The world is filled with light and is essential to one of our senses (sight) and our existence in the Earth itself. Light is at the heart of many technology which affect our lives, like the harvesting of energy using solar cells, light emitting diode (LED) displays, as well as telecommunications via fiber optic networks.

The iPhone is an outstanding demonstration of the potential of light. In the device, its electronic functions are based on quantum mechanics. The screen in front is a completely photonic device which controls light through liquid crystals. Backside: white light emitting diodes to create an LED flash, as well as lenses that can capture pictures.

Photonics is the term we use or optics to describe the use of light in the development of new technology and applications. The importance of these technologies in our modern lives is recognized each in May on the 16th of May which is an International Day of Light.

Scientists from the African continent, in spite of the constraints on resources they operate within, have made significant contributions to the field of photonics. A few of them are documented in a special issue in the journal Applied Optics. With colleagues from this area of Morocco and Senegal and Senegal, we presented this compilation of articles that aims to highlight excellence and demonstrate the importance of research that focus on continental problems.

Photonics: A Spotlight On Africa

The history of Africa’s formal optics is rooted in many thousands of years. There are reference to the lens’s design documented in the earliest Egyptian writings.

Recently, Africa has contributed to two Nobel prizes that were based on optics. Ahmed Zewail (Egyptian born) observed the ultra-fast chemical processes using Lasers (1999, Nobel Prize for Chemistry) as well as Serge Harouche (Moroccan born) was studying the behavior of particles in photons, light (2012, Nobel Prize for Physics).

The African optics tale is an area of high-quality optics. The best parts are as impressive like anywhere else, however there’s too little of them to place Africa on the world optics map. Based on a calculation for 2020 that I was provided by the Optical Society of America Based on their publications, Africa contributes less than 1percent to the world’s journals that have photonics or optics as a subject.

However, there are many possibilities to meet continental challenges with optics. Some examples of areas in which Africans could be innovative include:

• bridge the digital divide by implementing the latest technology in communications
• optic imaging and spectroscopy to aid in improvement in agricultural practices and to monitor changing climate
• using the sun’s energy using optical materials to harness pure energy
• biophotonics and health solutions
• quantum technologies to create new forms of sensing, communicating, computer imaging, and sensing

The essays in the special issue of the journal cover the diversity of topics that are relevant to continents.

The other is making use of optics to communicate between free space (air) even during bad temperatures. The solution was tested with weather data taken from two African cities: Alexandria in Egypt as well as Setif within Algeria.

Another article is on tiny quantum quantum sources of quantum-entanglement that can be used to detect. The researchers used diamonds as a stone that is found within South Africa and more commonly found in jewelry. Diamond is not without flaws, among them, it can generate single photons after being excited. The single photon’s output divided into two directions in the same way as if the particle moved both directions in the same direction. This is the nutty idea of entanglement. It is, in this instance, made with diamonds. When an object is set on a single path the entanglement will discern it. Oddly enough, there are times when photons travel to the left however the object is on the right path, but it is able to be identified.

One of the contributors proposes an affordable technique to find and identify harmful bacteria in the water.

The latest developments in the field of spectroscopy (studying color) to detect the health of cells; biosensors for monitoring glucose and salt levels in blood; as well as optical instruments to improve the security of food each play a role in optical technologies across the globe.

A different area of African optical research that could have many applications is the application of optical fibres that can detect the soil’s quality and its strength and structural strength. The use of optical fibres is usually connected as communication devices, but the latest approach is to make use of optical fibres that are which is already in place to monitor minor changes to the world such as an early warning system for earthquakes. It has been discovered that traditional optical fibres can be utilized to determine if soil is getting worse, due to a the lack of moisture or a physical change in the structural changes (weakness or shift). It’s an immediate instrument for farmers, based upon decades of study.

The variety of subjects that are included in the collection show the way that researchers from across the continent are making use of the smallest resources to make maximum impact. A strong focus on applications may also indicate that African governments are keen for researchers to focus on solving real-world problems, instead of purely academic issues. One example could be South Africa, which has an approved plan for its national policy ( SA QuTI) that aims to transform quantum research into quantum technology, and educate the workforce to compete in an emerging economy.

To A Brighter And More Promising Future

If you are a young scientist and want to get into this field, the possibilities are limitless. Photonics does not have any discipline limits, students typically are drawn to the disciplines of engineering, physics biology, or chemistry. Its strength is in the blending of abilities, which combine the theoretical, computational and empirical techniques, which are then brought together to tackle issues. In a typical conference on photonics, you’re likely to see several more industrial participants than academics. This is a testimony to the widespread impact of photonics in modern technology, as well as the job possibilities for students.

The previous century was founded on electronic devices and the control of electrons. This century is likely to be led by photonics that will control photons.

Scientists have been aware for years that UV light has the ability to eliminate pathogens from surfaces, as well as in the air and in water. UV robots can be used to clean hospitals that are not being used as well as trains and buses and UV lamps within HVAC systems kill the pathogens that are present in air and buildings; as well as ultraviolet lamps eliminate bacteria in water. Maybe you’ve seen UV-lighting wands, UV LEDs and UV air purifiers marketed as silver bullets that protect against coronavirus. In the years of study that has looked into the capability of the UV light to eliminate various pathogens, there is no standards set regarding UV disinfection solutions for the coronavirus. The products could destroy SARS-CoV-2 which is the COVID-19 virus however, they may not.

I’m an environmental engineer who is an specialist in UV disinfection. In May 2021, team and I decided to test the accuracy of various UV devices and determine what was most efficient in killing off or destroying – SARS-CoV-2.

What Is The Process By Which UV Light Kill Viruses?

Light is categorised according to wavelength – the distance between the peak of a light wave that can be determined in nanometers. The wavelengths of UV range from 100-400 nanometers, which is shorter than the violet hues of visible light. These wavelengths appear invisible to our eyes. When wavelengths shrink, the light photons contain greater quantities of energy.

There are different types of UV light are more effective than other wavelengths for destroying virus, and it depends on the degree to which these wavelengths absorb by the virus’s DNA or https://romusa4d.com. If UV light is absorption, the photons from radiation transfer energy and destroy the chemical bonds that make up DNA. It is then in a position to replicate, or even cause an disease. Researchers have also discovered that virus’s proteins used to attach themselves to the host cell to initiate an infection, similar to the coronavirus spike proteins as well as susceptible to ultraviolet radiation.

The amount of light you are exposed to is important as well. Light intensity can be varied Bright lighting is much more intense and it has greater energy when it is dim. When exposed to intense light for just a few minutes period of time may produce similar UV exposure when compared to dim light for a long duration. The key is to identify the dose which will eliminate coronavirus at every UV wavelength.

The Ultraviolet Light Source Is Suitable For Use By People

Traditional UV systems employ the wavelength of around 254 nanometers. These wavelengths of UV light can be harmful to the human eyes and skin, even when doses are low. Sunlight is a source of UV light that falls within those wavelengths. Anyone who’s had the unfortunate experience of getting an unintentional sunburn is aware of the dangers UV light could be.

But, research in the last few years shows that at certain ultraviolet wavelengths, particularly smaller than 230 nanometers, the energy-rich photons are captured by the upper layer of dead cells but don’t reach these active layers from which the damage could occur. In the same way to the tear-film around the eyes block out ultraviolet rays that can cause germicidal damage.

It means that with the wavelengths of UV that are less than the 230 nanometer mark, humans are able to move more easily as the air around them is disinfected in real-time.

Testing Different Wavelengths

My coworkers and I have tested five of the most commonly utilized UV wavelengths to find out the ones that work best in destroying SARS-CoV-2. We specifically, tested what dosage is necessary in order to eliminate 90% – 99.9 percent of the viral particles that are present.

These tests were carried out at a biosafety-level three facility located at the University of Arizona which is designed to deal with dangerous pathogens. The lab tested various light sources throughout the UV spectrum, which included UV LEDs emitting the light between 270 and 282 nanometers. We also tested conventional UV tube lamps with 254 nanometers as well as a brand new technology known as an excitation dimer or excimer. UV source with the nanometer scale of 222.

For testing each device, we injected a small amount from water with millions SARS-CoV-2 virus and then coated the petri dish in an extremely thin layer of the mix. Then we sprayed UV radiation onto the dish until we reached a certain amount. We then examined the virus particles to check whether they still had the ability to infect the human cells grown in culture. If the virus could affect cells, the dosage was not sufficient. If the viruses didn’t result in an infection, the UV source at the dose was able to kill the pathogen. It was then carefully repeated to test a variety of UV exposures, using five UV sources.

The wavelengths tested could inhibit SARS-CoV-2 with very low dosages, those that require the smallest doses were ones that release UV radiation with an amplitude of 223 nanometers. Our test was under 2 millijoules power per square centimeter in order to eliminate 99.9 percent of the virus particles. That’s around 20 seconds of time to clean the area that is exposed to a lower level of short wavelength UV light. This is like the one used during our experiment.

These systems of 222 nanometers are two times as effective as standard lamp lamps that frequently are employed in ultraviolet disinfecting equipment. The most significant thing is that the best lamp happens to be the least harmful to humans also. With the same UV strength that kills 99.9 percent of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in twenty seconds, one is able to safely be exposed the light of 222 nanometers for an twenty minutes and an hour.

The result is that there are many kinds of UV lamp light sources can be utilized in order to effectively reduce the coronavirus levels with the people in attendance.

More Efficient Use of Technology

Numerous organizations or places including the U.S. Air Force to the Space Needle in Seattle up to Boeing have already been using or exploring ways to make use of UV light within the range of 222 nanometers to safeguard the public’s health.

We believe our results are crucial because they determine precisely the doses required for different levels of control for SARS-CoV-2 which includes eliminating 90% or 99.9 percent of the viral particles.

Imagine the coffee shops supermarkets, schools, rooms, restaurants, and concert venues made secure by this technology. This isn’t only a solution to SARS-CoV-2. The technologies can help safeguard the health of people in public areas in the future, during times of emergency and also in times that are relatively normal, decreasing exposure to common infections caused by bacteria and viruses.

Have you stopped and think about the ground beneath your feet? Leonardo da Vinci said: “We know more about the motion of celestial bodies than we do about the earth beneath our feet.” But our survival as human beings – as well as life on our planet is dependent on the health of the thin layer of soil covering the earth.

Soils provide society with vital nutrients, food, fiber and other raw materials, and is also an important habitat for one quarter of Earth’s biodiversity. Soils also are the biggest organic carbon storage reservoir in the Earth and, despite being extremely dynamic, they are also fragile. Take a forest and it could re-grow within 50 years, however you’ll lose 10 centimeters of soil and be prepared to have to wait for a thousand years until it is back. Without soil, the planet will be a mystery for humans, and even more similar to the impervious and barren planet on Mars or the Moon. Moon as well as Mars.

In the past it was not clear even realize how deep the earth is beneath our feet. As with all mystery, a little digging is needed for soils to be known and their story to be revealed.

Once they’re visible there are a variety of questions that come up. What is the difference in color with the depth indicate? What is the amount of carbon being stored? Are the soils dense, fragile, damaged or in good health? The answer to these questions is crucial however, it is a major problem that could require many years of education.

Online Soil Resources

Researchers who are involved in Open Soil Science technologies and data met last week in the Netherlands to discuss recent as well as future advances in soil science for citizens. With the help of making electronic tools as well as making these free available, we aim to communicate the mysteries of the soil to more people and expand the spread and accessibility of soil data as well as our understanding of soil’s properties around the globe. We can then devise specific strategies to protect this precious resource.

If you’re looking to learn how the earth works that surrounds your home, the SoilGrids system gives you an open and accessible access to a range of soil features and soil varieties. The internet-based World Soil Information Service ( WoSIS) as well as The virtual world Soil Museum give details on a variety of soil profiles across the world featuring high-resolution photos of soil profiles, accompanied by specific explanations of each soil the horizons.

These sites (and they have many others) can be a good beginning point for getting acquainted with soils, in order that both landowners and farmers are aware of the factors that lead to the growth of soils and the way it affects the health of soils and the functioning of ecosystems including carbon storage.

Apps To Help On The Ground

The different users might have different expectations of soil applications. Gardeners and farmers on the farm are usually concerned about soil fertility while educators in the classroom might want to discuss the importance of soils and their role in the vast natural diversity of landscapes around the world.

Whatever the expectations of users regardless of expectations, applications for smartphones as well as websites can assist people to understand the various features and possible uses for soil, thereby highlighting the splendor, variety and significance of this overlooked natural resources.

MySoil is an application, which was developed through the British Geological Survey in 2012 It aims at bringing awareness of the variety of soil characteristics throughout Europe as well as the ability to collect images and information about the soils that surround your. It is designed for non-experts More than 50,000 individuals explore the soils that surround their homes and are providing more than 4000 observations around the world.

Soil Explorer created by ISEE network in 2015 to 2017 displays how soil changes in different ways and what this means. This application provides a frame of understanding, especially those who want to know the ways that soils change with respect to the various climates and landscapes (why does the soil here colored red and grey there? Is my soil more wet than to other soil types?). You can, for instance, look at the regions that were recently affected by Harvey. You can zoom into the areas recently flooded by Hurricane Harvey within Houston, Texas, and find a lot of the affected soils with “recent alluvium” (soil substances which are left behind by the water) which demonstrates the strong relationship between soil properties and floods. This is useful for the making of decisions such as which areas to build homes in case local planning for the area is insufficient or maps aren’t easily accessible. The maps of soil properties can be derived from the precise soil survey records available across the US Seven states are available online, and additional states coming soon.

The app in Scotland, Soil Organic Carbon Information Technology (SOCIT) created in collaboration with James Hutton Institute, was developed by the James Hutton Institute in 2015 utilizes the location of the user and the color of the soil in order to calculate the level of organic matter present in the topsoil. The app (available on Android as well as Apple) will shortly expand its coverage to include the UK as well as Europe. Organic carbon in soil is the primary indicator of fertility in soils and the soils are home to greater amounts of carbon than the vegetation and the atmosphere together and therefore, soil carbon storage, and understanding how to guard it is crucial to overall health of the ecosystem and consequently all of us.

LandPKS ( Land Potential Knowledge System) is designed to enhance the data available to land managers in making the decisions regarding efficiency and sustainability. It helps users navigate the open data on climate and soil to offer free, simple to utilize, local data to help optimize management of land decision-making. The program was created in Kenya as well as Namibia and is now being trialled in Tanzania in addition to in the United States.

Then What’s The Use In All That Numbers?

The vast amount of soil information raises the question, what’s useful for? A quick and immediate application for global accessible soil data is to determine the crops that can be grown in which areas. CropBASE will accomplish this, through the combination of climate, soil and data from crowdsourced sources to address the ‘what’, where’ and ‘when’ issues which we’ll have to answer for the future of agriculture.

There are a myriad of websites and applications accessible to dig into the soil’s treasures. It is our hope that by drawing attention to the importance and complexity of soils using modern technology, it will help raise awareness on the significance of soil health throughout the globe. This can help reveal the vast diversity of soils in different locations and give fundamental knowledge to evaluate soil characteristics.

Because of modern technologies making it possible to unlock the secrets of soils is now simpler.