Light-based tech could inspire Moon navigation and next-gen farming

Peer-Reviewed Publication

RMIT UNIVERSITY

 

IMAGE: THIS CHIP IS THE SIZE OF A FINGERNAIL AND IS MADE ON A THIN FILM OF LITHIUM NIOBATE. IT CAN BE USED IN A RANGE OF APPLICATIONS, INCLUDING IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS TO MAKE OUR INTERNET FASTER. view more 

CREDIT: RMIT UNIVERSITY

Super-thin chips made from lithium niobate are set to overtake silicon chips in light-based technologies, according to world-leading scientists in the field, with potential applications ranging from remote ripening-fruit detection on Earth to navigation on the Moon.

They say the artificial crystal offers the platform of choice for these technologies due to its superior performance and recent advances in manufacturing capabilities. 

RMIT University’s Distinguished Professor Arnan Mitchell and University of Adelaide’s Dr Andy Boes led this team of global experts to review lithium niobate’s capabilities and potential applications in the journal Science.

The international team, including scientists from Peking University in China and Harvard University in the United States, is working with industry to make navigation systems that are planned to help rovers drive on the Moon later this decade.  

As it is impossible to use global positioning system (GPS) technology on the Moon, navigation systems in lunar rovers will need to use an alternative system, which is where the team’s innovation comes in.

By detecting tiny changes in laser light, the lithium-niobate chip can be used to measure movement without needing external signals, according to Mitchell.

“This is not science fiction – this artificial crystal is being used to develop a range of exciting applications. And competition to harness the potential of this versatile technology is heating up,” said Mitchell, Director of the Integrated Photonics and Applications Centre.

He said while the lunar navigation device was in the early stages of development, the lithium niobate chip technology was “mature enough to be used in space applications”.

“Our lithium niobate chip technology is also flexible enough to be rapidly adapted to almost any application that uses light,” Mitchell said.

“We are focused on navigation now, but the same technology could also be used for linking internet on the Moon to the internet on Earth.”

What is lithium niobate and how can it be used?

Lithium niobate is an artificial crystal that was first discovered in 1949 but is “back in vogue”, according to Boes.

“Lithium niobate has new uses in the field of photonics – the science and technology of light – because unlike other materials it can generate and manipulate electro-magnetic waves across the full spectrum of light, from microwave to UV frequencies,” he said.

“Silicon was the material of choice for electronic circuits, but its limitations have become increasingly apparent in photonics.

“Lithium niobate has come back into vogue because of its superior capabilities, and advances in manufacturing mean that it is now readily available as thin films on semiconductor wafers.”

A layer of lithium niobate about 1,000 times thinner than a human hair is placed on a semiconductor wafer, Boes said.

“Photonic circuits are printed into the lithium niobate layer, which are tailored according to the chip’s intended use. A fingernail-sized chip may contain hundreds of different circuits,” he said.

How does the lunar navigation tech work?

The team is working with the Australian company Advanced Navigation to create optical gyroscopes, where laser light is launched in both clockwise and anticlockwise directions in a coil of fibre, Mitchell said.

“As the coil is moved the fibre is slightly shorter in one direction than the other, according to Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity,” he said.

“Our photonic chips are sensitive enough to measure this tiny difference and use it to determine how the coil is moving. If you can keep track of your movements, then you know where you are relative to where you started. This is called inertial navigation.”

Potential applications closer to home

This technology can also be used to remotely detect the ripeness of fruit.

“Gas emitted by ripe fruit is absorbed by light in the mid-infrared part of the spectrum,” Mitchell said.

“A drone hovering in an orchard would transmit light to another which would sense the degree to which the light is absorbed and when fruit is ready for harvesting.

“Our microchip technology is much smaller, cheaper and more accurate than current technology and can be used with very small drones that won’t damage fruit trees.”

Next steps

Australia could become a global hub for manufacturing integrated photonic chips from lithium niobate that would have a major impact on applications in technology that use every part of the spectrum of light, Mitchell said.

“We have the technology to manufacture these chips in Australia and we have the industries that will use them,” he said.

“Photonic chips can now transform industries well beyond optical fibre communications.”

“Lithium niobate photonics: Unlocking the electromagnetic spectrum” is published in Science (DOI: 10.1126/science.abj4396).

RMIT University and the University of Adelaide led this research in collaboration with Peking University, Stanford University, Harvard University, University of Southern California, Hyperlight, University of Rochester and University of California.

Co-authors are Andy Boes, Lin Chang, Carsten Langrock, Mengjie Yu, Mian Zhang, Qiang Lin, Marko Lončar, Martin Fejer, John Bowers and Arnan Mitchell.

MULTIMEDIA FOR MEDIA USE

Media are free to use the images and b-roll footage available via this link: https://cloudstor.aarnet.edu.au/plus/s/F1TebOgQnr1mmOb

Suggested captions and credit information are provided.

Note: We are pitching this story in coordination with the University of Adelaide media team, which has prepared its own media release and also shared it via EurekAlert!

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JOURNAL

Science

DOI

10.1126/science.abj4396 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Systematic review

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Not applicable

ARTICLE TITLE

Lithium niobate photonics: Unlocking the electromagnetic spectrum

Novel protective layer for catalysts developed by GIST scientists improves life and performance

The protective tetraphenylporphyrin layer prevents the degradation of inexpensive nickel¬–iron catalysts

Peer-Reviewed Publication

GIST (GWANGJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY)

 

IMAGE: THE TTP PROTECTION LAYER SUPPRESSES THE DISSOLUTION OF FE AT THE ANODE IN ELECTROCHEMICAL WATER-SPLITTING REACTIONS, THEREBY PROLONGING THE LIFE OF THE CATALYST AND IMPROVING ITS PERFORMANCE view more 

CREDIT: JAEYOUNG LEE OF GWANJU INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Green hydrogen is hydrogen fuel that is produced using environment-friendly methods. Water electrolysis is one of the primary methods of producing green hydrogen. Here, electrical energy generated using renewable energy sources, such as solar panels or wind energy, is used to drive a water-splitting reaction in an electrochemical cell to produce hydrogen and oxygen. However, this reaction requires the use of expensive catalysts, which increases the cost of green hydrogen, making it unviable. Using nickel–iron (Ni–Fe) catalysts at the anode is a possible solution, but these catalysts tend to corrode and get deactivated due to the oxygen released at the anode of the water-splitting cell.

To address this issue, a team of researchers led by Professor Jaeyoung Lee of Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Korea created a protection layer for Ni–Fe catalyst that can increase their life and performance. According to Prof. Lee, “The major deactivation route for Ni–Fe catalysts is the dissolution of Fe at the oxygen emitting anode of the water-splitting cell. So, we developed an Ni–Fe-based catalyst with a tetraphenylporphyrin (TPP) protection layer. The TPP layer was able to minimize the dissolution of Fe during the oxygen evolution reaction and thus, increase the life and performance of the catalyst.” Their research was made available online on October 23, 2022, and was published in Volume 61 Issue 51 of Angewandte Chemie on December 19, 2022.

The research team found that the TPP layer was able to shield the Ni–Fe catalyst by creating a non-polar region around the catalyst, which significantly slowed down and reduced the dissolution of the unstable Fe atoms in the catalyst. The TPP protection layer was also seen to increase the redeposition of Fe atoms back on to the catalyst. These two effects combined to increase the life of the Ni–Fe catalyst. The researchers found that the TPP protected Ni–Fe catalyst was able to sustain high hydrogen production for prolonged periods.

“Water-splitting offers a solution to meet the Paris Climate Agreement goal of being carbon neutral by 2050, since water electrolysis doesn’t emit the carbon dioxide while producing hydrogen. But the price of hydrogen production using water electrolysis is still too high. This research can help us reduce the costs by using inexpensive, non-noble materials like Ni and Fe with a protection layer. This can lead us to a more sustainable future for all of us,” concluded Prof. Lee.

We hope to see the future of hydrogen fuel soon!

 

***

 

Reference

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202214541

 

Authors: Sinwoo Kang1,2, Changbin Im3, Ioannis Spanos4, Kahyun Ham1,2,5, Ahyoun Lim4, Timo Jacob3,6,7, Robert Schlögl4,8, and Jaeyoung Lee1,2,5

 

Affiliations:     

1School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology

2International Future Research Center of Chemical Energy Storage and Conversion Processes (ifRC-CHESS), GIST

3 Institute of Electrochemistry, Ulm University

4 Department of Heterogeneous Reactions, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion

5 Ertl Center for Electrochemistry and Catalysis, GIST

6 Helmholtz-Institute Ulm (HIU) Electrochemical Energy Storage, Ulm

7 Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)

8 Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Fritz Haber Institut der Max-Planck-Gesselschaft

 

About the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST)
The Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) is a research-oriented university situated in Gwangju, South Korea. Founded in 1993, GIST has become one of the most prestigious schools in South Korea. The university aims to create a strong research environment to spur advancements in science and technology and to promote collaboration between international and domestic research programs. With its motto of “A Proud Creator of Future Science and Technology,” GIST has consistently received one of the highest university rankings in Korea.

Website: http://www.gist.ac.kr/

 

About the author
Jaeyoung Lee is a prominent professor at GIST. He obtained his doctoral degree in 2001 under Prof. Ertl at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, Germany. His current research interests include fuel cells, electrolytic processes, and lithium-ion batteries.

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JOURNAL

Angewandte Chemie

DOI

10.1002/anie.202214541 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Experimental study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Not applicable

ARTICLE TITLE

Durable Nickel-Iron (Oxy)hydroxide Oxygen Evolution Electrocatalysts through Surface Functionalization with Tetraphenylporphyrin

Hate crime legislation vague and inconsistent among 50 U.S. states

Peer-Reviewed Publication

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

 

IMAGE: AN ANALYSIS OF 271 STATUTES FROM ALL 50 U.S. STATES, FOUND THAT EVERY STATE LEGISLATES HATE CRIMES DIFFERENTLY, RESULTING IN DIFFERENTIAL JUSTICE IN THESE CASES. view more 

CREDIT: ALEX DOLCE, FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY

Hate crimes in the United States have increased in frequency in recent years. The rise of antisemitism, white supremacy and religious extremism has prompted the federal government and many states to pass several pieces of legislation targeted at crimes motivated by hate.

To better understand the nature of these laws, researchers from Florida Atlantic University conducted a content analysis that focused on the nation’s hate crime legislation from all 50 states following the 2016, but prior to the 2017, legislative session.

The final data analysis consisted of 271 statutes and four themes emerged from the data, including how hate crimes have been contextualized, inconsistencies in hate crime legislation coverage, differences in court procedures in hate crime cases, and state efforts to combat hate crimes.

Results of the study, published in the journal Victims & Offenders, showed that race, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, and disability were among the most recognized classes and populations in hate crime legislation. However, coverage differed greatly within these classifications due to how states conceptualize them.

“Every state legislates hate crimes differently, which results in differential justice in these cases across the nation,” said Seth Fallik, Ph.D., lead author, associate professor and undergraduate coordinator in the School for Criminology and Criminal Justice within FAU’s College of Social Work and Criminal Justice.

Among the study’s key findings:

• Four states did not have any hate crime statutes (Indiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire and South Carolina)
• Although voting and political expression are paramount in a democracy, only Iowa and West Virginia had statutes that recognized hate crimes motivated by political affiliation.
• Thirty-one states address sexual orientation in their hate crime legislation, however, only 12 states protect individuals based on their gender identity. While the number of states that cover the LGBTQ+ community continues to grow, not all states define these groups appropriately in their hate crime legislation.
• There were 37 states that protected religious locations. Yet, most states do not mention mosques and/or synagogues among protected institutions, despite these religious institutions being the most frequent targets of hate crimes. While churches were the most commonly identified religious institution among hate crimes legislation, they were mentioned by name in fewer than half of U.S. states. Only Delaware protects all places of worship.
• Thirty-one states offer protection covering physical, mental and other disabilities. While most states do recognize the importance of protecting these individuals, states continue to vary in the extent of their protections and rights afforded. New Mexico offers the most encompassing statute in this context.
• The most protected classes and populations of people were race (48 states), nation of origin (47 states), and religion (46 states).
• More than half of the states require prison (35 states) and/or jail time (30 states) for those who have been convicted of a hate crime.
• More than half of the states (27) have laws regarding hate crime reporting, which require collecting and storing data on hate crimes for the state.
• Combating hate crimes by public dissemination and training was primarily overlooked by the states. Two areas where states had a consensus on were victim resources and data collecting.

California offered the most encompassing law, as it clearly delineates protected classes and locations, while conceptualizing both. The researchers say California should serve as a basis for states moving forward, as it addresses the vagueness and inconsistent nature of other state statutes.

“There still much more work to be done. We suggest that state legislation provide greater conciseness and specificity to the law and courtroom procedures, be mindful of appropriate social science definitions, apply equal coverage to institutions, and provide victims’ resources and public services through legislation,” said Cassandra Atkin-Plunk, Ph.D., co-author, an associate professor, and associate director in FAU’s College of Social Work and Criminal Justice. “By doing so, hate crime and its harms can be adequately addressed within the criminal justice system.”

Study co-authors include Scott Gardner, a graduate student in FAU’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice; Alexandria Remillard, a graduate assistant at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs; Thomas Venuto, a graduate of FAU’s College of Business; and Adam Dobrin, Ph.D., an associate professor in FAU’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice.

- FAU -

About Florida Atlantic University:
Florida Atlantic University, established in 1961, officially opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across six campuses located along the southeast Florida coast. In recent years, the University has doubled its research expenditures and outpaced its peers in student achievement rates. Through the coexistence of access and excellence, FAU embodies an innovative model where traditional achievement gaps vanish. FAU is designated a Hispanic-serving institution, ranked as a top public university by U.S. News & World Report and a High Research Activity institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. For more information, visit www.fau.edu.

 

 

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JOURNAL

Victims & Offenders

DOI

10.1080/15564886.2022.2140729 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Meta-analysis

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Not applicable

ARTICLE TITLE

Defining Hate: A Content Analysis of State Hate Crime Legislation in the United States of America

 New modelling study shows that most plastic debris on Seychelles beaches comes from far-off sources

Peer-Reviewed Publication

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

 

IMAGE: CAPTION: DEBRIS ACCUMULATING ON ALDABRA ATOLL, A REMOTE CORAL ISLAND AND UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE IN THE SOUTHWESTERN SEYCHELLES. THESE PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN AS PART OF A MAJOR 2019 CLEAN-UP OPERATION ON THE ISLAND, THE ALDABRA CLEAN-UP PROJECT (PART-ORGANISED BY RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD). CREDIT: SEYCHELLES ISLANDS FOUNDATION (SIF) view more 

CREDIT: CAPTION: DEBRIS ACCUMULATING ON ALDABRA ATOLL, A REMOTE CORAL ISLAND AND UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE IN THE SOUTHWESTERN SEYCHELLES. THESE PHOTOGRAPHS WERE TAKEN AS PART OF A MAJOR 2019 CLEAN-UP OPERATION ON THE ISLAND, THE ALDABRA CLEAN-UP PROJECT (PART-ORGANISED BY RESEARCHERS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD). CREDIT: SEYCHELLES ISLANDS FOUNDATION (SIF)

• A new modelling study shows that the Seychelles and other islands in the western Indian Ocean are not responsible for most of the plastic waste that accumulates on their beaches.
• Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka were found to be the main sources of land-based plastic debris.
• The Seychelles also accumulate significant amounts of plastic debris of marine origin from fisheries and shipping lanes.
• The results highlight the urgent need for a legally-binding Global Plastics Treaty and greater enforcement of regional policies to reduce plastic waste.

Vast amounts of plastic debris accumulate on beaches across the Seychelles and other small island developing states. Observational analysis (for instance, plastic bottle labels) suggest that much of this waste originates from distant sources and not from the islands themselves. But until now, the likely sources of this debris have not been quantified.

A new study led by the University of Oxford investigated this by developing a high-resolution model that simulated the movement of plastic debris across the world’s oceans. This used input data on ocean currents, waves, and winds, and plastic debris entering the ocean from coastal populations, rivers and fisheries, to predict plastic debris accumulation at 27 sites in the Seychelles and wider western Indian ocean. The results have been published in Marine Pollution Bulletin.

The researchers modelled the likely sources of both land-based and marine types of plastic pollution.

Key findings:

• Indonesia is the primary source of land-based plastic debris found on beaches in the Seychelles, with major contributions from India and Sri Lanka. This was particularly the case for medium-large debris that have a high buoyancy (such as bottle caps, sandals, bottles, and small domestic items).
• Plastic debris arriving from Indonesia would have been at sea for at least 6 months, with some exceeding 2 years.
• Smaller plastic debris, such as millimetre-sized plastic fragments and pellets, tended to originate from East Africa and from within the Seychelles itself. Smaller fragments are less buoyant than larger items, and do not travel as far before sinking.
• The Seychelles also accumulate significant amounts of plastic debris of marine origin from fisheries and shipping lanes, such as discarded or lost fishing gear. The large numbers of bottles beaching at these islands with labels suggesting they come from Malaysia, Thailand and, in particular, China, were probably discarded from ships rather than floating from those countries directly. For some islands, a significantly higher proportion of plastic waste comes from marine sources, rather than land.
• Rates of plastic debris accumulation showed a strong seasonal affect. Plastic debris from both land and marine sources was most likely to land on beaches in the Seychelles at the end of the northwest monsoon, with the highest rates in March and April. 
• Plastic debris accumulation may also be amplified by El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD, also known as the Indian Niño) events.

This is the first study to produce a quantitative estimate of the sources of plastic debris for the Seychelles and other remote islands in the western Indian Ocean. Such plastic pollution is a significant environmental threat, both for marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on the ocean for food, tourism, and other economic activities. In addition, plastic debris that drifts from far-off sources increases the risk of spreading invasive species and diseases.

A previous study led by University of Oxford researchers estimated that over 500 tonnes of debris had accumulated at Aldabra Atoll in Seychelles, an ecologically valuable UNESCO World Heritage Site with zero permanent population.  

Lead author of the current research, Noam Vogt-Vincent (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford), said ‘We have combined observational data from across the Seychelles with cutting-edge computer simulations to generate the most comprehensive predictions currently available for marine litter dispersal in the region. This will provide vital information for local management on these islands – many of which are global biodiversity hotspots - and to inform national and international responses.’

According to the researchers, the results illustrate the sheer scale of the plastic pollution challenge facing small island developing states, and makes the need for a global plastic treaty more urgent than ever. This could include, for instance, greater enforcement of policies that forbid the disposal of fishing gear and other plastics at sea. The findings also build on the ever-growing evidence that investing in waste management systems and implementing policies for waste disposal at the main source nations is the number one action to prevent land-based litter arriving at remote island sites.

Knowing when plastic debris accumulation is likely to peak could help to plan mitigation efforts. For instance, the results suggest that beach clean-ups should take place after peak debris accumulation (i.e. May to June) to reduce the likelihood of plastic debris breaking down into smaller fragments and impacting ecosystems.

Co-author Dr April Burt (Seychelles Islands Foundation and University of Oxford) said: ‘These islands are faced with the deeply inequitable situation of bearing the costs of removing waste they were not responsible for generating, contrary to the “polluter pays” principle. Our study has demonstrated that most of the plastic debris accumulating at these remote islands comes from far-off sources, and this should be the first positive step towards accountability and prevention.’

The study also involved researchers from the University of Montpellier; the Institut de Recherche pour le D’eveloppement, MARBEC; and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology.

Caption: Debris accumulating on Aldabra Atoll, a remote coral island and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the southwestern Seychelles. These photographs were taken as part of a major 2019 clean-up operation on the island, the Aldabra Clean-Up Project (part-organised by researchers at the University of Oxford). Credit: Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF)

CREDIT

Caption: Debris accumulating on Aldabra Atoll, a remote coral island and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the southwestern Seychelles. These photographs were taken as part of a major 2019 clean-up operation on the island, the Aldabra Clean-Up Project (part-organised by researchers at the University of Oxford). Credit: Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF)

Notes to editors:

For media enquiries and interview requests, contact Dr Caroline Wood, University of Oxford: caroline.wood@admin.ox.ac.uk

The study ‘Sources of marine debris for Seychelles and other remote islands in the western Indian Ocean’ has been published in Marine Pollution Bulletin: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X22011791

Photographs of plastic waste debris on beaches in the Seychelles are available on request. Contact Dr Caroline Wood, University of Oxford: caroline.wood@admin.ox.ac.uk.

A video simulation showing the dispersal of plastic waste across the Indian Ocean over a four-year period can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma0wlFfA6dI

This can be linked to in news items if the following caption is included:

Caption: A four-year debris dispersal simulation using the numerical model developed in this study. Debris continuously enters the ocean from coasts and rivers, and is transported by ocean currents, waves, and winds. The colours represent the concentration of debris at the ocean surface, and the animation shows how the distribution of debris in the Indian Ocean is strongly driven by the monsoons. Video credit: Noam Vogt-Vincent.

About the University of Oxford

Oxford University has been placed number 1 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings for the seventh year running, and ​number 2 in the QS World Rankings 2022. At the heart of this success are the twin-pillars of our ground-breaking research and innovation and our distinctive educational offer.

Oxford is world-famous for research and teaching excellence and home to some of the most talented people from across the globe. Our work helps the lives of millions, solving real-world problems through a huge network of partnerships and collaborations. The breadth and interdisciplinary nature of our research alongside our personalised approach to teaching sparks imaginative and inventive insights and solutions.

Through its research commercialisation arm, Oxford University Innovation, Oxford is the highest university patent filer in the UK and is ranked first in the UK for university spinouts, having created more than 200 new companies since 1988. Over a third of these companies have been created in the past three years. The university is a catalyst for prosperity in Oxfordshire and the United Kingdom, contributing £15.7 billion to the UK economy in 2018/19, and supports more than 28,000 full time jobs.

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JOURNAL

Marine Pollution Bulletin

DOI

10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114497 

ARTICLE TITLE

Sources of marine debris for Seychelles and other remote islands in the western Indian Ocean

New paper offers best practices for LGBTQ+ field scientists and mentors

Peer-Reviewed Publication

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL, CONSUMER AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

 

IMAGE: EARLY-CAREER ECOLOGISTS AND LGBTQ+ ADVOCATES AT EARLHAM COLLEGE AND THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS PROVIDE BEST PRACTICES FOR SUPPORTING LGBTQ+ STUDENTS AND SCIENTISTS DURING FIELD WORK. CO-LEAD-AUTHOR NATHAN ALEXANDER IS SHOWN WITH HIS STUDY ORGANISM, A POCKET GOPHER, IN RURAL ILLINOIS. view more 

CREDIT: NATHAN ALEXANDER, UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

URBANA, Ill. – People from marginalized gender and sexual identities can have safer experiences participating in ecological field research when leaders incorporate better field safety protocols and advocate for systemic changes, according to a new paper authored by scientists from Earlham College, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and other institutions.

The paper, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, offers best practices for LGBTQ+ inclusion based on evidence-based strategies currently in use by the authors. The paper also underscores the role of systematic inclusion in attracting and retaining a qualified, richly diverse workforce.

“Institutions of higher education and mentors want to make progress on LGBTQ+ inclusion but they often don’t know where to start,” says Jaime Coon, an assistant professor of biology and environmental sustainability at Earlham and a lead author on the paper. “Our aim was to create actionable recommendations based on stories from an author team with diverse experiences and identities.” Coon completed her doctoral program in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences (NRES), part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at UIUC.

The authors draw on their own stories of marginalization to reveal a greater risk of harassment, discrimination, and violence for LGBTQ+ people, especially in rural or remote fieldwork situations. Marginalized gender and sexual identities also face social, physical, and emotional barriers to safety and inclusion in the context of fieldwork. Assigning individuals to gendered bunkhouses or excluding LGBTQ+ individuals from shared housing are just a few examples.

Nathan Alexander, the study’s other lead author and doctoral student in NRES, adds, “An important aspect of this paper is that we approach advocacy and inclusion at structural and interpersonal levels, and we provide personal resiliency strategies for LGBTQ+ field researchers. Often, LGBTQ+ advocacy focuses on interpersonal actions (e.g., using correct pronouns) but fails to acknowledge structural barriers that may prohibit access.”

The authors call for cis/heterosexual mentors and peers to actively learn about the challenges LGBTQ+ people face, and to promote a welcoming, supportive atmosphere that challenges the standard of cis/heteronormativity: the assumption that everyone is straight or identifies with their gender assigned at birth.

Regarding institutional change, the authors recommend creating comprehensive fieldwork protocols, safety plans, gender-inclusive housing and bathroom policies, and ensuring medical insurance includes gender-affirming healthcare.

“During my teaching assistantships over the years, I've had students ask if they had to change to a different major because they were gay; I've had students come out to me; and I've been privileged to provide guidance and support to individual students. However, having a mentor is not a guarantee. We hoped to provide information on not only finding mentors or an LGBTQ+ fieldwork community, but also some practical suggestions and affirmation of belonging to anyone that may be isolated," Alexander says.

In addition to community-building advice for mentors – for example, planning a Pride Month celebration – the paper includes individual resilience strategies for LGBTQ+ field ecologists. These include being aware of safety risks and finding ways to stay connected to LGBTQ+ communities, such as bringing a personal, subtle symbol of LGBTQ+ identity like a special book or photo. Remaining connected to community is critical, the authors note, because fieldwork often takes place in isolated locations that may lack LGBTQ+-friendly resources.   

While the paper was written primarily with ecological fieldwork in mind, the recommendations are broadly applicable to anyone interested in LGBTQ+ inclusion work.

“This isn’t just about making institutions of higher education a better place. This is about making everywhere a better place,” Coon said. “LGBTQ+ folks are more likely to experience homelessness. They are more likely to experience harassment and victimization in their day-to-day lives. We wanted to bring these societal conversations to the forefront as a part of LGBTQ+ inclusion within field ecology.”

The paper, “Best practices for LGBTQ+ inclusion in ecological fieldwork,” is published in the Journal of Applied Ecology [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14339]. Authors include Coon, Alexander, Emmett Smith, Madeleine Spellman, Isaac Klimasmith, Lucas Allen-Custodio, Thea Clarkberg, Douglas Knutson, Kae Fountain, Michael Rivera, Maxine Scherz, and Leslie Morrow.

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JOURNAL

Journal of Applied Ecology

DOI

10.1111/1365-2664.14339 

How racialized beauty norms motivate the use of toxic beauty products among women of color

Peer-Reviewed Publication

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY'S MAILMAN SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH

A new study sheds light on racialized beauty norms that motivate the use of chemical hair straighteners and skin lighteners linked to poor health outcomes. Among survey respondents, beauty was the leading reason for using both chemical straighteners and skin lighteners. Evidence suggests chemical straightener use has declined among Black women, in line with the rise of the natural hair movement, while skin lightener use by Asian woman remains steady, the study also finds.

Data analysis was led by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in close partnership with environmental justice group WE ACT for Environmental Justice, which also led the design and execution of the study. Findings are published in the journal Environmental Justice.

Historically, chemical straighteners and skin lighteners are disproportionately used by women of color, as a result of racialized beauty norms that prioritize straight hair and light skin. The disproportionate burden of toxic chemicals from beauty products among women of color is an environmental injustice of beauty since intersectional systems of oppression (i.e., racism, sexism, classism) influence      Eurocentric beauty norms (e.g., societal preferences for light skin and straight hair) and racialized beauty practices, all of which can have long term consequences on the health and wellbeing of marginalized populations.

Chemical straighteners, such as relaxers, can contain harmful chemicals such as phthalates, parabens, and formaldehyde. Studies have linked relaxer use with earlier age at menarche and increased risk of uterine fibroids and breast and uterine cancers. Skin lighteners can contain corticosteroids, which can disrupt cortisol regulation and lead to metabolic problems, and mercury, which can cause kidney and nervous system damage.

The researchers surveyed 297 women and femme-identifying individuals in Northern Manhattan and the South Bronx through the WE ACT Beauty Inside Out campaign.

Chemical Straighteners

Forty-four percent of female respondents reported ever using chemical straighteners and 34 percent of femme-identifying respondents reported ever using them. Current use of products was lower at 15 percent and 13 percent for female and femme-identifying respondents, respectively.

Black respondents were most likely to use chemical straighteners. Among non-Hispanic Black respondents, 60 percent reported ever use and 19 percent reported current use. Among Hispanic Black respondents, 48 percent reported ever use and 24 percent reported current use.

Half of all respondents said they think others believe straight hair makes women more beautiful, while only 36 percent of respondents said they personally felt this way. The researchers found similar results when respondents were asked about whether straight hair makes women look younger, wealthier, or more professional. Respondents who thought that others believe that straight hair makes women look wealthier or more professional were more likely to use chemical straighteners in their lifetimes than women who did not have these beliefs.

Skin Lighteners

Twenty-five percent of female respondents reported ever using skin lighteners and 22 percent of femme-identifying respondents reported ever using them. Current use was lower at 16 percent and 9 percent for female and femme-identifying respondents, respectively.

Asian respondents reported the highest frequency of skin lightener use, with 57 percent ever and current use. Skin lightener use among Asian and Hispanic respondents was higher for respondents born in other countries versus the U.S. 

Similar to the findings for straight hair, half of respondents said others find light skin more beautiful, while only 33 percent of respondents reported personally feeling this way. They found similar results when respondents were asked about lighter skin making women look younger, wealthier, or more professional. Respondents who thought others believe that lighter skin makes women look more beautiful or younger were more likely to currently use skin lighteners than women who did not have these beliefs.

Conclusion

“We found evidence that racialized beauty norms that are shaped by historical and present-day racism and sexism continue to determine the use of these products,” says study first author Lariah Edwards, PhD, associate research scientist in the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at Columbia Mailman. “Respondents’ perceptions that others believe straight hair and/or lighter skin confer benefits were associated with greater product use.”

While the evidence suggests a decline in the use of chemical straighteners by Black women as women opt for hairstyles that feature their natural hair texture, the researchers caution that there is a lack of data on the chemical content of hair products sold to style natural hairstyles. Researchers say the lack of a similar decline in the use of skin lighteners is facilitated by gaps in the regulations of the products that make them easily available to buy online.

“Programs and policies are needed to counteract natural hair discrimination and colorism and transform the markets that depend on racist beauty norms. Educating consumers about racialized beauty norms could motivate them to advocate for legislation, such as the Safer Beauty Bill package, which ensures safer products for all,” says co-senior author Ami Zota, PhD, associate professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia Mailman School.

“WE ACT is dedicated to using this data to advancing policy at all levels of government, understanding that the health and quality of life of women of color and femme-identifying folk is of the upmost importance. These Euro-centric standards of hair care, and toxic chemicals in beauty products are endangering the lives of people that we know and love, and change must happen immediately,” says co-senior author Beaumont Morton, Director of Environmental Health and Education at WE ACT for Environmental Justice

Co-authors include Jasmine McDonald, Columbia Mailman; Lubna Ahmed, Leslie Martinez, Sophia Huda, and Beaumont “Taylor” Morton (co-senior author), WE ACT; Bhavna Shamasunder, Occidental College; and Robert Dubrow, Yale School of Public Health.

The Passport Foundation and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) Center for Environmental Health in Northern Manhattan (ES009089).  

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JOURNAL

Environmental Justice

DOI

10.1089/env.2022.0053 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Survey

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

People

ARTICLE TITLE

Beauty Inside Out: Examining Beauty Product Use Among Diverse Women and Femme-Identifying Individuals in Northern Manhattan and South Bronx Through an Environmental Justice Framework

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

18-Jan-2023