This study demonstrates that space microgravity might play a potential role in supporting 3D cell growth and maintenance of stemness in embryonic stem cells, while it may negatively affect terminal differentiation.

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Neuromorphic hardware based on artificial synaptic devices has great potential to break the bottleneck of von Neumann architecture, which makes it possible to emulate the working mode of the human brain with low power consumption and high operation efficiency. However, current synaptic devices can barely detect photons and are bio‐incompatible for future all‐in‐one visual perception technology. Here, synaptic photoconductors based on an organic–inorganic hybrid structure, and composed of photosensitive bacteriorhodopsin protein layer and zinc oxide film are reported. The synaptic photoconductors demonstrate tunable synaptic plasticity with the modulation of the light illumination time and power intensity. The working mechanism of the photogating effect induced by the proton pump process of bR protein molecules is further investigated in detail. Assisting with these properties, the imaging memorization and preprocessing function are successfully emulated by the synaptic photoconductors. The prototype photosynaptic devices provide a unique opportunity to realize artificial synapses, enabling neuromorphic hardware.

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The life ecology experimental cabinet on China Space Station is a microgravity scientific experimental platform which is suitable for plant individuals, fish, snails, fruit flies and other biological individuals as the research objects. It includes a general biological culture module (GBCM), a small general biological culture module (SGBCM), a small centrifugal experiment module (SCEM), a small controlled life ecological experiment module (SCLEEM) and a microbial online monitoring module (MOMM). The GBCM provides suitable environmental conditions for biological experiments, including temperature, humidity, light, gas concentration, visible light imaging detection, fluorescence imaging detection, program-controlled instructions, etc. The SGBCM internally provides temperature control and imaging monitoring. Other functions are realized by the replaceable culture unit. The SCEM can realize 1-2g gravity simulation in microgravity environment, and is able to support variable gravity biology research and microgravity comparison experimental research. In SCLEEM, it is planned to carry out a closed aquatic organism culture experiment with algae, fishes and snails as members. Algae provides necessary oxygen for fishes and snails through photosynthesis. MOMM is a payload used to detect the presence and classification of microorganisms in the environment. Each module works independently and has an independent electronic control system with the same architecture.This paper will introduce its basic functions, experimental conditions and expandable interface resources module by module. It provides a basis for space biologists to design experiments and a reference for payload engineers.