In my current role as a plant scientist at NASA, I have what we call a New Technology Report for a new type of fertilizer that may help us grow plants in space, but sadly I can’t share any more details on it!

      Many scientists make modifications to existing technologies and processes to help them with their research, but many go through their career without developing any inventions of their own. However, expanding our knowledge and understanding of the world around us is just as important!

    • Photo: Rachael Eggleston

      Rachael Eggleston answered on 22 Nov 2024:

      I haven’t, no. I do mostly exploratory research finding out more about plants, as opposed to developmental research inventing new things. I did confirm that a new-ish species of pitcher plant really existed, though, after people decided it was probably just a different-looking population of a super common species!

Comments

  • Photo: Andrew M

    Andrew M commented on :

    I’ve invented a handful of new materials, mostly useless, some of possible academic interest; a few new words, a couple published but none that have caught on; and a selection of new tests and new testing rigs for my company, some of which have seen wider use within the company, some of which served their purpose and are no more. Mostly it’s just an enjoyable diversion, imagining novel ways to solve a particular problem.