Sustainable plastics from agricultural waste

ECOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FÉDÉRALE DE LAUSANNE

 

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AN IPHONE CASE PRINTED WITH THE SUSTAINABLE POLYAMIDE MATERIAL.

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CREDIT: LORENZ MANKER/EPFL

In our rapidly industrialized world, the quest for sustainable materials has never been more urgent. Plastics, ubiquitous in daily life, pose significant environmental challenges, primarily due to their fossil fuel origins and problematic disposal.

Now, a study led by Jeremy Luterbacher's team at EPFL unveils a pioneering approach to producing high-performance plastics from renewable resources. The research, published in Nature Sustainability, introduces a novel method for creating polyamides – a class of plastics known for their strength and durability, the most famous of which are nylons – using a sugar core derived from agricultural waste.

The new method leverages a renewable resource, and also achieves this transformation efficiently and with minimal environmental impact.

“Typical, fossil-based plastics need aromatic groups to give rigidity to their plastics – this gives them performance properties like hardness, strength and high temperature resistance,” says Luterbacher. “Here, we get similar results but use a sugar structure, which is ubiquitous in nature and generally completely non-toxic, to provide rigidity and performance properties.”

Lorenz Manker, the study’s lead-author, and his colleagues developed a catalyst-free process to convert dimethyl glyoxylate xylose, a stabilized carbohydrate made directly from biomass such as wood or corn cobs, into high-quality polyamides. The process achieves an impressive atom efficiency of 97%, meaning almost all the starting material is used in the final product, which drastically reduces waste.

The bio-based polyamides exhibit properties that can compete with their fossil counterparts, offering a promising alternative for various applications. What's more, the materials demonstrated significant resilience through multiple cycles of mechanical recycling, maintaining their integrity and performance, which is a crucial factor for managing the lifecycle of sustainable materials.

The potential applications for these innovative polyamides are vast, ranging from automotive parts to consumer goods, all with a significantly reduced carbon footprint. The team's techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment suggest these materials could be competitively priced against traditional polyamides including nylons (e.g. nylon 66), with a global warming potential reduction of up to 75%.

The production of these materials is now being scaled up by the EPFL spin-off, Bloom Biorenewables, in an effort to get them into the market.

Other contributors

• University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland
• EPFL Institute of Materials
• EPFL Valais-Wallis
• The University of Manchester

Reference

Lorenz P. Manker, Maxime A. Hedou, Clement Broggi, Marie J. Jones, Kristoffer Kortsen, Kalaiyarasi Puvanenthiran, Yildiz Kupper, Holger Frauenrath, François Marechal, Veronique Michaud, Roger Marti, Michael P. Shaver, Jeremy S. Luterbacher. Performance polyamides built on a sustainable carbohydrate core. Nature Sustainability 13 March 2024. DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01298-7

The dyed and natural polyamide fibers after extrusion

Highly precise extrusion of 3D-printing filament

The polyamide is tough and flexible allowing it to be twisted and plied without breaking

CREDIT

Lorenz Manker/EPFL

JOURNAL

Nature Sustainability

DOI

10.1038/s41893-024-01298-7 

ARTICLE TITLE

Performance polyamides built on a sustainable carbohydrate core

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

13-Mar-2024

KIMM finds solution to medical waste problem, which has become a major national issue

Through business support program, KIMM develops medical waste sterilization technology that can be applied to hospitals.

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

 

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MEDICAL WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM CAPABLE OF PROCESSING 100 KILOGRAMS OF MEDICAL WASTE PER HOUR, DEMONSTRATED AT THE CHUNGNAM NATIONAL UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

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CREDIT: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY AND MATERIALS (KIMM)

A medical waste treatment system, which is capable of 99.9999 percent sterilization by using high-temperature and high-pressure steam, has been developed for the first time in the country.

The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (President Seog-Hyeon Ryu, hereinafter referred to as KIMM), an institute under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Science and ICT, has succeeded in developing an on-site-disposal type medical waste sterilization system that can help to resolve the problem caused by medical waste, which has become a national and social issue as the volume of medical waste continues to increase every year. This project was launched as a basic business support program of the KIMM and was expanded into a demonstration project of Daejeon Metropolitan City. Then, in collaboration with VITALS Co., Ltd., a technology transfer corporation, the medical waste treatment system was developed as a finished product capable of processing more than 100 kilograms of medical waste per hour, and was demonstrated at the Chungnam National University Hospital.

Moreover, the installation and use of this product have been approved by the Geumgang Basin Environmental Office of the Ministry of Environment. All certification-related work for the installation and operation of this product at the Chungnam National University Hospital has been completed, including the passage of an installation test for efficiency and stability conducted by the Korea Testing Laboratory.

Through collaboration with VITALS Co., Ltd., a corporation specializing in inhalation toxicity systems, the research team led by Principal Researcher Bangwoo Han of the Department of Urban Environment Research of the KIMM’s Eco-Friendly Energy Research Division developed a high-temperature, high-pressure steam sterilization-type medical waste treatment system by using a high-temperature antimicrobial technology capable of processing biologically hazardous substances such as virus and bacteria with high efficiency. After pulverizing medical waste into small pieces so that high-temperature steam can penetrate deep into the interior of the medical waste, steam was then compressed in order to raise the boiling point of the saturated steam to over 100 degrees Celsius, thereby further improving the sterilization effect of the steam.

Meanwhile, in the case of the high-pressure steam sterilization method, it is vitally important to allow the airtight, high-temperature and high-pressure steam to penetrate deep into the medical waste. Therefore, the research team aimed to improve the sterilization effect of medical waste by increasing the contact efficiency between the pulverized medical waste and the aerosolized steam.

By using this technology, the research team succeeded in processing medical waste at a temperature of 138 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes or at 145 degrees Celsius for more than five (5) minutes, which is the world’s highest level. By doing so, the research team achieved a sterilization performance of 99.9999 percent targeting biological indicator bacteria at five (5) different locations within the sterilization chamber. This technology received certification as an NET (New Excellent Technology) in 2023.

Until now, medical waste has been sterilized by heating the exposed moisture using microwaves. However, this method requires caution because workers are likely to be exposed to electromagnetic waves and the entrance of foreign substances such as metals may lead to accidents.

In Korea, medical waste is mostly processed at exclusive medical waste incinerators and must be discharged in strict isolation from general waste. Hence, professional efforts are required to prevent the risk of infection during the transportation and incineration of medical waste, which requires a loss of cost and manpower.

If medical waste is processed directly at hospitals and converted into general waste by applying the newly developed technology, this can help to eliminate the risk of infection during the loading and transportation processes and significantly reduce waste disposal costs. By processing 30 percent of medical waste generated annually, hospitals can save costs worth KRW 71.8 billion. Moreover, it can significantly contribute to the ESG (environmental, social, and governance) management of hospitals by reducing the amount of incinerated waste and shortening the transportation distance of medical waste.

[*Allbaro System (statistical data from 2021): Unit cost of treatment for each type of waste for the calculation of performance guarantee insurance money for abandoned wastes (Ministry of Environment Public Notification No. 2021-259, amended on December 3, 2021). Amount of medical waste generated on an annual basis: 217,915 tons; Medical waste: KRW 1,397 per ton; General waste from business sites subject to incineration: KRW 299 per ton]

As the size and structure of the installation space varies for each hospital, installing a standardized commercial equipment can be a challenge. However, during the demonstration process at the Chungnam National University Hospital, the new system was developed in a way that allows the size and arrangement thereof to be easily adjusted depending on the installation site. Therefore, it can be highly advantageous in terms of on-site applicability.

Principal Researcher Bangwoo Han of the KIMM was quoted as saying, “The high-temperature, high-pressure steam sterilization technology for medical waste involves the eradication of almost all infectious bacteria in a completely sealed environment. Therefore, close cooperation with participating companies that have the capacity to develop airtight chamber technology is very important in materializing this technology.” He added, “We will make all-out efforts to expand this technology to the sterilization treatment of infected animal carcasses in the future.”

 

President Seog-Hyeon Ryu of the KIMM was quoted as saying, “The latest research outcome is significantly meaningful in that it shows the important role played by government-contributed research institutes in resolving national challenges. The latest technology, which has been developed through the KIMM’s business support program, has been expanded to a demonstration project through cooperation among the industry, academia, research institutes, and the government of Daejeon Metropolitan City.” President Ryu added, “We will continue to proactively support these regional projects and strive to develop technologies that contribute to the health and safety of the public.”

Waste that has been pulverized and sterilized

Medical waste treatment system capable of processing 100 kilograms of medical waste per hour, demonstrated at the Chungnam National University Hospital

CREDIT

Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM)

Meanwhile, this research was conducted with the support of the project for the “development of ultra-high performance infectious waste treatment system capable of eliminating 99.9999 percent of viruses in response to the post-coronavirus era,” one of the basic business support programs of the KIMM, as well as the project for the “demonstration and development of a safety design convergence-type high-pressure steam sterilization system for on-site treatment of medical waste,” part of Daejeon Metropolitan City’s “Daejeon-type New Convergence Industry Creation Special Zone Technology Demonstration Project.”

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The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) is a non-profit government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT. Since its foundation in 1976, KIMM is contributing to economic growth of the nation by performing R&D on key technologies in machinery and materials, conducting reliability test evaluation, and commercializing the developed products and technologies.

 

This research was conducted with the support of the project for the “development of ultra-high performance infectious waste treatment system capable of eliminating 99.9999 percent of viruses in response to the post-coronavirus era,” one of the basic business support programs of the KIMM, as well as the project for the “demonstration and development of a safety design convergence-type high-pressure steam sterilization system for on-site treatment of medical waste,” part of Daejeon Metropolitan City’s “Daejeon-type New Convergence Industry Creation Special Zone Technology Demonstration Project.”

“Find pearls in the soil” unveiling the magic of hydrogen production from municipal sewage

Peer-Reviewed Publication

POHANG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (POSTECH)

 

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SCHEMATIC DEPICTING THE CATALYTIC REACTION DEVISED BY THE TEAM, CATALYZING THE UREA OXIDATION REACTION

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CREDIT: POSTECH

Professor Kangwoo Cho and PhD candidate Jiseon Kim from the Division of Environmental Science & Engineering at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) collaborated with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) to devise a novel catalyst aimed at enhancing the efficiency of reactions using contaminated municipal sewage to produce hydrogen—a green energy source. Their research recently featured in the international journal Advanced Functional Materials.

 

With the growing environmental concerns of pollution associated with fossil fuel, hydrogen has garnered increased interest. Water electrolysis technology is a sustainable process that leverages Earth's abundant water to produce hydrogen. However, the concurrent oxygen evolution reaction during hydrogen production is notably slow, resulting in a considerably low energy conversion efficiency.

 

Lately, the academic community has been tackling this issue by integrating the urea oxidation reaction with the hydrogen generation reaction. Urea, a pollutant found in urine, releases a significant amount of energy during its oxidation process, offering a potential means to enhance both the efficiency of hydrogen generation and the purification of toilet wastewater. Ultimately, it is necessary to find a catalyst that can effectively drive the urea oxidation reaction, thereby amplifying the efficiency of both hydrogen generation and wastewater treatment.

 

In pursuit of increased efficiency in the urea oxidation reaction, the team created a catalyst known as nickel-iron-oxalate (O-NFF). This catalyst combines iron (Fe) and oxalate on nickel (Ni) metal, resulting in an expansive surface area characterized by nanometer-sized particles in fragment form. This unique property enables the catalyst to adsorb more reactants, facilitating an accelerated urea oxidation reaction.

 

In experiments, the O-NFF catalyst devised by the team successfully lowered the voltage required for hydrogen generation to 1.47 V RHE (at 0.5 A/cm2) and exhibited a high reaction rate even when tested in a mixed solution of potassium hydroxide (1 M) and urea (0.33 M) with a Tafel slope of 12.1 mV/dec. The researchers further validated the catalyst's efficacy by confirming its promotion of the urea oxidation reaction through photoelectron/X-ray absorption spectroscopy using a radiation photo accelerator.

 

Professor Kangwoo Cho who led the research stated, "We have developed a catalyst capable of purifying municipal sewage while simultaneously enhancing the efficiency of hydrogen production, a green energy source.” He added, “We anticipate that O-NFF catalysts, synthesized from metals and organics, will contribute to the improved efficiency of industrial electrolysis hydrogen production."

 

The research was sponsored by the Mid-Career Researcher Program and the Hydrogen Source Technology Development Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea, and the National Supercomputing Center.

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JOURNAL

Advanced Functional Materials

DOI

10.1002/adfm.202315625 

ARTICLE TITLE

Accessible Ni-Fe-Oxalate Framework for Electrochemical Urea Oxidation with Radically Enhanced Kinetics

 

It’s in the blood: donor diets can trigger allergic reactions in blood recipients

Researchers shed light on the potential connection between allergic transfusion reactions and food allergies

SHINSHU UNIVERSITY

 

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BLOOD TRANSFUSION, WHICH ARE USUALLY LIFE-SAVING PROCEDURES, CAN BECOME LIFE-THREATENING IF THEY TRIGGER AN ALLERGIC REACTION. HOWEVER, THE MECHANISMS BEHIND ALLERGIC TRANSFUSION REACTIONS ARE NOT WELL KNOWN. THIS STUDY REVEALED THAT SUCH ALLERGIC REACTIONS MIGHT BE RELATED TO FOOD ALLERGIES, TRIGGERED BY THE PRESENCE OF RELEVANT ALLERGENS IN THE DONATED BLOOD BASED ON THE FOOD THE DONOR CONSUMED PRIOR TO DONATION.

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CREDIT: JESSIE PEARL FROM OPENVERSE (HTTPS://OPENVERSE.ORG/IMAGE/B1966252-8B12-439D-B964-97EA2A79114A)

Allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs), a potentially life-threatening side effect of blood transfusions with unclear mechanisms, may be linked to food allergies in pediatric patients as per a recent study by scientists from Japan. They found that ATRs may be triggered by the presence of allergens in the donor’s blood, influenced by their pre-donation diet. These findings could pave the way for safer blood transfusions through the development of preventive measures and countermeasures for ATRs.

Blood transfusions are often life-saving procedures in various medical settings. They are required not only after severe blood loss due to surgery or trauma but also as standard treatment for certain blood disorders like anemia and sickle cell disease. However, blood transfusions can have serious side effects, with allergic transfusion reactions (ATRs) being particularly prevalent among children. Although scientists believe ATRs are caused by immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated type 1 allergy (or “immediate hypersensitivity”), the responsible allergens are not always known.

Against this backdrop, a research team composed of Dr. Ryu Yanagisawa of Shinshu University Hospital, Japan, alongside Dr. Minoru Tozuka and Dr. Yasunori Ito from Nagano Children's Hospital, Japan, set out to find more answers. In their latest study, published online in the journal Allergy on January 11, 2024, the researchers focused their attention on what might have appeared to be an unlikely suspect. Dr. Yanagisawa, who led the study at the University’s Division of Blood Transfusion, explains: “In our previous study, we found that pediatric patients with food allergies were characteristically more prone to ATRs. Considering that food allergies are also more prevalent in children, we decided to investigate whether the food the donor ate before giving blood could be associated with the development of ATRs in children with food allergies.”

Between May 2022 and December 2023, the researchers collected blood samples from over 100 pediatric patients with diagnosed food allergies toward either eggs, wheat, or milk. They also collected blood from two healthy donors before and after substantial ingestion of these food products and extracted the serum. Shortly after collecting blood from each allergic patient, the researchers conducted basophil activation tests (BATs) by exposing the sample to the corresponding sera. As the name implies, these tests assess the activation of basophils, a particular type of white blood cell that is strongly involved in allergic reactions.

Interestingly, in patients with egg allergy, BAT levels were significantly higher when the blood was exposed to the serum of donors who had ingested eggs. Moreover, serum obtained from blood donor samples collected four hours after egg ingestion resulted in markedly higher BAT levels than those collected two hours after egg ingestion. In contrast, the results for milk and wheat were more varied, with BAT levels only being elevated after exposure to the serum of one of the two donors.

To gain deeper insights and lend more weight to the results, the researchers decided to run BAT tests with sera from sixteen additional donors. “Although some differences were observed among donors, blood samples obtained after egg ingestion generally activated basophils in cases of egg allergy with high egg white­-specific IgE levels,” comments Dr. Yanagisawa. “Similarly, elevated BAT levels in patients with milk and wheat allergies were also associated with allergen­-specific IgE levels.”

Overall, the evidence obtained through this study strongly suggests that ATRs could be triggered by the food consumed by donors prior to a blood donation. Although further analyses and experiments will be needed to confirm this with more certainty, these efforts constitute a necessary first step towards elucidating the mechanisms underlying ATRs. “In future, it could be possible to predict in advance who is likely to suffer from an ATR. Given enough time, preventive measures and countermeasures to ATRs could be developed, leading to safer blood transfusions,” concludes Dr. Yanagisawa.

We, too, hope this study puts scientists on the right path toward cracking the mysteries of ATRs to improve the outcome of blood transfusions.

 

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About Shinshu University

Shinshu University is a national university founded in 1949 and located nestling under the Japanese Alps in Nagano known for its stunning natural landscapes. Our motto, "Powered by Nature - strengthening our network with society and applying nature to create innovative solutions for a better tomorrow" reflects the mission of fostering promising creative professionals and deepening the collaborative relationship with local communities, which leads to our contribution to regional development by innovation in various fields. We’re working on providing solutions for building a sustainable society through interdisciplinary research fields: material science (carbon, fiber and composites), biomedical science (for intractable diseases and preventive medicine) and mountain science, and aiming to boost research and innovation capability through collaborative projects with distinguished researchers from the world. For more information visit https://www.shinshu-u.ac.jp/english/ or follow us on X (Twitter) @ShinshuUni for our latest news.

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JOURNAL

Allergy

DOI

10.1111/all.16013 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Experimental study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

People

ARTICLE TITLE

Activation of basophils in children with food allergies by blood from donors ingesting the corresponding food

 

UNIST researchers uncover revolutionary phenomenon in liquid crystals

ULSAN NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY(UNIST)

 

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FROM LEFT ARE SUNG-JO KIM, PROFESSOR JOONWOO JEONG, AND RESEARCH PROFESSOR EUJIN UM.JPG

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CREDIT: UNIST

A research team, affiliated with UNIST, has unveiled for the first time a new principle of motion in the microworld, where objects can move in a directed manner simply by changing their sizes periodically within a substance known as liquid crystal. Led by Professor Jonwoo Jeong and his research team in the Department of Physics at UNIST, this discovery is poised to have far-reaching implications across various research fields, including the potential development of miniature robots in the future.

In their research, the team observed that air bubbles within the liquid crystal could move in one direction by altering their sizes periodically, contrary to the symmetrical growth or contraction typically seen in air bubbles in other mediums. By introducing air bubbles, comparable in size to a human hair, into the liquid crystal and manipulating the pressure, the researchers were able to demonstrate this extraordinary phenomenon.

The key to this phenomenon lies in the creation of phase defects within the liquid crystal structure next to the air bubbles. These defects disrupt the symmetrical nature of the bubbles, enabling them to experience a unidirectional force despite their symmetrical shape. As the air bubbles fluctuate in size, pushing and pulling the surrounding liquid crystal, they are propelled in a consistent direction, defying conventional laws of physics.

Sung-Jo Kim, the first author of the study, remarked, “This groundbreaking observation showcases the ability of symmetrical objects to exhibit directed motion through symmetrical movements, a phenomenon previously unseen.” He further highlighted the potential applicability of this principle to a wide range of complex fluids beyond liquid crystals.

Professor Jeong commented, “This intriguing result underscores the significance of symmetry breaking in both time and space in driving motion at the microscopic level. Moreover, it holds promise for advancing research in the development of microscopic robots.”

Their findings have been published in the online version of Nature Communications on February 9, 2024. This research has been supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), the Institute of Basic Science (IBS), and the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS).

Journal Reference
Sung-Jo Kim, Žiga Kos, Eujin Um, and Joonwoo Jeong, “Symmetrically pulsating bubbles swim in an anisotropic fluid by nematodynamics,” Nat. Commun., (2024).

Pulsating bubbles dispersed in NLC.

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JOURNAL

Nature Communications

ARTICLE TITLE

Symmetrically pulsating bubbles swim in an anisotropic fluid by nematodynamics

 

Next-gen satellite navigation: unlocking ultra-precision with cutting-edge tracking tech

AEROSPACE INFORMATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

 

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DETAILED TRACKING STRUCTURE OF DMT

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CREDIT: SATELLITE NAVIGATION

Researchers have developed a groundbreaking Dual-assisted Multi-component Tracking (DMT) technique that significantly enhances the precision of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). This innovation promises to revolutionize satellite navigation by leveraging wideband multiplexed signals for improved accuracy.

The evolution of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) has led to the adoption of dual-frequency multiplexing techniques, which combine multiple signals into a single wideband multiplexed signal (WMS). Despite their potential for improving GNSS ranging precision, existing tracking methods have not fully capitalized on this advantage.

On a recently published study (DOI: 10.1186/s43020-023-00125-2) in the journal Satellite Navigation, researchers from Tsinghua University have introduced a transformative Dual-assisted Multi-component Tracking (DMT) method, poised to redefine satellite navigation accuracy. By innovatively employing wideband multiplexed signals, the DMT technique leverages the full spectrum of GNSS signals more effectively than ever before.

Traditional GNSS tracking methods have struggled to harness the full potential of dual-frequency multiplexed signals, primarily used to improve signal robustness and accuracy. The DMT technique, developed by researchers at Tsinghua University, marks a significant advancement for WMS high-precision tracking by developing a comprehensive analysis method that extends the Root Mean Square Bandwidth (RMSB). This approach takes full advantage of the spectrum separation and multi-component characteristics inherent in WMS, enabling more efficient use of signal components for tracking. By employing a dual-assisted structure, the DMT method enhances the tracking accuracy of both lower and upper sub-band components, leading to significant improvements in signal processing. This includes reduced tracking jitters and increased ranging precision, essential for applications demanding high reliability and exactitude in positioning, navigation, and timing.

Dr. Zheng Yao, the study's lead author from Tsinghua University, states, "Our Dual-assisted Multi-component Tracking technique represents a significant leap forward in satellite navigation technology. By fully utilizing the components of WMS, we achieve unparalleled tracking and ranging precision."

The DMT technique revolutionizes GNSS accuracy, harnessing wideband signals to minimize tracking jitter and elevate ranging precision. This leap in satellite navigation benefits industries needing dependable, precise positioning and timing, setting a new standard for technological and industrial applications reliant on GNSS.

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References

DOI

10.1186/s43020-023-00125-2

Original Source URL

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43020-023-00125-2

Funding information

This work is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, under Grant No. 42274018, and National Key Research and Development Program of China under Grant No. 2021YFA0716600.

About Satellite Navigation

Satellite Navigation (E-ISSN: 2662-1363; ISSN: 2662-9291) is the official journal of Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The aims is to report innovative ideas, new results or progress on the theoretical techniques and applications of satellite navigation. The journal welcomes original articles, reviews and commentaries.

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JOURNAL

Satellite Navigation

DOI

10.1186/s43020-023-00125-2 

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Not applicable

ARTICLE TITLE

Dual-assisted high-precision tracking technique for wideband multiplexed signals in new generation GNSS

 

Satellites for quantum communications

Quantum cryptography across large distances

Peer-Reviewed Publication

TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MUNICH (TUM)

How can it be ensured that data transmitted through the internet can be read only by the intended recipient? At present our data are encrypted with mathematical methods that rely on the idea that the factorization of large numbers is a difficult task. With the increasing power of quantum computers, however, these mathematical codes will probably no longer be secure in the future.

Encryption by means of physical laws

Tobias Vogl, a professor of Quantum Communication Systems Engineering, is working on an encryption process that relies on principles of physics. “Security will be based on the information being encoded into individual light particles and then transmitted. The laws of physics do not permit this information to be extracted or copied. When the information is intercepted, the light particles change their characteristics. Because we can measure these state changes, any attempt to intercept the transmitted data will be recognized immediately, regardless of future advances in technology,” says Tobias Vogl.

The big challenge in so-called quantum cryptography lies in the transmission of data over long distances. In classical communications, information is encoded in many light particles and transmitted through optical fibers. However, the information in a single particle cannot be copied. As a result, the light signal cannot be repeatedly amplified, as with current optical fiber transmissions. This limits the transmission distance for the information to a few hundred kilometers.

To send information to other cities or continents, the structure of the atmosphere will be used. At altitudes higher than around 10 kilometers, the atmosphere is so thin that light is neither scattered nor absorbed. This will make it possible to use satellites in order to extend quantum communications over longer distances.

Satellites for quantum communications

As part of the QUICK³ mission, Tobias Vogl and his team are developing an entire system, including all of the components needed to build a satellite for quantum communications. In a first step, the team tested each of the satellite components. The next step will be to try out the entire system in space. The researchers will investigate whether the technology can withstand outer space conditions and how the individual system components interact. The satellite launch is scheduled for 2025. To create an overarching network for quantum communications, however, hundreds or perhaps thousands of satellites will be needed.

Hybrid network for encryption

The concept does not necessarily require all information to be transmitted using this method, which is highly complex and costly. It is conceivable that a hybrid network could be implemented in which data can be encrypted either physically or mathematically. Antonia Wachter-Zeh, a professor of Coding and Cryptography, is working to develop algorithms sufficiently complex that not even quantum computers can solve them. In the future it will still be enough to encrypt most information using mathematical algorithms. Quantum cryptography will be an option only for documents requiring special protection, for example in communications between banks.

Publication:

Najme Ahmadi, Sven Schwertfeger, Philipp Werner, Lukas Wiese, Joseph Lester, Elisa Da Ros, Josefine Krause, Sebastian Ritter, Mostafa Abasifard, Chanaprom Cholsuk, Ria G. Krämer, Simone Atzeni, Mustafa Gündoğan, Subash Sachidananda, Daniel Pardo, Stefan Nolte, Alexander Lohrmann, Alexander Ling, Julian Bartholomäus, Giacomo Corrielli, Markus Krutzik, Tobias Vogl. "QUICK3 - Design of a Satellite-Based Quantum Light Source for Quantum Communication and Extended Physical Theory Tests in Space“. Adv. Quantum Technol. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1002/qute.202300343

More information:

• Tobias Vogl was appointed as a professor of quantum communication system engineering at the School of Computation, Information and Technology in July 2023. His research focuses on optical quantum technologies in crystalline solids. In particular, he investigates fluorescent defects in the 2D material hexagonal boron nitride, which are combined with resonant nanostructures and photonic circuits for use as components for quantum information processing and in quantum networks.
• The QUICK³ mission is an international research project involving researchers from the Friedrich Schiller University Jena, the Humboldt University of Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, Ferdinand-Braun-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik, the Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies in Italy and the National University of Singapore

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JOURNAL

Advanced Quantum Technologies

DOI

10.1002/qute.202300343 

ARTICLE TITLE

QUICK3 - Design of a Satellite-Based Quantum Light Source for Quantum Communication and Extended Physical Theory Tests in Space

Enhancing crop productivity analysis: a novel approach using SIF and PRI for accurate GPP estimation in rice canopies

NANJING AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE

 

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 MUTIL-ANGLE HYPERSPECTRAL SOLAR AND REFLECTED IRRADIANCE MEASURED BY UPPER AND LOWER SPECTROMETER SENSOR AT THE HEIGHT OF 1.5 M, RESPECTIVELY; THE LOWER SPECTROMETER SENSOR HAS A FIXED ROTATION ANGLE BOTH HORIZONTALLY AND VERTICALLY.

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CREDIT: PLANT PHENOMICS

Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) and the photochemical reflectance index (PRI) have emerged as significant tools in assessing the photosynthetic and carbon sequestration capacities of terrestrial vegetation, particularly for estimating gross primary productivity (GPP). However, the relationship between SIF, PRI, and GPP encounters challenges due to large temporal and spatial variabilities as well as the influence of various observational factors such as canopy structure and physiological state. Despite the potential of multi-angle observations and the Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function (BRDF) model to mitigate these issues by accounting for canopy anisotropy and separating physiological signals from environmental influences, the application of these approaches to SIF and PRI for GPP estimation remains underexplored.

In February 2024, Plant Phenomics published a research article entitled by “Establishing a Gross Primary Productivity Model by SIF and PRI on the Rice Canopy”.

In this study, researchers employed a multi-angle spectrometer alongside an eddy covariance (EC) system to enhance the precision of GPP estimation within a subtropical rice field in China, through the utilization of a PRI-boosting SIF-GPP model. They innovatively applied a semi-empirical kernel-driven BRDF model combined with a two-leaf model for an in-depth analysis of both hotspot and total canopy PRI and SIF (PRIhs/SIFhs and PRItot/SIFtot, respectively). This dual-model approach facilitated the construction of hotspot and total canopy PRI+SIF-GPP models, whose efficacy was rigorously tested against a validation dataset. The research findings revealed significant correlations between the PRI/SIF indexes and GPP across various timescales, establishing robust linear models for GPP estimation. Notably, the study uncovered the dynamic responses of PRI/SIF to environmental conditions, quantifying their accuracy through R2, RMSE, and RPD metrics across different models.

The exploration into the temporal dynamics of GPP, LAI, and PAR highlighted the crucial role of clear vs. cloudy weather conditions in determining the strength of these correlations. Particularly, the daily and half-hourly analysis showed that total canopy measures (SIFtot and PRItot) were more effective in mirroring GPP variations than their hotspot counterparts (SIFhs and PRIhs), demonstrating a stronger alignment with GPP's daily and intraday fluctuations. This alignment was further enhanced by distinguishing between shaded and sunlit leaves within the two-leaf model, which significantly improved the correlation between SIF/PRI and GPP, especially for PRI.

The study also examined  the impact of environmental stresses, such as PAR, temperature (T), and vapor pressure deficit (VPD), on PRI and SIF performance, revealing that these factors disproportionately affect the estimation capabilities of PRI and SIF. Through detailed modeling and validation efforts, the researchers showed that combining PRI and SIF for GPP estimation substantially outperformed individual index models. This superiority was particularly pronounced after integrating the distinction between shaded and sunlit leaves, marking the PRItot+SIFtot-GPP model as the most effective for GPP estimation.

In conclusion, this study not only advances our understanding of the complex interactions between environmental factors, SIF, PRI, and GPP but also demonstrates the superior estimation capabilities of combined PRI and SIF models, particularly when incorporating nuanced distinctions between canopy components. This work paves the way for more accurate, non-invasive tracking of crop photosynthesis and carbon sequestration processes, offering valuable insights for future research and practical applications in agriculture and climate change mitigation.

###

References

Authors

Zhanhao  Zhang1, Jianmao  Guo1,2*, Shihui  Han1, Shuyuan  Jin1,  and Lei  Zhang3

Affiliations

1School of Ecology and Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing  210044,  China. 

2Jiangsu  Key  Laboratory  of  Agricultural  Meteorology,  Nanjing  210044,  China. 

3National Meteorological Centre, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing 100081, China.

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JOURNAL

Plant Phenomics

DOI

10.34133/plantphenomics.0144 

METHOD OF RESEARCH

Experimental study

SUBJECT OF RESEARCH

Not applicable

ARTICLE TITLE

Establishing a Gross Primary Productivity Model by SIF and PRI on the Rice Canopy

 

A coral superhighway in the Indian Ocean

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

 

IMAGE: 

MAP OF THE SOUTHWEST INDIAN OCEAN, WITH RED LINES CONNECTING ALDABRA ATOLL, SEYCHELLES, TO SIMULATED DOWNSTREAM CORAL LARVAL DESTINATIONS, PRIMARILY IN EAST AFRICA. SOLID WHITE ARROWS SHOW MAJOR CURRENT SYSTEMS, DOTTED WHITE ARROWS SHOW MINOR OR TRANSIENT CURRENTS. OUR STUDY SUGGESTS THAT STRONG CONNECTIVITY WITHIN SEYCHELLES IS ESTABLISHED CLOCKWISE, POTENTIALLY TRAVELING BETWEEN THE INNER ISLANDS AND REMOTE ALDABRA GROUP VIA REEFS IN EAST AFRICA, AND CENTRALLY LOCATED REEFS WITHIN SEYCHELLES. CREDIT: DR NOAM VOGT-VINCENT

 

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CREDIT: DR NOAM VOGT-VINCENT

Despite being scattered across more than a million square kilometres, new research has revealed that remote coral reefs across the Seychelles are closely related. Using genetic analyses and oceanographic modelling, researchers at Oxford University demonstrated for the first time that a network of ocean currents scatter significant numbers of larvae between these distant islands, acting as a ‘coral superhighway.’ These results are published today in Scientific Reports.

Dr April Burt (Department of Biology, University of Oxford, and Seychelles Islands Foundation), lead author of the study, said: ‘This discovery is very important because a key factor in coral reef recovery is larval supply. Although corals have declined alarmingly across the world due to climate change and a number of other factors, actions can be taken at local and national scale to improve reef health and resilience. These actions can be more effective when we better understand the connectivity between coral reefs by, for instance, prioritising conservation efforts around coral reefs that act as major larval sources to support regional reef resilience.’

The researchers collaborated with a wide range of coral reef management organisations and the Seychelles government to collect coral samples from 19 different reef sites. A comprehensive genetic analysis revealed recent gene flow between all sample sites - possibly within just a few generations - suggesting that coral larvae may be frequently transferred between different populations. The results also hinted at the existence of a new cryptic species of the common bouldering coral, Porites lutea. 

The genetic analyses were then coupled with oceanographic modelling, simulating the process of larval dispersal. These simulations allowed researchers to visualise the pathways coral larvae take to travel between reefs across the wider region, and determine the relative importance of physical larval dispersal versus other biological processes in setting coral connectivity. 

This revealed that dispersal of coral larvae directly between reefs across the Seychelles is highly plausible. For example, coral larvae spawned at the remote Aldabra atoll could disperse westwards towards the east coast of Africa via the East African Coastal Current. From here, they would then travel north along the coast, with some potentially even reaching the South Equatorial Counter Current, which could bring them eastwards again back towards the Inner Islands of Seychelles. 

While these long-distance dispersal events are possible, it is likely that much of the connectivity between remote islands across the Seychelles may be established through ‘stepping-stone’ dispersal. This suggests that centrally located coral reefs in Seychelles, and possibly East Africa, may play an important role in linking the most remote islands.

Dr Noam Vogt-Vincent (Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, now based at the Hawai’i Institute of Marine Biology) who led the oceanographic modelling, said: ‘This research suggests that the broad agreement between predicted connectivity and observed genetic patterns supports the use of such larval dispersal simulations in reef system management in Seychelles and the wider region. These simulations also allow us to investigate how regular these connectivity patterns are in time, because a regular larval supply will be essential for reef recovery in the face of climate change.’

The modelling data can be visualised in a new app: with just one click you can see how coral larvae from Seychelles potentially reach reefs across the whole region. The researchers suggest that this data could help identify major larval sources to be prioritised for inclusion in marine protected areas or active reef restoration efforts. 

Professor Lindsay Turnbull (Department of Biology, University of Oxford), senior author, said: ‘This study couldn’t come at a more timely moment. The world is once again watching, as El Niño devastates coral reefs throughout the Indian Ocean. Now we know which reefs will be crucial to coral recovery, but we can’t pause in our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and stopping climate change.’

Dr Joanna Smith and Helena Sims (The Nature Conservancy) who support the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan Initiative said:  ‘The WIO coral connectivity study, by illustrating the connectivity of reefs within a network, can be used at national and regional scales in the Western Indian Ocean for Marine Protected Area design and management, as well as directing restoration activities. We look forward to using the results and Coral Connectivity app to inform implementation of the Seychelles Marine Spatial Plan.’

ENDS

A coral reef in Seychelles. Credit: Christophe Mason-Parker

  

Aldabra atoll, the largest coral reef system in Seychelles. Credit: Christophe Mason-Parke

For further information and to request images and interviews, please contact: 

April J Burt: april.burt@biology.ox.ac.uk

Noam Vogt-Vincent: nvogt@hawaii.edu

The study ‘Integration of population genetics with oceanographic models reveals strong connectivity among coral reefs across Seychelles’ will be published in Nature Scientific Reports at 10 am GMT / 6 am ET Tuesday 12 March 2024 at: DOI 10.1038/s41598-024-55459-x

You can view a copy of the study under embargo here (Note this is not to be shared further and is only a proof version).

Images relating to the study that can be used to illustrate articles (if they are credited) are available here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1wS6yKIpOeNQxilhmR8N85PR-tHBvi031?usp=sharing (a word document includes captions and credit details). These are for editorial purposes only and cannot be distributed to third parties.

The University of Oxford
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The Seychelles Islands Foundation

Seychelles Islands Foundation (SIF), is a non-profit charitable organisation that was established as a public trust by the government of Seychelles in 1979. SIF manages and protects the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Aldabra Atoll and the Vallée de Mai and has the President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, as Patron.

https://www.sif.sc/ 

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JOURNAL

Scientific Reports

DOI

10.1038/s41598-024-55459-x 

ARTICLE TITLE

Integration of population genetics with oceanographic models reveals strong connectivity among coral reefs across Seychelles

ARTICLE PUBLICATION DATE

12-Mar-2024