Open AccessEngineered surface scatterers in edge-lit slab waveguides to improve light delivery in algae cultivation
Author(s) -
Syed Saad Ahsan,
Brandon Pereyra,
Erica E. Jung,
David Erickson
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.22.0a1526
Subject(s) - photobioreactor , optics , scattering , shading , light scattering , slab , light intensity , materials science , enhanced data rates for gsm evolution , intensity (physics) , biomass (ecology) , physics , computer science , telecommunications , geology , oceanography , computer graphics (images) , geophysics
Most existing photobioreactors do a poor job of distributing light uniformly due to shading effects. One method by which this could be improved is through the use of internal wave-guiding structures incorporating engineered light scattering schemes. By varying the density of these scatterers, one can control the spatial distribution of light inside the reactor enabling better uniformity of illumination. Here, we compare a number of light scattering schemes and evaluate their ability to enhance biomass accumulation. We demonstrate a design for a gradient distribution of surface scatterers with uniform lateral scattering intensity that is superior for algal biomass accumulation, resulting in a 40% increase in the growth rate.