For several years now, our university has been actively collaborating with Nazarbayev University through the «Sustainability Living Lab» program, implementing student and staff projects aimed at improving the conditions of the AUPET campus. These projects undergo a competitive selection process before being realized. As a result of the 2024 competition, AUPET student Kamil Ravilievich Zamaliev, who at the time was a second-year student of the Aerospace Engineering program, was awarded a grant to implement his project titled «SEMIRAMIDA Hydroponic Systems» – an innovative solution for sustainable agricultural production in urban environments. The project officially began in mid-September 2024, in accordance with the approved calendar plan.
As part of the development process, the design of the hydroponic system was created, and equipment and materials for production, assembly, and testing were purchased. SEMIRAMIDA systems are intended for indoor use, do not require natural sunlight, and are positioned as educational, research, and production-oriented systems. The main goal of the project is to enhance the campus environment by growing eco-friendly, natural berries and greens directly at the point of consumption using the assembled equipment, thereby contributing to food security in urban settings. Additionally, the project serves a recreational purpose by creating a corner of living nature and provides educational value by allowing students and staff to observe and understand the plant cultivation process firsthand.
An electronic control system based on industrial load control timers was developed. This system enables real-time management of pumps, lighting, and nutrient solution circulation, ensuring that the plants receive everything necessary for their growth and development. Within the scope of the project, the following key stages were implemented:
1. Designing the system structure with consideration for ergonomics, safety, and operational reliability.
2. Developing the electrical control scheme for the pump, lighting, and protection against depletion of the nutrient solution tank.
3. Manufacturing and testing a batch of 10 hydroponic systems.
At the final stage of the project, another enthusiastic participant joined – Maksim Ilyich Kulish, a third-year student of the Systems Engineering program from the same Institute of Communication and Space Engineering. He introduced conceptual modifications that resulted in a new type of system designed for growing indoor plants suited to offices and interior styles such as High-Tech, loft, industrial, and similar designs. This creative enhancement significantly expanded the scope of application for the SEMIRAMIDA micro-hydroponic systems.
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