Multiblood

As the human race expanded across the galaxy, they came into contact with a wide variety of other intelligences, many of whom integrated into human society. As a result, the work of medics became more and more difficult, as the range of possible patients increased. To make things a bit easier, scientists gradually developed synthetic replacements for various body parts that could work with a wide range of possible biologies.

Multiblood is multi-colored because it isn’t a single substance, but is made of several nanotechnical metamaterials that each perform a different function. The various elements of multiblood perform all the main functions of blood, they deliver oxygen and nutrients, remove carbon dioxide and waste products, patch up wounds and defend against pathogens. The iv bag that contains and delivers multiblood contains a probe that can detect the patient’s genetic makeup and communicates to the nanobots in the multiblood to optimize its activity. While it isn’t as effective as a replacement for natural blood as the genuine article, multiblod has saved countless lives by doing a good-enough job for the widest array of possible patients.

Bioreactors

Bioreactors are an important technology, used in a wide variety of applications.  A bioreactor is essentially a self-contained habitat for microorganisms, feeding watering and sheltering them so they can perform some useful function.  Depending on the application, a bioreactor can be small enough to fit in a handheld device or large enough to fill a room. 

Depending on the organism and the nutrients fed into the bioreactor, it can do a number of useful things.  Bioreactors with specially engineered organisms can produce medicine, food, fuel, bio-plastics, and even building materials.   Bioreactors are used in the process of algal symbiosis.  Terra-forming operations also use this technology extensively, particularly in atmospheric conditioners and soil processors.

In space colonies, and on ships bioreactors growing algae recycle the air and water.  Many an astronaut has complained about the flavorless organic mush produced by a bioreactor for food when more appealing fare is in short supply.

Both Human and Cielioid -based civilizations make extensive use of this technology, as it is one of the gateway developments to serious space-fairing. One of the main manufacturers of bioreactors in human-controlled space is Cosmid, inc. one of the largest of the corporate states.  On Earth, bioreactors were first developed late in Era-0.

Soil Processors

Description

Soil processors are terraforming tools used to make regolith or alien soil amenable to agriculture.  Usually built into a mobile platform, such as a large truck, and paired with earth moving equipment, soil processors go from site to site, producing usable soil.  Some soil processors are stationary production plants, but these are the exceptions to the rule.

The first stage of the soil processor consists of a rock crusher that breaks stones into small enough pieces for the process to continue.  The second stage of soil processing sends the soil through a tumbler with microbial cultures added.  This stage takes the edges off of sharp-edged fragments, aerates the soil, and starts the growth of beneficial microbes.  After the tumbler, the soil spends a certain amount of time fermenting in a bioreactor, where it is stirred together with engineered algae, fungi and other living agents, such as worms and insects.  After the bioreactor is done, the soil goes through one more aeration stage before being returned to the ground.  

The whole process can take between a week and several months depending on what kind of soil is being processed, and for what use.

Soil processing operations on Shoji circa GSC 215

Atmospheric Conditioners

Description

Atmospheric Conditioners generally take the form of large buildings, the size of skyscrapers covered in large ventilation ports.  The ports serve to draw in the planet's atmosphere, and to expel the newly conditioned atmosphere.

Inside the conditioner ducts lead the incoming air first to a bioreactor that uses genetically engineered algae and other microorganisms to remove unwanted substances and to add oxygen, and other gasses if needed.  If the planet's greenhouse effect is too low to sustain a habitable climate, the air then goes to a chamber where the appropriate gasses are added, often by burning certain fuels.  The heat produced by this process is re-captured to provide power.  If the planet's climate is too cold, the conditioner may also include a Heat Mill to warm the outgoing air.  If the air is too dry or too humid, an atmospheric conditioner also includes humidifying/dehumidifying equipment.

The number of atmospheric conditioners installed on a planet depends on the volume of the atmosphere, as well as how much the air needs to be altered.  Planets with higher populations also tend to need more conditioning.  

Atmospheric Conditioning technology also has its abuses.  The corporate state of Cosmid used this technology on several planets to test new drugs on unsuspecting populations.  The Holy Empire of Man also used atmospheric conditioners to drug entire planets. 

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Atmospheric conditioners in the Black Iron Desert on Bonnard's End

Algal Symbiosis

Description

Early in Era-1, a technique was discovered to coax certain types of algae into a symbiotic relationship with the human body.  The result is that the subject’s skin and hair takes on a green hue.  The subject requires less food and less oxygen, due to the photosynthesis of the algae. For this reason, the practice is encouraged by most space colonies.

In preparation, the host has to take a suite of drugs for a month ahead of symbiosis, in order to prepare.  After that, the host is coated with reagents, and submerged in a bioreactor in order to receive the algae. The leading provider of algal-symbiosis technology is Cosmid, inc., one of the largest corporate states.

After symbiosis, the algae has to be maintained.  The host has to consume extra water in order to keep the algae hydrated.  The algae also requires sunlight, and people with algal symbiosis generally wear more revealing clothing and have to sunbathe or use a tanning bed two or three times a week.

Failure to properly maintain the symbiosis results in the algae dying, causing the affected skin to itch, blister, and eventually peel off, taking all the advantages of the algae with it. 

Appearances

Algal symbiosis is mentioned in the short story Beyond the Spozak.