IPSTAR BV

IPStar is the technology transfer partner for commercialization of technologies originating from the European Space Agency (ESA) MELiSSA research program. The acronym MELiSSA is short for 'Micro-Ecological Life Support Alternative' and is a development program of a microbiological and horticultural plant based ecosystem. The system is used for regenerative life support systems for long-term space missions to lunar bases or flights to Mars.


MELiSSA Technology
The driving element of MELiSSA is the recovery and recycling of edible biomass, water and oxygen from human waste and carbon dioxide. The scope of technologies that has been developed to overcome the numerous technical challenges encountered with MELiSSA is considerable. Many of these technologies present solutions to environmental issues on Earth. The MELiSSA expertise includes:

- Fundamental biological research to automated industrial applications
- Microbial growth kinetics knowledge has led to predictive kinetic models
- Bio safety
- Real time process monitoring and sensoring
- Liquefaction, homogenization and fermentation of wastes with fibrous components, carbon transformation and nitrification technologies
These technologies offer solutions to many present day industrial problems and consumer requirements. Many of these solutions directly impact and present solutions to environmental issues on earth. Examples include: optimized water treatment systems, sewage systems, recycling of waste, controlled crop growth. And the list continues.

Today IPStar has been building momentum working in close cooperation with the MELiSSA team for more than 5 years. Environmental technology, sustainable energy, food technology ('CleanTech') is hot in today's modern society. The MELiSSA technology and related technology themes represent a huge opportunity in terms of technology transfer and valorization.