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New Greenhouse Film Could Improve Photosynthetic Efficiency
University of Colorado ( CU ) Boulder engineers and Michigan State University ’ s department of horticulture are working together to develop a new type of greenhouse film that could help solve food , energy , and water security challenges posed by population growth and climate change . The scalable , costeffective material would split sunlight into photosynthetically efficient light and repurpose inefficient infrared light to aid in water purification . “ The new
CU Boulder technology will take the form of a semi-translucent film that splits incoming light and converts the rays from less-desired green wavelengths into more desirable red wavelengths , thus increasing the amount of photosynthetically efficient light for the plant with no additional electricity consumption ,” says Xiaobo Yin , an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and materials science and engineering at CU Boulder . “ The near-infrared wavelengths can help clean brackish wastewater , allowing it to be recirculated in an advanced humidification / dehumidification interface and further reducing the greenhouse ’ s energy footprint ,” says team leader , assistant professor Ronggui Yang . The thin material would be applied directly to the surface of greenhouse panels . The tech will be developed in a four-year research program funded by a US $ 2.45 million grant from the USDA .
— hortidaily . com
Study Uses Olive Mill and Paper Waste as Alternative Soilless Media
A study recently published in Environmental Science and Pollution Research looked at using olive stone and paper waste as substitutes for peat in soilless media for ornamental crop production . The scientists grew marigold , petunia , and matthiola in media made of various ratios of peat and the two alternatives to determine the substrate ’ s physicochemical properties and effects on plant growth . The study indicated that olive stone waste can replace peat in quantities up to 30 per cent for marigolds and petunias and up to 10 per cent for matthiola , while the addition of paper waste onto of the olive stone waste is not recommended . It also suggested further research is needed .
— link . springer . com
Thought for Food Challenge Calls on Youth to Tackle Food Security
The Thought for Food ( TFF ) Challenge once again invites young innovators from around the world to develop new ideas and business concepts to tackle the challenge of sustainably feeding the world ’ s growing population . The competition is open to everyone under the age of 35 , and no pre-existing idea or business is required . From January 15 to May 4 , 2018 , participating teams develop new ideas through an independent online platform that offers training tools such as a design thinking lab and 12-week start-up bootcamp . Teams of three to five participants are formed and led through a series of exercises that help them identify an opportunity and develop an innovative solution . Ten finalist teams then pitch their ideas for the chance to win cash grants from TFF and its partners . The TFF Challenge culminates with the annual TFF Summit , which will be held in summer 2018 . The TFF Challenge was established in 2012 to find new answers to the question : How do we feed nine-plus billion people by 2050 ? Previous entries to the competition have covered key areas such as vertical farming , logistics , breeding , ag tech , open data , aquaculture and livestock , food waste , synthetic biology , new proteins , and appropriate tech for smallholders .
— tffchallenge . com
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