Light is a form of energy produced by a luminous object which occurs as electromagnetic radiation and is closely related to other forms like radio waves, microwaves, gamma rays, infrared, UV and X radiation. The different kinds of radiation can be classified by using wavelengths. Only a small section of the entire light spectrum is visible to the human eye, this is between 380 and 780 nm from blue to red. Plants including algae use light for photosynthesis, which is the process of capturing sunlight and converting it into organic molecules and biomass. Not all sunlight can be used, before the light reaches a photosynthetic cell, light can be reflected (bent for example by the water surface) or diffused (dispersed into the surroundings). Light that reaches the plant will then either be reflected, the wavelengths reflected determine the color we observe, or absorbed. ltimately, the amount of light absorbed by a plant determines the amount of light that can be used for photosynthesis. Chlorophyll a (Chl a) is used by algae as their major light harvesting pigment for photosynthesis. Other pigment compounds like Chl b and Chl c, carotenoids, phycoerythrin and phycocyanin are known as accessory pigments. These pigments extend the optical collection window, thereby improving the absorption efficiency and adaptation capabilities regarding the exposure to light (Trees, Clark, Bidigare, Ondrusek, & Mueller, 2000). Phycoerythrin is an accessory pigment also responsible for photosynthesis mainly found in cyanobacteria, red algae and cryptophytes (e.g. Rhodomonas). Phycocyanin functions cooperatively with chlorophyll in photosynthesis. Specifically, phycocyanin increases the efficiency of chlorophyll's oxygen production under low light conditions. This pigment is mainly found in cyanobacteria. The different pigments each have specific wavelengths at which most light is absorbed, some pigments show a second peak (e.g. chlorophyll-a has a peak around 430-440 nm and at 665-670 nm). Algal cultures are grown using different types of lighting because of the light and color specific absorption peaks they have. The most common types are fluorescent (TL) and (light emitting diode) LED light. TL-light contains a broad light spectrum, with wavelengths emitted within the visible light 400-700 nm spectrum as well as small amounts of UVB (280-315 nm), UVA (315-400 nm) and ultraviolet (>700 nm) (Brown, 2021). Within this light spectrum not all wavelengths are (efficiently) used by algae. The companies Zeeschelp and Roem van Yerseke are aiming to replace their TL-light system to LED light. LED lights can be installed to have a specific wavelength when corresponding to the pigments in algae to ensure efficient absorption in the appropriate wavelengths only. In addition, due to providing light in the used wavelength, LED is more efficient and effective regarding growth in biomass, cell density and lipid production, less energy is needed to obtain comparable growth reached using TL-light. Wavelength, as well as the light intensity will influence growth rate, density of a culture and biochemical content (ratio protein-lipids and fatty acid composition) of algae. Aim of this study is to provide the optimal wavelength(s) and light intensity for a selection of algal species that are currently being cultured at both companies. For 8 species (Chaetoceros calcitrans, Pavlova lutheri, Rhodomonas baltica, Isochrysis galbana, Chaetoceros neogracilis, Skeletonema costatum, Skeletonema marinoi, Thalassiosira weissflogii) we have performed spectrophotometric measurements to identify the absorption spectrum of each of these algal species. In order to give insight in the wavelength(s) that will be best absorbed. In addition, the results of a short literature review focused on the effects of light wavelengths and intensity on algal growth rate and production is also included in this report.
DOCUMENT
Momenteel is in het Fries Museum in Leeuwarden de expositie ‘Veenweide Atelier: ontwerpen voor een gezonken moeras’ te zien. De expositie toont onder meer een zijden én een linnendoek die met pigmentproducerende bacteriën zijn gekleurd door Jeroen Siebring, senior onderzoeker binnen het lectoraat Bioconversion & Fermentation Technology, in samenwerking met Ioana Man, Design Lead bij Faber Futures.
LINK
Voltaire wrote of the Frenchwoman Gabrielle Emilie Le Tonnelier that she was a great man, with only one fault, namely that she was a woman! She was a great mathematician, but being a woman she got little credit for that. She was not alone. This is truly a global problem that we must solve together! Being human is one, being female or male is just one quality, just like hair colour, body size or amount of pigment. Let 's transcend genders!
MULTIFILE
The cryptophyte Rhodomonas salina is widely used in aquaculture due to its high nutritional profile. This study aims to investigate the effect of salinity and pH on the growth, phycoerythrin concentrations, and concentrations of non-volatile umami taste active compounds of R. salina, using a design of experiment approach. Rhodomonas salina was cultivated in a flat-panel photobioreactor in turbidostat mode in a range of salinity (20–40 ‰) and pH (6.5–8.5). The strain was able to grow steadily under all conditions, but the optimal productivity of 1.17 g dry weight L−1 day−1 was observed in salinity 30 ‰ and pH 7.5. The phycoerythrin concentration was inversely related to productivity, presenting higher values in conditions that were not optimal for the growth of R. salina, 7% of dry weight at salinity 40 ‰, and pH 8.5. The identification of the umami taste of R. salina was based on the synergistic effect of umami compounds 5′-nucleotides (adenosine 5′-monophosphate, guanosine 5′-monophosphate, inosine 5′-monophosphate) and free amino acids (glutamic and aspartic acids), using the equivalent umami concentration (EUC). The results indicated that an increase in pH induces the accumulation of 5′-nucleotides, resulting in an EUC of 234 mg MSG g−1 at a salinity of 40 and pH 8.5. The EUC values that were observed in R. salina were higher compared to other aquatic animals, a fact that makes R. salina promising for further research and application in the food and feed sectors.
DOCUMENT
The worldwide rise of skin cancer incidence rates increases the need to investigate ultraviolet radiation (UVR), as it is one of the main causes of skin cancer. 1 A ’ u to UVR varies depending on different factors such as the location of the individual and shielding effects. In this analysis, we evaluated wearables at different body positions measuring ultraviolet radiation when worn during daily activities at different locations. First, we analyzed which of the body positions provide the most robust measurements. We then devised a new measure, the horizon shielding factor, to evaluate the effect of horizon shielding and explored if high/low horizon shielding factor values coincide with particular geospatial attributes.
DOCUMENT
De markt voor smart materials, een andere naam is dynamische materialen, groeit gestaag. Het Kenniscentrum Design en Technologie van Saxion helpt het midden- en kleinbedrijf met het toepassen van smart materials in producten. Saxion doet dit in het innovatieprogramma „Materialen in Ontwerp?, waarin wordt samengewerkt met de Verenigde Maakindustrie Oost, Industrial Design Centre, ontwerpbureau D 'Andrea en Evers en Syntens. Het innovatie-programma Materialen in Ontwerp staat onder leiding van de Saxion-lectoren Karin van Beurden, lector Product Design, en Ger Brinks, lector Smart Functional Materials en is gericht op het creëren van praktisch toepasbare kennis in door bedrijven aangedragen vragen en onderwerpen. Daartoe organiseert Saxion specifieke workshops en projecten, waarbij het experts, deskundigen en studenten inzet. Het innovatieprogramma wordt mogelijk gemaakt door gelden van RAAK SIA (Regionale Aandacht en Actie voor Kenniscirculatie).
MULTIFILE
This paper presents the results of the research project ‘Going Eco, Going Dutch’ (2015- 2017), which investigated the production, design and branding of fashion textiles made from locally produced hemp fibers in the Netherlands. For fashion labels and designers it is often difficult to scrutinize the production of textile fabrics manufactured in non-European countries due to physical distance and, often, non-transparency. At the same time, many designers and established fashion brands increasingly search for sustainable textiles that could be recycled or upcycled after being used by consumers. For the project ‘Going Eco, Going Dutch’, local textile manufacturers and fashion brands closely collaborated to explore how to develop fashionable textiles made from locally produced hemp – from the very first fiber to the final branding of the fashion product. In addition to the technical insights on the production of hemp, this paper will present and highlight the importance of the visual identity of the textiles, which was created by using Dutch traditional crafts – suggesting that this should be understood in terms of Kristine Harper’s ‘aesthetic sustainability’ (2017) as an essential design strategy. In addition, this paper will reflect on the importance of storytelling by focusing on locality and transparency, and on creating an emotional bond and connection between producer, product and consumer. This paper will argue that this form of ‘emotional durability’ (Chapman, 2005, 2009) is essential to both design and branding strategies. Moreover, this paper will critically reflect on the performance of Dutchness – Dutch national identity – through these locally produced fibers, textiles and fashion products.
MULTIFILE
Background: The substitution of healthcare is a way to control rising healthcare costs. The Primary Care Plus (PC+) intervention of the Dutch ‘Blue Care’ pioneer site aims to achieve this feat by facilitating consultations with medical specialists in the primary care setting. One of the specialties involved is dermatology. This study explores referral decisions following dermatology care in PC+ and the influence of predictive patient and consultation characteristics on this decision. Methods: This retrospective study used clinical data of patients who received dermatology care in PC+ between January 2015 and March 2017. The referral decision following PC+, (i.e., referral back to the general practitioner (GP) or referral to outpatient hospital care) was the primary outcome. Stepwise logistic regression modelling was used to describe variations in the referral decisions following PC+, with patient age and gender, number of PC+ consultations, patient diagnosis and treatment specialist as the predicting factors. Results: A total of 2952 patients visited PC+ for dermatology care. Of those patients with a registered referral, 80.2% (N = 2254) were referred back to the GP, and 19.8% (N = 558) were referred to outpatient hospital care. In the multivariable model, only the treating specialist and patient’s diagnosis independently influenced the referral decisions following PC+. Conclusion: The aim of PC+ is to reduce the number of referrals to outpatient hospital care. According to the results, the treating specialist and patient diagnosis influence referral decisions. Therefore, the results of this study can be used to discuss and improve specialist and patient profiles for PC+ to further optimise the effectiveness of the initiative.
DOCUMENT
Technology has always been a very distinctive feature of human existence. Technology is to humans what nature is to other organisms: our host. Man is nature, but through technology – humans came to stand against nature and its biodiversity; technology is now a global enterprise, advancing on a scale and pace that has never been seen before. The paper argues that this poses a threat not only to the planet and biodiversity but above all to humans themselves. A psychological perspective is chosen, that of the thinking and feeling person, which is contrasted with emerging (smart) technologies. It is concluded that man is not a rational “machine”, but a small-scale storyteller, a provider of meaning, especially emotionally involved with each other. Systems and standardization stand in the way. But as globalized humanity faces the dangers of diminishing (bio- and cultural) diversity, we need the unifying power of technology to restore balance.
MULTIFILE
Inaugural speech of Peter van Assche, professor Architecture & Circular Thinking, deliverd on 12 December 2019. The Architecture & Circular Thinking research group wants to work towards the Arcadian Anthropocene. That is to say that it wants to formulate answers to social questions by using circular thinking in this world’s most beautiful profession, namely designing our space: architecture.
DOCUMENT
