scholarly journals Opportunities and constraints for biochar technology in Australian agriculture: looking beyond carbon sequestration

Soil Research ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 52 (8) ◽  
pp. 739 ◽  
Author(s):  
Balwant Singh ◽  
Lynne M. Macdonald ◽  
Rai S. Kookana ◽  
Lukas van Zwieten ◽  
Greg Butler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Terra Preta ◽  
Value Add ◽  
Novel Applications ◽  
Productivity Gains

The application of biochar technology for soil amendment is largely based on evidence about soil fertility and crop productivity gains made in the Amazonian Black Earth (terra preta). However, the uncertainty of production gains at realistic application rates of biochars and lack of knowledge about other benefits and other concerns may have resulted in poor uptake of biochar technology in Australia so far. In this review, we identify important opportunities as well as challenges in the adoption of biochar technology for broadacre farming and other sectors in Australia. The paper highlights that for biochar technology to be cost-effective and successful, we need to look beyond carbon sequestration and explore other opportunities to value-add to biochar. Therefore, some emerging and novel applications of biochar are identified. We also suggest some priority research areas that need immediate attention in order to realise the full potential of biochar technology in agriculture and other sectors in Australia.

Exploring the Benefits of Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and the Mechanism for Automated 5D BIM Quantification Process in Offsite Modular Construction

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tochukwu Moses ◽  
David Heesom ◽  
David Oloke ◽  
Martin Crouch
Keyword(s):  
Effective Means ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Modular Construction ◽  
Automated Quantification ◽  
Building Information ◽  
Project Risks ◽  
Value Add ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Level 2

The UK Construction Industry through its Government Construction Strategy has recently been mandated to implement Level 2 Building Information Modelling (BIM) on public sector projects. This move, along with other initiatives is key to driving a requirement for 25% cost reduction (establishing the most cost-effective means) on. Other key deliverables within the strategy include reduction in overall project time, early contractor involvement, improved sustainability and enhanced product quality. Collaboration and integrated project delivery is central to the level 2 implementation strategy yet the key protocols or standards relative to cost within BIM processes is not well defined. As offsite construction becomes more prolific within the UK construction sector, this construction approach coupled with BIM, particularly 5D automated quantification process, and early contractor involvement provides significant opportunities for the sector to meet government targets. Early contractor involvement is supported by both the industry and the successive Governments as a credible means to avoid and manage project risks, encourage innovation and value add, making cost and project time predictable, and improving outcomes. The contractor is seen as an expert in construction and could be counter intuitive to exclude such valuable expertise from the pre-construction phase especially with the BIM intent of äóÖbuild it twiceäó», once virtually and once physically. In particular when offsite construction is used, the contractoräó»s construction expertise should be leveraged for the virtual build in BIM-designed projects to ensure a fully streamlined process. Building in a layer of automated costing through 5D BIM will bring about a more robust method of quantification and can help to deliver the 25% reduction in overall cost of a project. Using a literature review and a case study, this paper will look into the benefits of Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) and the impact of 5D BIM on the offsite construction process.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using sustainable resources and their use as antibacterial agents: A review

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumari Jyoti ◽  
Punyasloka Pattnaik ◽  
Tej Singh
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Plant Extracts ◽  
Metallic Nanoparticles ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Metal Species ◽  
Sustainable Resources ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Low Toxicity

Background:: Synthesis of metallic nanoparticles has attracted extensive vitality in numerous research areas such as drug delivery, biomedicine, catalysis etc. where continuous efforts are being made by scientists and engineers to investigate new dimensions for both technological and industrial advancements. Amongst numerous metallic nanoparticles, silver nanoparticle (AgNPs) is a novel metal species with low toxicity, higher stability and significant chemical, physical and biological properties. Methods:: In this, various methods for the fabrication of AgNPs are summarized. Importantly, we concentrated on the role of reducing agents of different plants parts, various working conditions such as AgNO3 concentration; ratio of AgNO3/extract; incubation time; centrifugal conditions, size and shapes. Results:: This study suggested that eco-friendly and non toxic biomolecules present in the extracts (e.g. leaf, stem and root) of plants are used as reducing and capping agents for silver nanoparticles fabrication. This method of fabrication of silver nanoparticles using plants extracts is comparatively cost-effective and simple. A silver salt is simply reduced by biomolecules present in the extracts of these plants. In this review, we have emphasized the synthesis and antibacterial potential of silver nanoparticles using various plant extracts. Conclusion:: Fabrication of silver nanoparticles using plant extracts have advantage over the other physical methods, as it is safe, eco-friendly and simple to use. Plants have huge potential for the fabrication of silver nanoparticles of wide potential of applications with desired shape and size.

scholarly journals Challenges for Evaluation of the Safety of Engineered Nanomaterials

2021 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-7
Author(s):  
Linda J. Johnston ◽  
Norma Gonzalez-Rojano ◽  
Kevin J. Wilkinson ◽  
Baoshan Xing
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Development ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Engineered Nanomaterials ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Toxicological Studies ◽  
Regulatory Guidelines ◽  
Significant Effort ◽  
Safe By Design

Abstract Nanotechnology has developed rapidly in the last two decades with significant effort focused on the development of nano-enabled materials with new or improved properties that offer solutions for current world challenges. The commercialization of products containing engineered nanomaterials (ENM) has progressed much more rapidly than the development of practical approaches to ensure their safe and sustainable use. The lack of adequate detection and characterization techniques and reproducible and validated methods for toxicological studies have been identified as major limitations. The rapid development of ENM of increasing complexity and diversity and concerns over the adequacy of existing regulations also contribute to safety concerns with these materials. The full potential of nanotechnology can only be realized when feasible, cost-effective strategies to ensure a safe-by-design approach, effective risk assessment approaches and appropriate regulatory guidelines are in place.

scholarly journals Exploring Suitable Biochar Application Rates with Compost to Improve Upland Field Environment

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1136
Author(s):  
Se-Won Kang ◽  
Jin-Ju Yun ◽  
Jae-Hyuk Park ◽  
Ju-Sik Cho
Keyword(s):  
Soil Quality ◽  
Chinese Cabbage ◽  
Early Period ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Application Rate ◽  
Control Treatment ◽  
N2o Emissions ◽  
Treatment Area ◽  
Application Rates ◽  
Upland Field

A field experiment was carried out to investigate crop productivity, emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O), and soil quality of an upland field treated with compost and varying rates of biochar (BC) derived from soybean stalks during crop growing periods in a corn and Chinese cabbage rotation system. Compost was supplemented with BC derived from soybean stalks at varying rates of 5, 10, 15, and 20 t ha−1 (BC5, BC10, BC15, and BC20, respectively); the control (BC0) area was untreated. Our results reveal that crop productivity and emissions of CO2 and N2O varied significantly with the biochar application rate. Moreover, irrespective of the biochar application rate, crop productivity was improved after BC application as compared to the control treatment area, by 11.2–29.3% (average 17.0 ± 8.3%) for corn cultivation and 10.3–39.7% (average 27.8 ± 12.7%) for Chinese cabbage cultivation. Peak emissions of CO2 and N2O were mainly observed in the early period of crop cultivation, whereas low CO2 and N2O emissions were determined during the fallow period. Compared to the control area, significant differences were obtained for CO2 emissions produced by the different biochar application rates for both crops. During the two cropping periods, the overall N2O emission was significantly decreased with BC5, BC10, BC15, and BC20 applications as compared to the control, ranging from 11.1 to 13.6%, 8.7 to 15.4%, 23.1 to 26.0%, and 15.0 to 19.6%, respectively (average 16.9% decrease in the corn crop period and 16.3% in the Chinese cabbage crop period). Soil quality results after the final crop harvest show that bulk density, soil organic carbon (SOC), pH, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) were significantly improved by biochar application, as compared to the control. Taken together, our results indicate that compost application supplemented with biochar is potentially an appropriate strategy for achieving high crop productivity and improving soil quality in upland field conditions. In conclusion, appropriate application of biochar with compost has the concomitant advantages of enriching soil quality for long-term sustainable agriculture and reducing the use of inorganic fertilizers.

scholarly journals All-Organic, Low Voltage, Transparent and Compliant Organic Field-Effect Transistor Fabricated by Means of Large-Area, Cost-Effective Techniques

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (19) ◽  
pp. 6656
Author(s):  
Stefano Lai ◽  
Giulia Casula ◽  
Pier Carlo Ricci ◽  
Piero Cosseddu ◽  
Annalisa Bonfiglio
Keyword(s):  
Field Effect ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Field Effect Transistors ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Chemical Vapor ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Parylene C ◽  
Biomedical Sensing ◽  
Novel Applications

The development of electronic devices with enhanced properties of transparency and conformability is of high interest for the development of novel applications in the field of bioelectronics and biomedical sensing. Here, a fabrication process for all organic Organic Field-Effect Transistors (OFETs) by means of large-area, cost-effective techniques such as inkjet printing and chemical vapor deposition is reported. The fabricated device can operate at low voltages (as high as 4 V) with ideal electronic characteristics, including low threshold voltage, relatively high mobility and low subthreshold voltages. The employment of organic materials such as Parylene C, PEDOT:PSS and 6,13-Bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TIPS pentacene) helps to obtain highly transparent transistors, with a relative transmittance exceeding 80%. Interestingly enough, the proposed process can be reliably employed for OFET fabrication over different kind of substrates, ranging from transparent, flexible but relatively thick polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates to transparent, 700-nm-thick, compliant Parylene C films. OFETs fabricated on such sub-micrometrical substrates maintain their functionality after being transferred onto complex surfaces, such as human skin and wearable items. To this aim, the electrical and electromechanical stability of proposed devices will be discussed.

scholarly journals Transparent CoAP Services to IoT Endpoints through ICN Operator Networks

Sensors ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hasan Islam ◽  
Dmitrij Lagutin ◽  
Antti Ylä-Jääski ◽  
Nikos Fotiou ◽  
Andrei Gurtov
Keyword(s):  
Storage Capacity ◽  
Communication Overhead ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Core Network ◽  
Computation Complexity ◽  
State Management ◽  
Iot Devices ◽  
Novel Applications ◽  
And Storage ◽  
The Internet Of Things

The Constrained Application Protocol (CoAP) is a specialized web transfer protocol which is intended to be used for constrained networks and devices. CoAP and its extensions (e.g., CoAP observe and group communication) provide the potential for developing novel applications in the Internet-of-Things (IoT). However, a full-fledged CoAP-based application may require significant computing capability, power, and storage capacity in IoT devices. To address these challenges, we present the design, implementation, and experimentation with the CoAP handler which provides transparent CoAP services through the ICN core network. In addition, we demonstrate how the CoAP traffic over an ICN network can unleash the full potential of the CoAP, shifting both overhead and complexity from the (constrained) endpoints to the ICN network. The experiments prove that the CoAP Handler helps to decrease the required computation complexity, communication overhead, and state management of the CoAP server.

Soybean production potential under crop rotation in the central forest-steppe of Trans-Urals

2021 ◽  
pp. 5-5
Author(s):  
Ю.В. Суркова ◽  
И.Н. Цымбаленко ◽  
С.Д. Гилев
Keyword(s):  
Crop Rotation ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Nitrogen Fertilizers ◽  
Forest Steppe ◽  
Hydrothermal Coefficient ◽  
Soybean Yield ◽  
Soybean Production ◽  
Rotation System ◽  
Favorable Conditions

Представлена комплексная оценка эффективности диверсификации севооборотов, а также способов обработки почвы и влияния азотных удобрений при возделывании сои в условиях засушливого климата центральной лесостепной зоны Зауралья. По результатам исследований, проведённых в 2010–2020 годах в Курганском НИИСХ – филиале УрФАНИЦ УрО РАН, установлено влияние гидротермических условий региона и агротехнических приёмов на формирование урожайности сои. В острозасушливые годы с гидротермическим коэффициентом 0,3–0,6 урожайность сои снижалась наполовину по сравнению с благоприятными по тепло- и влагообеспеченности периодами (ГТК — 1,1–1,2). На фоне удобрений и надёжной системы защиты посевов сои от сорных растений менее затратная поверхностная обработка по урожайности не уступала вспашке. Минеральный азот в дозе N30 на фоне средней обеспеченности почвы подвижным фосфором в острозасушливые годы обеспечил прибавку зерна сои 0,28 т/га, в благоприятные по условиям увлажнения годы прибавка от применения N30 увеличилась до 0,43 т/га. Диверсификация традиционного четырёхпольного зернопарового севооборота путём замены пшеничного поля посевами сои обеспечила повышение продуктивности, улучшение качества продукции и экономических показателей. Рентабельность производства продукции с севооборотной площади в вариантах с ресурсосберегающей поверхностной обработкой выросла до 110% без удобрений и до 117% — на фоне N30 против 49 и 66% в зернопаровом севообороте. В результате многолетних исследований в контрастных погодных условиях установлено, что производство сои в полевом севообороте в центральной лесостепной зоне Зауралья рентабельно даже в острозасушливые годы. При низком уровне урожайности (0,50–0,70 т/га) рентабельность составляет 30–50%. В благоприятные годы ресурсы зауральского климата позволяют получать урожайность сои на уровне 1,40–1,80 т/га. При этом рентабельность повышается до 220%. The report deals with the optimization of a rotation system as well as the effect of tillage and nitrogen fertilizers on soybean productivity under the drought of the central forest-steppe in Trans-Urals. The investigation was conducted at the Kurgan Research Institute of Agriculture in 2010–2020. The aim was to test the effect of tillage, moisture and temperature on soybean yield. Drought (hydrothermal coefficient of 0.3–0.6) reduced soybean productivity by 50% in comparison to favorable conditions (hydrothermal coefficient of 1.1–1.2). Less expensive surface tillage was as effective as plowing under fertilization and weed control. In dry years application of N30 increased grain yield by 0.28 t ha-1 under medium content of soluble P. Under favorable conditions the increase amounted to 0.43 t ha-1. Substitution of wheat with soybean in the conventional four-field crop rotation system resulted in higher crop productivity, yield quality and economic effectiveness. Payback raised up to 110% under surface tillage and no fertilization and 117% — on the background of N30 versus 49 and 66% obtained under fallow and grain crop rotation. Soybean production was cost-effective even under drought. Low soybean yield (0.50–0.70 t ha-1) resulted in profitability of 30–50%. Favorable conditions of the region provided soybean yield of 1.40–1.80 t ha-1, increasing profitability up to 220%.

Green manure: Alternative to carbon sequestration in a Typic Ustipsamment under semiarid conditions

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson Virgilio Piraneque Gambasica ◽  
Sonia Esperanza Aguirre Forero ◽  
Adriano Reis Lucheta
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Sequestration ◽  
Cover Crops ◽  
Green Manure ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Climatic Variability ◽  
Plant Cover ◽  
Caribbean Region ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Semiarid Conditions

Vegetative soil cover mitigates climatic variability and enhances the balance between mineralization and humification processes. Under aerobic conditions, most of the carbon that enters the soil is labile, but a small fraction (1%) is humified and stable, contributing to the soil carbon reserve; therefore, it is important to assess the carbon content captured after green manure cultivation and decomposition. During two consecutive semesters, July to December 2016 and January to June 2017, green manure plots (<em>Zea mays </em>L., <em>Andropogon sorghum </em>subsp.<em> sudanensis </em>and <em>Crotalaria longirostrata</em>) were cultivated individually, in a consortium or amended with palm oil agro-industrial biosolids in a randomized complete block design with 12 treatments. Once decomposed, the different carbon fractions (organic, oxidizable, non-oxidizable, removable and total) were determined. The results showed high total and organic carbon contents under the sorghum treatment, at 30 and 28 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup>, respectively, followed by those under the fallow + biosolid treatment, at 29.8 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup> and 27.5 Mg ha<sup>-1</sup>, respectively. Despite the short experiment duration and the possible contributions of previous management on recalcitrant carbon soil stocks, these findings suggest the importance of maintaining plant cover and utilizing green manure in the Colombian Caribbean region. Long-term experiments may be conducted to confirm the full potential of cover crops on carbon sequestration under tropical semiarid conditions.

scholarly journals Transformative consumer research: Its origins and possible enrichment of the field of consumer research in South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leona M. Ungerer
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Consumer Research ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
Traditional Research ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Additional Approach ◽  
Value Add ◽  
Transformative Consumer Research

Orientation: This article provides a rationale for considering transformative consumer research as a research approach for investigating the relationship between consumption and consumers’ well-being in South Africa.Research purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore the principles underlying transformative consumer research, including how it differs from traditional research methods and pointing out some established research areas in this field.Motivation for the study: Apart from pointing to a lack of literature, this article highlights the relevance of this approach for emerging countries by investigating the principles and practices embedded in transformative consumer research. It provides some indication of how an investigation of these areas may contribute to enhancing the relevance of consumer research to its various stakeholders.Research design, approach and method: The author used a literature review to conduct the study.Main findings: It appears that consumer research currently lacks external and internal relevance. A transformative consumer-research approach may address some of the fundamental problems in the way consumer psychologists plan and conduct their research, contributing to this lack of relevance.Practical/managerial implications: Most stages of the traditional research approach may need to be adapted for transformative research purposes. Some approaches appear particularly suited to transformative consumer research, including revelatory, incendiary, policy, participatory and coalition research. Contribution/value-add: This study’s primary contribution stems from suggesting a rather novel additional approach to enhance the relevance of consumer research in South Africa, pointing out some established practices in the field of transformative consumer research and suggesting how they may augment consumer research in South Africa.

scholarly journals The Spectrum of Proactive, Resilient Multi-Microgrid Scheduling: A Systematic Literature Review

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 4543
Author(s):  
Michael Spiegel ◽  
Eric Veith ◽  
Thomas Strasser
Keyword(s):  
Power Systems ◽  
Failure Modes ◽  
Dynamic Network ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Great Level ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Or Groups ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Broad Variety

Multi-microgrids address the need for a resilient, sustainable, and cost-effective electricity supply by providing a coordinated operation of individual networks. Due to local generation, dynamic network topologies, and islanding capabilities of hosted microgrids or groups thereof, various new fault mitigation and optimization options emerge. However, with the great flexibility, new challenges such as complex failure modes that need to be considered for a resilient operation, appear. This work systematically reviews scheduling approaches which significantly influence the feasibility of mitigation options before a failure is encountered. An in-depth analysis of identified key contributions covers aspects such as the mathematical apparatus, failure models and validation to highlight the current methodical spectrum and to identify future perspectives. Despite the common optimization-based framework, a broad variety of scheduling approaches is revealed. However, none of the key contributions provides practical insights beyond lab validation and considerable effort is required until the approaches can show their full potential in practical implementations. It is expected that the great level of detail guides further research in improving and validating existing scheduling concepts as well as it, in the long run, aids engineers to choose the most suitable options regarding increasingly resilient power systems.

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