Editing Emerging technologies, emerging markets – fostering the innovation potential of research infrastructures

Photosynthesis is the key mechanism with which biosphere fixates (“absorbs”) CO2 from the atmosphere. Any change in gross photosynthesis will be reflected on the whole carbon cycle and, therefore, photosynthesis prediction is becoming a priority effort. Photosynthetic rates can also give information about plant growth and ecosystem productivity and therefore feedback mechanisms between vegetation, atmosphere and climate. Photosynthesis measurements are already commercially available for single leaves or very small canopies. It employs mainly two methods of measurements: either measuring on a small scale the CO2 exchange with the atmosphere (mainly produced by LICOR), either measuring the fluorescence emitted by the vegetation in specific wavelength due to the molecular mechanisms involved in the photosynthetic and energy dissipation processes (mainly produced by Walz). The latter method uses LED pulsating a certain frequencies followed by a spectral readout from the plant. This system is manageable at leaf scale, but its active principle (based on an excitation-response mechanism) is not applicable far from the plant canopy. Recently, though, a new ESA mission will launch a satellite, FLEX, in 2022 that will be able to use passive method for quantifying plant fluorescence (e.g SIF, Solar Induced Fluorescence). Plant photosynthesis will therefore enter a whole new scenario in which remote sensing will start playing an important role. The technology employed by such new observation satellite is actually being developed as aircraft payload by the Forschnungszentrum Jülich and the Specim Company, and will be commercially available for ground or aircraft-based biosphere measurements.  

Photosynthesis is the key mechanism with which biosphere fixates (“absorbs”) CO2 from the atmosphere. Any change in gross photosynthesis will be reflected on the whole carbon cycle and, therefore, photosynthesis prediction is becoming a priority effort. Photosynthetic rates can also give information about plant growth and ecosystem productivity and therefore feedback mechanisms between vegetation, atmosphere and climate. Photosynthesis measurements are already commercially available for single leaves or very small canopies. It employs mainly two methods of measurements: either measuring on a small scale the CO2 exchange with the atmosphere (mainly produced by LICOR), either measuring the fluorescence emitted by the vegetation in specific wavelength due to the molecular mechanisms involved in the photosynthetic and energy dissipation processes (mainly produced by Walz). The latter method uses LED pulsating a certain frequencies followed by a spectral readout from the plant. This system is manageable at leaf scale, but its active principle (based on an excitation-response mechanism) is not applicable far from the plant canopy. Recently, though, a new ESA mission will launch a satellite, FLEX, in 2022 that will be able to use passive method for quantifying plant fluorescence (e.g SIF, Solar Induced Fluorescence). Plant photosynthesis will therefore enter a whole new scenario in which remote sensing will start playing an important role. The technology employed by such new observation satellite is actually being developed as aircraft payload by the Forschnungszentrum Jülich and the Specim Company, and will be commercially available for ground or aircraft-based biosphere measurements.  

Land Biosphere measurements of microorganisms emitted from the plant canopy generally using a combination of meteorological measurements (such as radiation, wind speed and temperature, either as single-point measurement or profiles) and quantitative microbiological techniques (for more information see Despres et al., 2012 and Carotenuto et al., 2017).

Land Biosphere measurements of microorganisms emitted from the plant canopy generally using a combination of meteorological measurements (such as radiation, wind speed and temperature, either as single-point measurement or profiles) and quantitative microbiological techniques (for more information see Despres et al., 2012 and Carotenuto et al., 2017).

In the past years, though, a new technology is emerging that would be able to quantify microorganisms in real time. This is done through special aerosol samplers that not only determine physical characteristics of aerosols (such as size and asymmetry) but also response in fluorescence wavelengths related to organic molecules (such as NADH and the amino-acid tryptophan). Each aerosol particle is quickly illuminated (“flashed”) by exciting emitters and appropriate detectors collect the fluorescence response. The combination of such information allows discriminating between inorganic aerosols, bacteria, fungi, etc. measuring the organic fraction that can potentially rise up in the atmosphere and act as biological ice or cloud condensation nuclei.

In the past years, though, a new technology is emerging that would be able to quantify microorganisms in real time. This is done through special aerosol samplers that not only determine physical characteristics of aerosols (such as size and asymmetry) but also response in fluorescence wavelengths related to organic molecules (such as NADH and the amino-acid tryptophan). Each aerosol particle is quickly illuminated (“flashed”) by exciting emitters and appropriate detectors collect the fluorescence response. The combination of such information allows discriminating between inorganic aerosols, bacteria, fungi, etc. measuring the organic fraction that can potentially rise up in the atmosphere and act as biological ice or cloud condensation nuclei.

==3.4 Market overview==

==3.4 Market overview==