Inventors : Dr Monica Saavedra & Dr Boris Breiner, Lambda agri
The inventors have developed an active additive that converts UV light to red light. The converter molecule is very efficient at this energy conversion, and has also been designed to be non-toxic, bio-degradable, low-cost, and manufacturable at scale.
The first commercial applications for this technology are to incorporate it in paint for greenhouse coating (retrofit) and within polytunnel sheeting (newbuild).
Plants under-utilise UV light in photosynthesis, so shifting the wavelength of the light in this way has been shown to result in increased plant yields in greenhouses by c. 20% in early trials. This helps to reduce energy requirements for greenhouse production since it reduces the need for artificial lighting, and helps to reduce greenhouse temperatures in warm periods thus reducing the need for active cooling. It also means that greenhouses can reduce their usage of CO2(which is used to increase crop yields).
The challenge for the i-Team is two-fold. Firstly, to investigate the first application of using the technology to improve greenhouse production. Secondly to investigate other possible uses of the technology, which will include enhancing the efficacy of solar energy systems, medical devices, security inks, recycling recognition systems and beauty products, to name a few. By conducting interviews with sector experts, the i-Team will provide key insights and recommendations for the founders’ next steps.