Juan Cruz Tubio (VU): MycoFarming
Juan Cruz Tubio (VU): MycoFarming, domesticating fungi
At the root of the Dutch farmer’s crisis, lie far too high emissions of nitrogen in the soil. Nitrogen is a critical element for a plant to grow, but in excess, it’s damaging to the underground and leads to biodiversity losses. By way of developing nitrogen sensors and using AI, areas of high emissions in farms can be detected and quantified. Combining technology and biology, MycoFarming aims to use fungi (that use high quantities of nitrogen for their growth) to reduce nitrogen emissions. Collaborating in research with Wageningen University and the University of Benin, MycoFarming aims to bring a mycological solution to agriculture that reduces agricultural emissions by up to 86% and creates a more sustainable future.
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Lukas Helmbrecht (AMOLF and UvA): LumetalliX
Lukas Helmbrecht (AMOLF and UvA): LumetalliX – spray and make Lead light up! Lead is a highly toxic substance that causes permanent brain damage, affecting one in three children globally as stated by UNICEF. The toxic lead is all around us. For example in paint, household items and even children’s toys. Unfortunately, detecting lead is […]
Jonathan de Long (UvA): Mitigating drought effects on grassland productivity
Jonathan de Long (UvA): Mitigating drought effects on grassland productivity by understanding grass-fungi-drought soil legacy interactions Drought events are becoming more frequent and more intense. This results in decreases in grassland productivity and financial losses for farmers. Upon rewetting after drought, so-called drought soil legacy effects can lead to carbon and nitrogen losses from the soil. […]
Olivier Lugier (UvA): Nano Hybrids
Olivier Lugier (UvA): Green synthesis of hybrid core-shell nanoparticles (Nano Hybrids) Nanomaterials are extremely small materials with unique properties due to their size. They are said to revolutionize many technological fields with high societal impact, like sustainable energy, catalysis and biomedicine. The problem is that their synthesis methods are often complex and polluting, which limits […]