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FRANCESCO BARBIERI
Assegnista di ricerca
INTERMECH Centro Interd. per la Ricerca Applicata e i Servizi nel settore della Meccanica Avanzata e della Motoristica
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Pubblicazioni
2023
- Combined Effects of Different LED Light Recipes and Slow-Release Fertilizers on Baby Leaf Lettuce Growth for Vertical Farming: Modeling through DoE
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbieri, Francesco; Barbi, Silvia; Bertacchini, Alessandro; Montorsi, Monia
abstract
The modern agriculture system based on open-field crops requires a lot of energy and
resources in terms of soil, water, and chemicals. Vertical farming (VF) systems could be a viable alternative for some types of cultivation that are receiving interest thanks to their high modularity, optimized water and nutrients use, and LEDs employment as an energy-efficient light source. However, VF design and installation are expensive and require well-tailored optimization depending on the specific crop to increase its competitiveness. This work analyzed the effects of different combinations of NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) slow-release fertilizers and LED-based light recipes on the growth of baby leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.), taking advantage of the Design of Experiments (DoE) methodology. The type of slow-release fertilizer, its quantity measured as the number of aggregates from 0 to 6, and the type of light recipe were considered as input factors, and their possible influence on the growth of lettuce (in terms of morphological parameters) in a controlled indoor farming system was measured. Results suggest that using higher fertilizer inputs equal to six aggregates leads to an increase of average leaf area equal to 46% (from 13.00 cm2 to 19.00 cm2), while the fresh weight of lettuce increases by 65% (from 1.79 g to 2.96 g). However, the height of plants also depends on the combination of the light recipes. In particular, the separate coupling of higher inputs of two fertilizers and light recipes leads to an increase in the height of lettuce equal to 33% (from 6.00 cm to 8.00 cm).
2023
- Effects of LED Lights and New Long-Term-Release Fertilizers
on Lettuce Growth: A Contribution for Sustainable Horticulture
[Articolo su rivista]
Sgarbi, Elisabetta; Santunione, Giulia; Barbieri, Francesco; Montorsi, Monia; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
The horticulture sector has been directed by European guidelines to improve its practices
related to environmental sustainability. Moreover, the practice of horticulture in urban areas is
increasing since it provides fresh products that are locally produced. At the same time, horticulture
needs to implement circular economy approaches and energy-efficient models. Therefore, to address
these issues, this study investigated the effects of an integrated fertilizer-box-based cultivation
system equipped with LED lights and coated porous inorganic materials (C-PIMs), which was
applied as fertilizer, on Lactuca sativa L. growth. Two different types of lightweight aggregates were
formulated considering agri-food and post-consumer waste, and they were enriched with potassium
and phosphorus. Involving waste in the process was part of their valorization in the circular economy.
Using PIMs as fertilizers enabled the controlled release of nutrients over time. The tests were carried
out in controlled conditions using two LED lighting systems capable of changing their light spectrum
according to the growth phases of the plants. The effects of two different lighting schemes on the
growth of lettuce plants, in combination with different amounts of aggregates, were studied. The
results showed that increasing the amount of C-PIMs statistically improved the lettuce growth in
terms of dry biomass production (+60% and +34% for two different types of PIM application) when
the plants were exposed to the first LED scheme (LED-1). Plant height and leaf areas significantly
increased when exposed to the second LED scheme (LED-2), in combination with the presence of
C-PIMs in the soil. The analysis of the heavy metal contents in the lettuce leaves and the soil at the
end of the test revealed that these elements remained significantly below the legislated thresholds.
The experimental achievements of this study identified a new approach to improve the environmental
sustainability of horticulture, especially in an urban/domestic context.
2023
- Quantitative Calculation of the Most Efficient LED Light Combinations at Specific Growth Stages for Basil Indoor
Horticulture: Modeling through Design of Experiments
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbi, Silvia; Barbieri, Francesco; Taurino, Claudia GERARDO; Bertacchini, Alessandro; Montorsi, Monia
abstract
Indoor farms are a promising way to obtain vegetables in standard quantity and quality.
As opposed to previous studies, this study attempts to calculate optimized LED light conditions for different growth stages (five-days time step) of basil (Ocimum basilicum) to enhance its indoor growth through a statistical approach. Design of Experiments (DoE) was used to plan a limited number of experiments (20) and to calculate quantitatively the effect of different light recipes on four responses: the number of plants, their height, the Leaf Area Index, and the amount of water used. Different proportions (from 25% to 77%) of Hyper Red (660 nm) and Deep Blue (451 nm),
intensities in terms of LEDs–plant distance (60, 70 and 80 cm), and the addition of Warm White (3000 K) LEDs were considered as independent variables. The obtained models suggest that a light recipe tailored for every growth step in the plant’s life is beneficial. Appropriate LEDs must be carefully chosen at the beginning of growth, whereas distance becomes relevant at the end. This is confirmed by the results analysis carried out at the end of an additional growth test where the optimal light recipe extracted from the DoE’s results were used.
2022
- Effects of Different LED Light Recipes and NPK Fertilizers on Basil Cultivation for Automated
and Integrated Horticulture Methods
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Barbi, Silvia; Barbieri, Francesco; Bertacchini, Alessandro; Barbieri, Luisa; Montorsi, Monia
abstract
2022
- Phase Change Material Evolution in Thermal Energy Storage Systems for the Building Sector, with a Focus on Ground-Coupled Heat Pumps
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbi, Silvia; Barbieri, Francesco; Marinelli, Simona; Rimini, Bianca; Merchiori, Sebastiano; Bottarelli, Michele; Montorsi, Monia
abstract
The building sector is responsible for a third of the global energy consumption and a
quarter of greenhouse gas emissions. Phase change materials (PCMs) have shown high potential
for latent thermal energy storage (LTES) through their integration in building materials, with the
aim of enhancing the efficient use of energy. Although research on PCMs began decades ago,
this technology is still far from being widespread. This work analyses the main contributions to
the employment of PCMs in the building sector, to better understand the motivations behind the
restricted employment of PCM-based LTES technologies. The main research and review studies are
critically discussed, focusing on: strategies used to regulate indoor thermal conditions, the variation
of mechanical properties in PCMs-based mortars and cements, and applications with ground-coupled
heat pumps. The employment of materials obtained from wastes and natural sources was also
taken in account as a possible key to developing composite materials with good performance and
sustainability at the same time. As a result, the integration of PCMs in LTES is still in its early stages,
but reveals high potential for employment in the building sector, thanks to the continuous design
improvement and optimization driven by high-performance materials and a new way of coupling
with tailored envelopes.
2022
- Statistical Optimization of a Hyper Red, Deep Blue, and White LEDs Light Combination for Controlled Basil Horticulture
[Capitolo/Saggio]
Barbi, Silvia; Barbieri, Francesco; Bertacchini, Alessandro; Montorsi, Monia
abstract
2022
- Suitability of Porous Inorganic Materials from Industrial Residues and Bioproducts for Use in Horticulture: A Multidisciplinary Approach
[Articolo su rivista]
Righi, Claudia; Barbieri, Francesco; Sgarbi, Elisabetta; Maistrello, Lara; Bertacchini, Alessandro; Andreola, Nora Maria; D’Angelo, Antonio; Catauro, Michelina; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
This study follows a circular economy approach through the preliminary implementation of a coated porous inorganic material (PIM), studied as sustainable controlled release fertilizer, and its application for lettuce Lactuca sativa L. cultivar Chiara growth. The PIM was made of pumice scraps that partially replaced clay as a natural raw material, spent coffee grounds as a porous agent, bovine bone ash and potassium carbonate to provide phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) nutrients, respectively. A coating made with defatted black soldier fly prepupae biomass was used as a nitrogen (N) source. Most of the ingredients used were industrial residues, with the aim of valorizing the raw waste materials present locally. The suitability of PIMs as a fertilizer was investigated with an interdisciplinary approach, which included the first chemical and physical characterization of the material, the evaluation of its antibacterial properties and of its use in horticulture through lettuce growth tests. As tests were carried out indoors, a specific LED lighting device was used to grow the lettuce. The release of nutrients into the soil was estimated by measuring the main elements in the fertilizers before and after their use in the soil. The first results from this characterization study support PIMs’ suitability for agronomic applications. The use of the PIMs suggested average higher dry weight (49%), fresh weight (112%), and leaf area (48%), compared to those with the use of a standard fertilizer soil, without the release of any dangerous element for the plant in the soil. These results are a promising beginning for the development of further studies already in progress on sustainable controlled-release fertilizers.
2021
- Effects of Different LED Light Recipes and NPK Fertilizers on Basil Cultivation for Automated and Integrated Horticulture Methods
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbi, Silvia; Barbieri, Francesco; Bertacchini, Alessandro; Barbieri, Luisa; Montorsi, Monia
abstract
This study aims to optimize the conditions for “Genovese” basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
germination and growth in an indoor environment suitable for horticulture through a synergic effect
of light and fertilizers addition. In fact, several studies determined that specific light conditions
are capable of enhancing basil growth, but this effect is highly dependent on the environmental
conditions. In this study, the effect of different light sources was determined employing a soil
with a negligible amount of fertilizer, demonstrating substantial improvement when light-emitting
diode (LED) lights (hyper red and deep blue in different combinations) were applied with respect to
daylight (Plants height: +30%, Total fresh mass: +50%). Thereafter, a design of experiment approach
has been implemented to calculate the specific combination of LED lights and fertilizer useful
to optimize the basil growth. A controlled-release fertilizer based on nitrogen, phosphorus, and
potassium (NPK) derived from agro-residues was compared with a soil enriched in macronutrients.
The results demonstrate significant improvements for the growth parameters with the employment
of the controlled-release NPK with respect to enriched soil combined with a ratio of hyper red and
deep blue LED light equal to 1:3 (Total fresh mass: +100%, Leaves number: +20%).
2021
- Phase change material-sand mixtures for distributed latent heat thermal energy storage: interaction and performance analysis
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbi, Silvia; Barbieri, Francesco; Marinelli, Simona; Rimini, Bianca; Merchiori, Sebastiano; Larwa, Barbara; Bottarelli, Michele; Montorsi, Monia
abstract
In this study two phase change materials (PCMs) mixed with sand were evaluated for distributed latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) coupled with a novel Flat-Panel ground heat exchanger (GHE) for shallow geothermal applications. N-Octadecane and a commercial paraffin-based PCM were mixed (30% v/v) separately with sand, which is commonly used as backfilling material for GHE. Both two mixtures underwent 16 thermal cycles and specimen’s temperatures and their variation over time were analyzed to evaluate phase change stability and supercooling. Grain size laser diffraction and pore analysis were performed together with optical microscopy, environmental scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-Ray spectrometry (ESEM-EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to evaluate PCMs-sand dynamic interaction over time and temperature. Results shown that sand addition halves n-Octadecane phase change time, although leading to a limited supercooling equal to 1 °C. Sand addition to commercial PCM leaded to a similar increasing in heat transfer, however in absence of supercooling phenomena. These performances were constant through 16 thermal cycles. Therefore, PCMs mixing in sand as mixture for GHEs backfilling material can be considered a strategy to enhance thermal storage of backfilling material, by increasing the underground thermal energy storage and then the exploitation carried out by shallow geothermal applications.
2021
- Statistical Optimization of a Hyper Red, Deep Blue, and White LEDs Light Combination for Controlled Basil Horticulture
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbi, Silvia; Barbieri, Francesco; Bertacchini, Alessandro; Montorsi, Monia
abstract
2020
- DESIGN AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CONTROLLED RELEASE PK FERTILIZERS FROM AGRO-RESIDUES
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbi, Silvia; Barbieri, Francesco; Andreola, Nora Maria; Lancellotti, Isabella; Martínez García, Carmen; Cotes Palomino, Teresa; Montorsi, Monia; Barbieri, Luisa
abstract
The aim of this study is to design and characterize a new controlled release fertilizers category by using valorization of residues
from agri-food, industrial and post consumers activities normally allocated into landfill disposal. The underlying strategy in
materials research fully agreed with the circular economy perspective and the more recent European legislation about critical raw
materials recovering. This study covers the development of lightweight aggregates, based on a local red clay (km 0 concept) and
pores former such as coffee grounds and brewery sludge. Functionalization has been performed with vegetable biomass and cattle
bone flour ashes, as received and after vitrification in a tailored fertilizer glass, containing high quantity of potassium and
phosphorous. Fully characterization by means of a multidisciplinary approach, including chemical, mineralogical, thermal, physical,
and plants growth in soils tests has been performed on starting and derived materials. Finally, growth test on basil’s plant have
demonstrated the beneficial effect of the aggregates designed and produced in this study in comparison with standard fertilizer
already on the market.
2020
- Preliminary Study on Sustainable NPK Slow-Release Fertilizers Based on Byproducts and Leftovers: A Design-of-Experiment Approach
[Articolo su rivista]
Barbi, Silvia; Barbieri, Francesco; Andreola, Fernanda; Lancellotti, Isabella; Barbieri, Luisa; Montorsi, Monia
abstract
In this study, an organic nitrogen-based coating was developed based on black soldier fly (BSF) prepupae reared on
poultry dejections and deposited on ceramic lightweight aggregates (LWAs), containing phosphorous (P) and potassium (K) from
agroresidues, leading to a complete nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer. To obtain a resistant coating with good
adhesion to LWAs, different plasticizing agents were tested (e.g., glycerol, cellulose, and polyethylene glycol). The coating
formulation was optimized through a design-of-experiment (DoE) approach to correlate the effect of each mixture component on
the coating’s performance. BSF biomass was characterized through chemical and thermal routes, as well as the final coated LWAs,
confirming their general agreement to fertilizer’s requirements. Release tests in static conditions highlighted the barrier action of the
coating, preventing uncontrolled release of potassium and phosphorus contained in the LWAs as well as the release of nitrogen after
21 days (near to 20%). Germination and growth tests indicated a valuable increase of the growth index, whereas the germination
process is limited by the coating barrier effect. This work proposes a new product in the field of slow-release fertilizers designed by
rational methodologies and innovative materials based on waste valorization, fully in agreement with a circular economy perspective