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Processing factors affecting roughness, optical and mechanical properties of nanocellulose films for optoelectronics
No full textThis work aims to understand how nanocellulose (NC) processing can modify the key characteristics of NC films to align with the main requirements for high-performance optoelectronics. The performance of these devices relies heavily on the light transmittance of the substrate, which serves as a mechanical support and optimizes light interactions with the photoactive component. Critical variables that determine the optical and mechanical properties of the films include the morphology of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), as well as the concentration and turbidity of the respective aqueous suspensions. This study demonstrates that achieving high transparency was possible by reducing the grammage and adjusting the drying temperature through hot pressing. Furthermore, the use of modified CNF, specifically carboxylated CNF, resulted in more transparent films due to a higher nanosized fraction and lower turbidity. The mechanical properties of the films depended on their structure, homogeneity (spatial uniformity of local grammage), and electrokinetic factors, such as the presence of electrostatic charges on CNF. Additionally, we investigated the angle-dependent transmittance of the CNF films, since solar devices usually operate under indirect light. This work demonstrates the importance of a systematic approach to the optimization of cellulose films, providing valuable insight into the optoelectronic field. This work was a part of the Academy of Finland 's Flagship Programme under Projects No. 318890 and 318891 (Competence Center for Materials Bioeconomy, FinnCERES). J.V. acknowledges the Academy of Finland project “SUBSTAINABLE” (Decision number 334818 ) for generous funding. T.A. acknowledges funding from Formas for the “SUBSTAINABLE” project granted through the Tandem Forest Values program (Formas grant number 2019–02508 ). J. V. G acknowledges funding from Academy of Finland (Bio-EST, 336441 ) and Finnish Cultural Foundation . A. K. acknowledges funding from: UTUGS graduate school. K. M. acknowledges the Academy of Finland project Bio-EST, 336577 . O.J.R. and J.J.K. acknowledge funding support from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (grant agreement No 788489 , “BioElCell”)</p
Bone healing, tissue effects and biomechanical fixation of ‘smooth’ ceramic-coated zirconia-based dental implants : An in vivo study in sheep
No full textIn this study, the effect of coating a zirconia-based ceramic oral implant with a material of the same composition to build a relatively smooth surface with three different porosity features was evaluated in vivo, at 4 and 8 weeks after implantation in sheep femoral condyles. The results showed that at 4 weeks, the three coated zirconia-based implants with smoother surface topographies behaved similarly and promoted faster bone healing compared to the results obtained in the same zirconia- or titanium-based implants, but with rougher sandblasted and acid-etched surfaces. In addition, higher pull-out strengths were estimated in the coated-ceramic sample compared to titanium sandblasted and etched one. The present work showed that zirconia coatings with smoother surfaces than those conventionally used in the market improved the early phase of bone healing, paving the way for shorter treatment times and improved patient outcomes. The research leading up to these results was undertaken in the framework of the SISCERA project ( http://siscera-project.eu ) funded by the European Community ( H2020-FTIPilot-2016 , grant agreement no. 737954 ).</p
Foraging for development: An analysis of the Swedish wild berry innovation system
No full textCONTEXT Driven by strategic objectives such as regional development, increased domestic value added, improved labour conditions and reduced environmental impacts, a range of actors are pursuing innovation related to the Swedish wild berry value chain. OBJECTIVE Our objective is to analyse the structure, functions and directionality of the Swedish wild berry innovation system and draw implications for ongoing efforts to develop the value chain. METHODS Our study is based on 18 semi-structured interviews, participant observations and a range of secondary sources. We use an analytical framework based on the agricultural innovation systems approach and pay specific attention to reflexivity, directionality and non-human materiality. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The Swedish wild berry innovation system is fragmented as incumbent berry companies are absent from efforts to develop and reconfigure the value chain. The fragmentation is a result of the partly conflicting objectives among actors in the innovation system. There is a need for broader governance networks to navigate trade-offs and enable the commercialisation of new solutions. Successful innovation likely hinges on institutional change, particularly when it comes to efforts to improve labour conditions for migrant workers. SIGNIFICANCE Our study contributes empirically to research on non-timber forest product value chains and offers insights for actors pursuing innovation related to Swedish wild berries. We contribute to theoretical development in the agricultural innovation systems literature by incorporating attention reflexivity, directionality and non-human materiality.The research presented in this paper was conducted within the national centre FINEST – Food Innovation for Sustainable System Transition. The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (Formas) (Grant no. 2020-02839region)</p
Förnybar flytande biogas (LBG) till sjöfart i praktiken
No full textReducing the environmental and climate impact of shipping propelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) requires the introduction of alternative fuels such as liquid biogas/biomethane (LBG) (Jivén et al., 2022). Today, only a small part of the biomethane produced in Sweden is liquefied into LBG and an even smaller part is used as fuel for shipping. The price and availability of biogas is governed by supply and demand in an international market where shipping, industry and heavy trucks demand biogas. The biogas then needs to be processed into upgraded biogas (biomethane) or LBG quality in order to be transported and used in the respective sectors inside and outside of Sweden. The trend is for a larger proportion of biogas to be liquefied into LBG. The market has thus gone from a local market, where biogas was produced in the city's wastewater treatment plant and the city buses ran on biogas, to an international market where biogas often is transported in the same way as fossil gas and marketed using the fossil gas together with certificates. The project "Renewable liquid biogas (LBG) for shipping in practice" was carried out by IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and RISE in 2023 together with stakeholders from the shipping sector, ports and industry organizations for biogas. The project has studied the conditions required to make LBG available to shipping in practice at Swedish ports. The study shows that the major obstacles to an established use of LBG in the shipping sector in Sweden today are pricing/willingness to pay that is affected by international market prices, lack of suitable logistical solutions as well as the absence of the piece of the puzzle that is the business model and cooperation needed to make available the large volumes of biogas that shipping may demand. The stakeholders in the project estimate their total need of biogas to 3 TWh in a short term, and 10 TWh in a longer term. The project has identified a number of conclusions and recommendations for future work, including that the potential for biogas is large and untapped, but that new solutions for the distribution and logistics of LBG are needed. There is a clear interest from maritime actors as they see biogas as a strategic solution and the dialog between actors in the industry remains important. A change in the tax system could be needed so that more actors can use the green gas principle for LBG. In addition, a functioning "marketplace" is needed, which simplifies for sellers and buyers of LBG, and agreements/contracts are needed that are longterm and to a greater extent based on the costs of producing and providing LBG.En förstudie utförd inom Trafikverkets branschprogramHållbar sjöfart som drivs av Lighthouse. I samarbete medGöteborgs Hamn, Gävle Hamn, Terntank, Furetank, Biogas Syd, Biogas Sydost, Energigas Sverige, Wallenius Sol och Wallenius Marine.</p
Two Metaverse Dystopias
No full textIn recent years, the metaverse—some form of immersive digital extension of the physical world—has received much attention. As tech companies present their bold visions, scientists and scholars have also turned to metaverse issues, from technological challenges via societal implications to profound philosophical questions. This article contributes to this growing literature by identifying the possibilities of two dystopian metaverse scenarios, namely one based on the experience machine and one based on demoktesis—two concepts from Nozick (Anarchy, State, and Utopia, Basic Books, 1974). These dystopian scenarios are introduced, and the potential for a metaverse to evolve into either of them is explained. The article is concluded with an argument for why the two dystopian scenarios are not strongly wedded to any particular theory of ethics or political philosophy, but constitute a more general contribution. Open access funding provided by RISE Research Institutes of Sweden. The author received no external funding for this work.</p
Branschgemensam metodik för att beräkna klimatavtryck för livsmedelsprodukter
No full textPå uppdrag av Livsmedelsföretagen, LI, och Svensk Dagligvaruhandel, SvDH, har RISE tagit fram en branschgemensam metodik för att beräkna klimatavtryck av livsmedels-produkter. Framtagen klimatberäkningsmetodik bygger på den underlagsrapport om metodik och standarder för beräkning av klimatavtryck på livsmedelsprodukter som RISE tog fram i uppdrag av Li och SvDH, våren 2023 (RISE, 2023). Metodiken gäller för klimatberäkning av • Producentspecifikt och produktrepresentativt klimatavtryck av livsmedel – i rapporten kallat Representativt klimatavtryck. • Generiska klimattal av livsmedel – i rapporten kallat Generiskt klimattal
Fire-protective textiles for cultural historic objects : Part 3 of the BraTeK project
No full textThis report describes the experimental study in the BraTeK (Brannbeskyttende tekstiler for kulturhistoriske objekter) project part 3. A method for small-scale exposure of radiative heating followed by water exposure has been developed to imitate the scenario of a church fire with water extinguishing. Six textiles have been evaluated by their heat and water properties for fireprotection of cultural historic objects. The overall conclusion for each textile shows that two were ranked as good, three as intermediate and one as poor. The similarity of the two materials ranked as “good” is an aluminium layer on the exposed side. Combined with the results from BraTeK part 1 and 2 (NIKU reports), the conclusions from this report may support the owners’ choice of fire-protective textiles.Denne rapporten beskriver den eksperimentelle studien i BraTeK (Brannbeskyttende tekstiler for kulturhistoriske objekter) prosjekets del 3. Det er utviklet en metode for småskala eksponering av strålevarme etterfulgt av vanneksponering for å imitere scenarioet med en kirkebrann som inkluderer slokking med vann. Seks tekstiler er evaluert med hensyn på deres varme- og vannbeskyttende egenskaper for beskyttelse av kulturhistoriske gjenstander. Den samlede konklusjonen for hvert tekstil viser at to ble rangert som gode, tre som middels og én som dårlig. Begge tekstilene som er rangert som gode har et aluminiumslag på eksponert side. Kombinert med resultatene fra BraTeK del 1 og 2 (NIKU-rapporter), kan konklusjonene fra denne rapporten støtte eiernes valg av brannverntekstiler.Funded by: The Directorate for Cultural Heritage in Norway (Riksantikvaren) and the Confederation of Churches and Nonprofits (Hovedorganisasjonen KA).</p
Ecological risk assessment of invertebrates caught in Swedish west-coast fisheries
No full textEcological risk assessments are important as scientific support for the implementation of ecosystem-based fisheries management. Marine invertebrates are important to ecosystem structure and function and may be sensitive to fishing pressure. Some are also of increasing commercial value – but have hitherto not been paid much attention to in ecological risk assessments. Here, catches of invertebrates in Swedish west-coast fisheries with demersal trawls and creels are examined from an ecological risk assessment perspective. It is found that few non-commercial invertebrate species have been regularly recorded in onboard observer programs. Furthermore, for being a comparatively well-studied area, it is striking to find that out of the 93 species included, 56% could be classified as data deficient in terms of known attributes needed to perform basic ecological risk assessments. This implies that there is little or no available information on the basic life history traits important for estimating productivity. Additionally, onboard observer data for invertebrates are inadequate beyond targeted commercial species for robust statistical analysis on volumes generated over time and between fisheries. However, over 18% of the studied species are categorized as red-listed on the Swedish IUCN Red List. Combined with the few records available in observer data programs, the study illustrates the need to pay more attention to marine invertebrates in fisheries monitoring programs and research, especially bycaught and non-commercial invertebrate species
Life cycle environmental impacts of kelp aquaculture through harmonized recalculation of inventory data
No full textAs seaweed farming gains prominence in future blue economies, scientifically robust environmental evaluations are vital. Harmonizing life cycle assessment (LCA) studies provides nuanced insights, allowing generalizations and potentially more accurate results than individual studies. This study recalculates life cycle inventory (LCI) data to offer a comprehensive perspective on sugar kelp Saccharina latissima. The findings affirm and validate previous studies, emphasizing critical hotspots such as fuel use for boats at sea, impacts from the use of plastic ropes, buoys and metal components at sea, and electrical energy use in the hatchery. The overall environmental impacts of seaweed farming remain relatively low compared to other seafood and biomass sources. The study also highlights the importance of how fuel use is modelled for the outcome. While harmonization enhances certainty and facilitates robust comparisons, challenges arise from the lack of standardized methods for data collection and reporting, along with data gaps between studies. Addressing these limitations calls for standardized protocols and improved data sharing practices in the field. This work was supported by the Swedish Research Council FORMAS [grant numbers 2020-03113 and 2020-02834]</p
Interpretable machine learning for predicting the fate and transport of pentachlorophenol in groundwater
No full textPentachlorophenol (PCP) is a commonly found recalcitrant and toxic groundwater contaminant that resists degradation, bioaccumulates, and has a potential for long-range environmental transport. Taking proper actions to deal with the pollutant accounting for the life cycle consequences requires a better understanding of its behavior in the subsurface. We recognize the huge potential for enhancing decision-making at contaminated groundwater sites with the arrival of machine learning (ML) techniques in environmental applications. We used ML to enhance the understanding of the dynamics of PCP transport properties in the subsurface, and to determine key hydrochemical and hydrogeological drivers affecting its transport and fate. We demonstrate how this complementary knowledge, provided by data-driven methods, may enable a more targeted planning of monitoring and remediation at two highly contaminated Swedish groundwater sites, where the method was validated. We evaluated 6 interpretable ML methods, 3 linear regressors and 3 non-linear (i.e., tree-based) regressors, to predict PCP concentration in the groundwater. The modeling results indicate that simple linear ML models were found to be useful in the prediction of observations for datasets without any missing values, while tree-based regressors were more suitable for datasets containing missing values. Considering that missing values are common in datasets collected during contaminated site investigations, this could be of significant importance for contaminated site planners and managers, ultimately reducing site investigation and monitoring costs. Furthermore, we interpreted the proposed models using the SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) approach to decipher the importance of different drivers in the prediction and simulation of critical hydrogeochemical variables. Among these, sum of chlorophenols is of highest significance in the analyses. Setting that aside from the model, tetra chlorophenols, dissolved organic carbon, and conductivity found to be of highest importance. Accordingly, ML methods could potentially be used to improve the understanding of groundwater contamination transport dynamics, filling gaps in knowledge that remain when using more sophisticated deterministic modeling approaches. © 2024 The AuthorsThis research was financially supported by the Åke och Greta Lissheds Foundation, and by the Swedish Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program (WASP) funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.</p