Sewage Sludge as N-Fertilizers for Crop Production Enabling the Circular Bioeconomy in Agriculture: A Challenge for the New EU Regulation 1009/2019

The fertilizer framework in the European Union has recently been reviewed by EU Regulation 1009/2019 that excluded sewage sludge from the list of the possible constituents of organic fertilizers relying on their origin, not on their quality. This paper aimed to carry out a complete characterization of sewage sludge obtained from a pharmaceutical manufacturing process (PDSS) to demonstrate that sewage sludge obtained from a standardized and controlled manufacturing process can be safely recycled as organic fertilizer. The agronomic and environmental characteristics of the PDSS product were analyzed and compared to other organic fertilizers. Its fertilizing potential was also evaluated through plant growth trials. PDSS was characterized by a high concentration of total N (6.6% w/w), which was all present in organic form. PDSS also showed a low concentration of heavy metals, an absence of pathogens and low concentrations of organic contaminants. Plant growth trials showed that the PDSS was able to improve lettuce and carrot growth (+25 and +46% of dry weight compared to the unfertilized control), as well as their physiological status. Considering all the results, the exclusion of sewage sludge relying only on its origin and not on its quality appears to conflict with the principles of the circular bioeconomy

Sewage Sludge as N-Fertilizers for Crop Production Enabling the Circular Bioeconomy in Agriculture: A Challenge for the New EU Regulation 1009/2019

The fertilizer framework in the European Union has recently been reviewed by EU Regulation 1009/2019 that excluded sewage sludge from the list of the possible constituents of organic fertilizers relying on their origin, not on their quality. This paper aimed to carry out a complete characterization of sewage sludge obtained from a pharmaceutical manufacturing process (PDSS) to demonstrate that sewage sludge obtained from a standardized and controlled manufacturing process can be safely recycled as organic fertilizer. The agronomic and environmental characteristics of the PDSS product were analyzed and compared to other organic fertilizers. Its fertilizing potential was also evaluated through plant growth trials. PDSS was characterized by a high concentration of total N (6.6% w/w), which was all present in organic form. PDSS also showed a low concentration of heavy metals, an absence of pathogens and low concentrations of organic contaminants. Plant growth trials showed that the PDSS was able to improve lettuce and carrot growth (+25 and +46% of dry weight compared to the unfertilized control), as well as their physiological status. Considering all the results, the exclusion of sewage sludge relying only on its origin and not on its quality appears to conflict with the principles of the circular bioeconomy

Analysis of self-powered vibration-based energy scavenging system

This paper analyses a complete self-powered vibration based energy scavenging system. For the purpose of the analysis, the energy scavenging system (comprising of a SPICE model of Piezoelectric Bender Generator (PBG), an integrated semi-active bridge rectifier and a voltage regulator circuit) has been implemented in SPICE and presented in this paper. The semi-active bridge rectifier proposed in this paper uses Vertical Double-diffused MOS (VDMOS) transistors in place of standard diodes, to be suitable to withstand the high voltage values generated by PBGs. Using SPICE the analysis of the reciprocal interaction between PBG and scavenging system (in terms of stress, strain rate, mechanical and electrical powers at various loads and regulated voltages) is investigated. The simulation results of the semi-active bridge rectifier have shown an efficiency of the rectifier of about the 90 %. The simulation results of the whole system with optimized control circuits have shown how both the load and the regulated voltage can influence the behavior of stress and strain rate and vice versa. Comparisons of simulated stress and strain rate at various loads and regulated voltage values have shown an opposite behavior of the strain rate with respect to the stress. The simulation results of various powers - mechanical and electrical - from PBG to the load have shown the amount of mechanical power converted by the PBG into electrical that can be transferred to the load and that an optimal load exist

EFFECTS OF ARTIFICIAL SUGAR FEEDING ON SUGAR COMPOSITION OF ROYAL JELLY 1

Abstract The aim of this research is to contribute to the knowledge of the Royal Jelly (RJ) sugar composition and to examine i ts possible dependence on artificial sugar feeding of bee colonies. For organic beekeeping artificial nutrition is not allowed, except in case of danger to the life of the colony. This restriction does not seem to be important for the production of RJ, which is a honeybee secretion and should not be directly affected by feeding. In this study the sugar content was determined in 95 RJ samples, partly obtained from colonies fed with different sugar syrups, partly purchased from commercial producers and importers. Results show that no correlation can be established between the RJ sugar content and the feeding regimes tested. The ranges (g/100g of fresh matter) found for the three main RJ sugars are 2.3-6.9 for fructose; 3.7-8.2 for glucose, <0.1-2.1 for sucrose and 6.9-16.0 for their sum. These values may represent a contribution in establishing a quality standard for RJ

A Novel CMOS Sensor for Position Detection

A novel architecture of optical sensor developed for flying-spot active triangulation will be presented. The architecture implements a spot position circulation based on a two steps procedure allowing for increased readout speed and color detection. The proposed sensor has been fully integrated in standard CMOS technology and is currently under test. Preliminary experimental results will be presente

Effects of the application of microbiologically activated bio-based fertilizers derived from manures on tomato plants and their rhizospheric communities

Abstract Bio-based fertilizers (BBFs) recovered from animal manure are promising products to optimise resources recovery and generate high agricultural yields. However, their fertilization value may be limited and it is necessary to enrich BBFs with microbial consortia to enhance their fertilization value. Three specific microbial consortia were developed according to the characteristics of three different BBFs produced from manure (bio-dried solid fraction, solid fraction of digestate and biochar) to enhance plant growth and product quality. A greenhouse pot experiment was carried out with tomato plants grown with microbiologically activated BBFs applied either as N-organic fertilizers or as an organic amendment. A next generation sequencing analysis was used to characterise the development of each rhizospheric community. All the activated BBFs gave enhanced tomato yields (fresh and dry weight) compared with the non-activated treatments and similar to, or higher than, chemical fertilization. Concerning the tomato fruits’ organoleptic quality, lycopene and carotenoids concentrations were improved by biological activation. Metagenomic analysis points at Trichoderma as the main driver of the positive effects, with the effects of added bacteria being negligible or limited at the early stages after fertilization. In the context of the circular economy, the activated BBFs could be used to replace synthetic fertilisers, reducing costs and environmental burdens and increasing production

Optimized Position Sensors for Flying-Spot Active Triangulation Systems

A description of the integrated sensors developed for flying-spot active triangulation will be given. All the sensors have been fabricated using standard CMOS technology that allows the monolithic integration of photo-sensors, together with readout circuits, and digital signal processors. Position sensors are categorized into two classes that allow a better understanding of the pros and cons of each one. A description of the proposed position sensor that is optimized for accurate and fast 3D acquisition is given alongside some experimental result