The Biotron is one of a few research centers in the world capable of simulating a range of environmental variables with precision and control for the study of plants, animals, materials, and products. The Biotron contains 45 individually ventilated and isolated interior rooms controlled by building automation software (Metasys®) for complex scheduling of environmental setpoints.
Controlled variables include:
| Temperature | -10ºC to 45ºC (-4ºF to 113ºF)(-20C for 16 hours) |
| Humidity (RH) | 10% to 90% |
| Light intensity | 0 to 1,000 µmol m-2s-1 |
| Light quality | incandescent, fluorescent, HID, LED, UV |
| Biological isolation | isolated air-handling, HEPA filtration |
| Sound isolation | insulated with sound-dampening springs |
| Vibration isolation | insulated with sound-dampening springs |
| Electrical power | on/off programmable per minute |
| Watering | automatic per schedule |