title: Engineered surface scatterers in edge-lit slab waveguides to improve light delivery in algae cultivation.
abstract: 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.
authors.forename: Syed Saad
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Ahsan
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pereyra
authors.forename: Erica E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erickson
mesh_terms: D061249:Batch Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004735:Energy Transfer; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007909:Lenses; D008027:Light; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D058433:Photobioreactors / Q000382:microbiology*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012031:Refractometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D020349:Surface Plasmon Resonance / Q000295:instrumentation*; D046939:Synechocystis / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000528:radiation effects