Biospherics is the study of Self-Sustaining Ecosystems. From the Institute of Ecotechnics:
“Biospherics differs from systems ecology in that it deals with materially closed systems and thus complete biogeochemical cycling. Biospheres, as a class of objects to
Facilities & Organizations
Biosphere 2
The largest closed system ever created, this
Inside Biosphere 2: Earth Science Under Glass
The Human Experiment: Two Years and Twenty Minutes Inside Biosphere 2
Mark Nelson Discusses Life in Biosphere 2 (Video)
Bios 1, 2, and 3
A series of closed-system experiments conducted at the Institute of Biophysics in what was the Soviet Union.
Experiments primarily focused on using algae as an oxygen source for cosmonauts.
Institute of Ecotechnics
The Institute of Ecotechnics develops models to work with complex dynamics of
MELiSSA
The Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA) is a European Space Agency initiative (ESA) with the aim to develop the technology for a future regenerative life support system for
Mars On Earth®
The Mars On Earth® project is an ecological habitat that is designed to support humans on Mars but is located here, on Earth. This simulation of a sustainable biospheric life support base designed for Mars will be fine-tuned here on Earth so that it can be replicated on Mars. The closed life
Conducted inside the Laboratory Biosphere.
Laboratory Biosphere
The Laboratory Biosphere Experimental Chamber is a custom designed cylindrical steel chamber, measuring 12 feet in diameter and 12 feet in length.
The Laboratory Biosphere was designed and built by the Biosphere Foundation, Biospheric Design, and the Institute of Ecotechnics. It is now owned and operated by Biospheric Design, a division of Global Ecotechnics Corporation.
Important Contributors
Vladimir Vernadsky
Vladimir Vernadsky, a Russian mineralogist
John P. Allen
John Polk Allen (born 6 May 1929) is a systems ecologist and engineer, metallurgist, adventurer
Mark Nelson
Mark Nelson (born 1947) is an American ecologist and author based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His research focuses on closed ecological system research, ecological engineering, restoration of damaged ecosystems, and wastewater recycling. The founding director of the Institute of Ecotechnics in 1973, Nelson was one of the eight original crew members of Biosphere 2 in 1991 and served as the Director of Earth and Space Applications for the project until 1994.
Peer-Reviewed Manuscripts
If you can’t access the linked article due to a paywall, try using Sci-Hub. Sci-Hub is a site that makes articles accessible to everyone without paying. Publishers like to charge upwards of $30 simply to read a manuscript (though the scientists and authors gain no royalties). Sci-Hub bypasses these restrictions, and as such is constantly being litigated. The URL for the site changes frequently. Check its Wikipedia page for currently operational ones.