
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, November 30, 1995                   TAG: 9511300035
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

BIOSPHERE II'S ENGINEERS SHOW INTEREST IN TECH INPUT

Biosphere II, the 3-acre bubble of life in Arizona that produced as much public controversy as scientific research, may include Virginia Tech in future plans.

Bernd Zabel and Gary Hudman, engineers for the $150 million enclosed ecosystem, visited Tech this week to hear research proposals from the agriculture, engineering and architecture departments.

Two weeks ago, Columbia University agreed to take over management of the immense structure, where eight people tried - unsuccessfully - to live for two years with no assistance from the outside world.

But rather than try another live-in experiment, Zabel said, Columbia plans to focus on environmental studies using the miniature ocean, rain forest, marsh and savannah that thrive within the Biosphere.

Tech, on the other hand, could offer strong knowledge of design and operation for researchers, he said. Temporary CEO Steve Dannon, a graduate of Tech's College of Urban Affairs, originally steered researchers toward his alma mater, and Zabel said they've found potential.

"We've identified a number of areas, especially with architecture and engineering, where we could utilize the school as a research tool," Zabel said.

Maintaining healthy carbon dioxide levels has been a challenge since the first inhabitants tried to live in the complex four years ago.

The "Biospherians" who lived within the glass and steel complex struggled with exhaustion from excess carbon dioxide. At one point, two former crew members were arrested for opening doors to allow fresh air into the sealed environment.

Zabel said another group won't live within the space-age bubble until operational glitches are worked out - perhaps with the help of Tech students and faculty.

Bob Schubert, assistant dean for research in the College of Urban Affairs, said negotiations for the shared projects should be hammered out in the next several months.

by CNB