Carbon Chemist

Tag: The Innovation Platform Issue 18

  • Enabling the green shift with marine minerals

    Enabling the green shift with marine minerals

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    Copper is vital for the green energy transition, and as demand rises, companies are exploring the potential of marine minerals.

    The world is going through a major transition towards digitisation, electrification, and green energy.

    The major component going into all these subjects is copper: the metal that has the best electric conductivity, is easy to form, and is resilient for long-lasting applications.

    Copper has a high recycling rate, but copper’s demand will increase, and new reserves need to be added to the current reserves to ensure the future required stock.

    The last major copper discovery was made in 2018, and there will be a future squeeze on demand if the mining industry doesn’t manage to add to the reserve bank. The preliminary signs of the squeeze can be seen by looking at trading prices and the sudden plummeting of the treatment charge – not enough copper is being mined for it to be transformed into the final product.

    Green Minerals

    As the Norwegian Government opened for mineral activity in January 2024, Green Minerals (ENX: GEM) has positioned itself as a frontrunner and a pioneer before the launch of the first licensing round in 2024.

    The Norwegian Government started the process of opening the Norwegian and Greenland Seas to mineral activity with the Seabed Minerals Act in 2019. The schedule proposed when the act was approved has been strictly followed to this day. The process now moves into a new stage, and industrial actors are invited to take part.

    Green Minerals’ vision is to create a full marine minerals value chain where we operate and co-ordinate the license through partners and affiliation, a model that has shown great value for the state and companies within the offshore oil and gas industry that Norway has developed with great success over the last six decades.

    The Mohns and Knipovich ridges are located within the area the government has opened. They are ultra-slow spreading ridges with a high potential for hosting large Seafloor Massive Sulphide deposits, in-situ analogues of terrestrial Volcanogenic Massive Sulphides. These types of deposits have been mined by humans with high tonnages and high grades since copper was discovered as a metal. The potential of making large discoveries with high ore grades is significant for the first movers in the upcoming licensing round.

    Green Minerals is a first mover and has built strategic alliances to become a successful operator. Our portfolio includes several very interesting prospects that we are now investigating upon the first licensing round and are eager to be allowed to explore further. The authorities, together with academic institutions, have achieved the initial mapping of several interesting deposits and locations, and the related data (valued at more than $50m USD) have been released to the industry.

    Why go to the deep sea for copper?

    Copper has been mined by men since the stone age; it is the most important raw material in the industrial age. Marine minerals have been the source of copper from ophiolite complexes during the entire time; it has just been mined on land after continental drift has placed them above sea level and shuffled them around a bit, and temperature and pressure have metamorphosed the rocks. We now have the knowledge and technology to go where they form. Some have expressed concerns about deep-sea mining, but mining raw materials in locations where we will get the most metal-per-kg of rock with the least environmental impact must be considered. Extinct seafloor massive sulphide deposits along mid-ocean ridges show the potential of discoveries in the magnitude of 10s Mt of ore with Cu grades of 4-6% and potential of byproducts such as cobalt.

    A world-class consortium

    Since the late 1970s, we have known that lifting marine minerals is technically feasible (SEDCO in the Area). We also know that SMS can be extracted subsea and separated at the surface (JOGMEC, 2017). Nevertheless, these projects were test pilots, never designed to achieve commercial-scale production.

    Validating the technical and economic feasibility of the offshore mineral production system is necessary for us and consistent with our holistic approach to the value chain. Green Minerals have thus entered into an agreement with a consortium of internationally recognised actors.

    The consortium is led by the Oil States Industry (OSI), which delivered several riser systems to the marine mineral industry. Their riser equips The Metals Company (TMC) Hidden Gem and the Japanese research vessel, which recently completed a REE mud lifting trial.

    Soil Machine Dynamics (SMD) is responsible for the design of seafloor mining machines. SMD has a solid backtrack of designing and delivering subsea intervention equipment and is also known for having delivered the subsea production tools of the former Nautilus Minerals, who endeavoured to mine SMS in the Bismark Sea.

    marine minerals

    The last piece of the puzzle is the participation of a pumping solutions provider that has supplied miners all over the world. After working for more than a year, we are concluding our concept study, which addresses the singularities of the Norwegian environment: harsh weather and long distance between the future work sites and the shore.

    Our Chief Engineer’s PhD research has already highlighted the necessity of addressing ship-to-ship operations, which significantly contribute to the efficiency of a DSM system. Such operations include ore-offloading from the mining vessel to the bulk carrier, the transfer of personnel at sea, and other logistics issues.

    Our concept is disruptive as many of the existing concepts assumed that ore would have to be stored on the mining vessel.

    However, after investigating other solutions, we concluded that ore did not need to be stored on the mining vessel. We decided to transfer the dewatering and storing function to the ore carrier.

    Enabling this functionality, we selected a technical solution using an O&G technology known as a disconnectable turret, a technology originally designed to enable the seasonal removal of FPSO in the Arctic. This technology allows us to positively decouple relative vessel motion challenges and act as a plug-and-play for the ore carrier: when an ore carrier is at full capacity, production halts, the disconnectable turret is lowered at a predefined storage depth and is ready for pick-up by the stand-by empty ore-carrier.

    As a bonus, helicopter transfer of personnel is enabled as both the ore carrier and the semi-submersible are positively separated over a short distance and extremely stable, the two vessels being moored and not relying on dynamic positioning. The financials obtained during the concept study validate our preliminary assumptions, and we have not identified any showstoppers.

    Can we process marine minerals?

    The first study Green Minerals initiated was to understand the geometallurgy and processability of marine ore. Very little has been done on this subject over the years. As a junior mining company, it is vital to get control of the economics further into the value chain: no possible beneficiation equals no revenue and thus no rationale for exploration.

    The Finnish Geological Survey (GTK), a globally recognised institution in the mining industry, thoroughly studied and characterised grab samples representative of ore from the Mid-Atlantic ridge to understand the ore mineralogy and texture and decide on the best processing methodology.

    The specimens showed a very high abundance of coarse-grained pyrite, with relatively fine-grained chalcopyrite and chalcocite as other dominant minerals. Given the results of the geometallurgical characterisation, a standard flotation test was concluded to determine the concentrate grade and recovery factor of this type of deposit.

    Another important axis of the testing programme was to blend subsea ore with existing ore from an operating low-grade Copper terrestrial mine to validate their genetic compatibility. The results of the test processing were above all expectations. Copper recovery results showed performance similar to land-based standards without additional treatments of the concentrate.

    Further investigation is under consideration for recovering cobalt.

    Why blend land and ocean ore?

    Several copper mines in the Nordic countries have decreasing grades as they have been mined for several years. As the mine empties for good ore, the profitability of the marginal ore decreases. If we were able to blend with higher-grade ore from offshore mines, we could valorise marginal ore and subsequently extend the Life-Of-Mine. Within this scenario we do not need to build a concentrate facility for marine mines, and you can rationalise further existing facilities without using more ‘virgin’ soils.

    What’s next for Green Minerals?

    Norwegian authorities have recently started the award process for commercial licenses in the Norwegian-Greenland Sea; GEM has been working towards the opening for several years and has put a major effort into being in the best position possible for the first round.

    Looking at Norwegian resource management history with the offshore oil and gas adventure starting in the ‘60s, all major oil and gas fields were discovered in licenses awarded in the early rounds, and the chance for history to repeat itself for deep-sea mining in Norwegian waters is high.

    Please note, this article will also appear in the 18th edition of our quarterly publication.

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  • A globally significant heavy rare earth deposit

    A globally significant heavy rare earth deposit

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    Namibia Critical Metals, together with its strategic partner, JOGMEC, is rapidly accelerating development of its flagship Lofdal heavy rare earth deposit in Namibia.

    Namibia Critical Metals Inc. (TSXV:NMI  OTCQB:NMREF) is developing the Tier-1 heavy rare earth project, Lofdal, which is a major deposit of the heavy rare earth metals dysprosium and terbium.

    Demand for these critical metals used in permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other electronics is driven by innovations linked to energy and technology transformations.

    The geopolitical risks associated with sourcing many of these metals have become a repeated concern for manufacturers and end users. Namibia is a proven and stable mining jurisdiction. The Lofdal project is fully permitted with a 25-year Mining License and is under a Joint Venture Agreement with the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).

    About heavy rare earths

    Dysprosium and terbium, alongside neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr), are critical metals required to make permanent magnets for EV motors. Historically, China has had a stronghold on the heavy rare earths market. Japan is ahead of other Western economies in terms of limiting that overwhelming dependence on China.

    Still, North America and Europe are starting to catch up in the scramble to wean off from Chinese supply. Lofdal is a mainly dysprosium and terbium deposit and one of only two xenotime-type heavy rare earth deposits under development in the world, as far as we are aware.

    Strong partnership

    In 2020, Namibia Critical Metals entered a transformational transaction with the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), a state agency with a multi-billion dollar annual budget and a mandate to secure the supply of natural resources for Japanese industry. A decade ago, JOGMEC did a JV with a little-known light rare earth Australian explorer that is now one of the largest rare earth companies in the world, Lynas Rare Earths. After funding Lynas with over US$300m to date to secure a supply of light rare earths, JOGMEC has turned its eyes to Lofdal as a potential long-term supplier of dysprosium and terbium. Japan is the biggest consumer of dysprosium after China.

    Under the JV agreement, JOGMEC can fund C$20m in exploration and development, with the right to earn a 50% interest in Lofdal. JOGMEC can also purchase another 1% for a controlling stake, at which stage NCMI can either participate at 44% or dilute to a carried working interest of no less than 21%. Besides securing project financing, possibly with no further dilution for our shareholders, through this transaction, we are also receiving an operator fee that covers many of our overheads.

    As of this date, JOGMEC has secured an initial interest of 40% in the project by meeting the $10m expenditure requirement for Term 1 and Term 2. JOGMEC has committed additional funds to the ongoing exploration and development programme for Term 3, and the total committed funding for the project now totals C$14,541,000 through 31 March 2025.

    The Company is currently completing a corporate restructuring to facilitate JOGMEC’s holding of its initial 40% interest in the Lofdal project as they move into Term 3 of the agreement.

    Darrin Campbell, CEO of Namibia Critical Metals, said: “Our joint venture with JOGMEC has delivered tremendous results with a six-fold increase in our resource, securing a 25-year mining licence and delivering a very robust Preliminary Economic Assessment in November 2022 for a much larger planned mining operation and we work towards delivering a Pre-Feasibility Study in late 2024. We firmly believe that Lofdal will be a globally significant source of heavy rare earths.”

    Darrin explained: “Most rare earth projects contain mainly light rare earths, meaning that they can produce little or negligible amounts of dysprosium and terbium,” pointing out that the quantity of heavy rare earth metals the Lofdal Project can produce is a real competitive advantage.

    Another advantage is the project’s actual location. One of the biggest challenges for the rare earth industry is China’s continued stranglehold and dominance in the supply and processing of natural resources. The geopolitical risks associated with sourcing many of these metals have become a repeated concern for manufacturers and end users.

    By contrast, Namibia is a stable mining jurisdiction that supports and recognises the importance of mining to the country. Darrin said: “There is little mining activity in north-western Namibia, and the discovery of an economic deposit in this region would have significant economic benefits for the local population. We have established excellent relationships with all levels of government, as well as with the wider community in which we work.”

    Impressions from the handover of school uniforms at Primary Schools in Khorixas and Fransfontein

    Project milestones

    In 2020, the company published an impressive increase to its 2012 maiden resource with the filing of an updated NI 43-101 Resource Estimate. A very valid criticism in the past was that the project was too small, with a resource of only six million tonnes and a life of mine of seven years. These early criticisms have been completely dispelled: After a significant drilling campaign in 2020, we increased the size of our resource from 6 MT to an impressive 53 MT, with 4.7 million kilogrammes of contained dysprosium and 725,000kg of terbium.

    In October 2022, a robust Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) was filed, incorporating the new larger resource and significant investment in processing and beneficiation. The PEA showed an increased mine life from seven years to 16 years and an after-tax NPV of USD$391m.

    In 2023, the company completed an 11,000m in-fill drilling campaign, significantly increasing the resource. The updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate, announced on 9 April 2024, shows another 38% increase in contained dysprosium and a 39% increase in contained terbium in the Inferred resources.

    Darrin stated: “We are very pleased with the continued success of our development approach at Lofdal. With just under 11,000m of drilling last year, we have increased the overall contained rare earth tonnage by an impressive 37%. The Measured and Indicated resource shells at Lofdal 2B and four contain over 4,500 tonnes of dysprosium oxide and over 690 tonnes of terbium oxide, which clearly establishes Lofdal as a globally significant heavy rare earth deposit. The updated resource will be incorporated into our Pre-Feasibility Study for ‘Lofdal 2B-4’ currently underway and expected to be completed in Q3 2024.”

    © shutterstock/Hendrik Werner

    ESG Activities

    Darrin affirms: “We’ve always put a major focus on local employment and supporting the communities in which we work; we have a very strong ESG and Corporate Outreach Programme in Namibia.” Social projects include support for a local orphanage and the recent establishment of an early learners’ programme to support children’s education.

    The Company expanded its ‘Early Learner’s Assistance Program’ with the start of the 2023 school year. The Company handed over 200 school uniforms and backpacks to five primary schools situated around the Lofdal project, four schools in Khorixas and one in Fransfontein. The handover ceremonies were accompanied by the co-ordinator of the Early Learner’s Assistance Program from the Ministry of Education, representatives from the Traditional Authority, Conservancies, and the company.

    Darrin Campbell stated: “I am extremely proud of the work our team has done in the communities surrounding our project in Namibia. We have been very involved in supporting our communities for over a decade with ongoing financial support for a local orphanage in Khorixas, providing drilled water wells for local farmers near Lofdal and now the start of our Early Learner’s Assistance Program. We have modelled this fantastic programme after the programme that was created by our corporate shareholder, Bannerman Energy, a few years ago, for which they were awarded this year’s Mining Indaba ESG Forum Award for Community Engagement.”

    As a result of these and other efforts our team has made over the years to engage with our communities, NCMI and the Lofdal Project were recently elected as CSR Best Practices by the Namibian Association of Community-Based Natural Resource Management (NACSO).

    Please note, this article will also appear in the 18th edition of our quarterly publication.

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  • University of Manitoba advances social and economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples

    University of Manitoba advances social and economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples

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    Through research and collaboration, the University of Manitoba is addressing the growing challenges facing Indigenous peoples, advancing food systems and climate change mitigation as part of its reconciliation efforts.

    Situated at the midpoint between Western and Eastern Canada, the Province of Manitoba has the largest, most diverse, and fastest-growing Indigenous population in North America. It’s flagship post-secondary institution, the University of Manitoba (UM), is a leader in research, innovation, and collaboration. As a driving force for progressive thought and transformational change, we are uniquely positioned to lead the way in advancing reconciliation.

    Our institution is committed not only to fostering the intellectual growth of researchers and students but also to helping re-shape the narrative of reconciliation with the leaders of tomorrow.

    Located on the Canadian Prairies, the original lands of the Indigenous peoples of the Anishinaabeg, Ininewuk, Anisininewuk, Dakota Oyate, and Denesuline, and the National Homeland of the Red River Métis, UM is a Prairie institution that embraces the Indigenous peoples and roots of the land by advancing social and economic reconciliation through bold, transformational research initiatives. We are also engaged with the Inuit people who inhabit Northern Manitoba.

    UM’s central priority is to advance human rights and social justice as part of its renewed research agenda. This priority includes building on our research strengths in water and food security and sovereignty, and partnering with Indigenous rightsholders to develop future trading pathways through the Hudson Bay to transform connectivity, strengthen regional and global supply chains, and secure economic prosperity for local Indigenous communities.

    Dr B Mario Pinto

    Our research priorities are informed by the unifying concept of ‘One Health and Underserved Communities’, an interdisciplinary approach to individual and community health that recognises the intersection of financial, environmental, logistical, and social factors that influence community health and well-being.

    Reimagining food systems for climate change adaptation, mitigation, and social justice

    Access to food and fresh water is an essential need of all communities and peoples and is inextricably linked to the economic, social, and environmental health of our planet. However, both climate change and inequities impede such access.

    Climate change has threatened access to food and fresh water by altering weather patterns, causing shifts in precipitation, salinity, and ocean temperatures, and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. These shifts continue to affect water and food security locally, nationally, and globally.

    Though roughly 20% of the world’s freshwater is contained within Canada’s borders, many First Nations and Inuit families in Canada continue to be among the billions of people worldwide lacking access to safe drinking water through systemic inequities including a lack of water sovereignty.

    Motivated by these threats and inequities, UM researchers and scholars across disciplines and in the creative arts are actively engaging in interdisciplinary research to raise awareness about the complex interconnectedness between water, food security, and socio-environmental issues, promote innovative strategies, and inspire action toward sustainable solutions.

    The Reimagining Food Systems (RFS) project is one of UM’s initiatives where researchers are actively working to tackle these serious barriers to food and water security.

    Led by Dr David Levin, UM Professor of Biosystems Engineering, in collaboration with Bruce Hardy, President and CEO of Myera Group Inc., this project is a bold endeavour to mitigate climate-related risks to food security, human health, and living standards in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

    Through this project, we hope to empower rights holders to participate in policy formulation and hold accountable those who have a duty to act.

    Guided by the principles of a ‘circular economy’ with deep roots in Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being, RFS leverages the ongoing work of Myera Group Inc., an Indigenous-led corporate body based in Manitoba. It was created to advance food systems technologies in Indigenous communities and promote health and food security.

    These principles include stewardship of the land and ecosystem services, which can potentially impact water use, waste reduction, and wealth generation. RFS also incorporates ‘food as medicine’, acknowledging that Indigenous and local peoples possess vast knowledge of traditional medicines and the nutritional benefits of their traditional foods.

    Integrating the knowledge, skills, and experiences of Indigenous peoples, riparian, and low-income populations, especially women, with the analysis from global researchers, RFS is a participatory project identifying existing challenges and developing strategies to address them.

    This visionary project seeks to enhance food security by respecting and mobilising the rights of systemically disadvantaged people worldwide. It will decentralise and de-scale global trade to local, circular economies by amplifying local knowledge and tradition and repairing relationships with land and water to restore ecosystem health.

    Developing sustainable integrated multi-trophic ecosystems

    Myera’s Integrated Multi-Trophic Ecosystem (IMTE) offers a unique approach to sustainable aquatic food production. IMTE imitates a natural ecosystem by amalgamating the farming of varied, compatible species from different levels of the food chain. It also takes the byproducts of one aquatic species and repurposes them as fertiliser or food for another.

    By converting these byproducts from aquatic species into harvestable crops, the approach increases environmental and economic sustainability in vulnerable communities, reducing waste while increasing food security.

    Numerous iterations of the IMTE research have been conducted in different countries to better understand the environmental, economic, and sociopolitical complexities of the global value chain. The concept has the potential to revolutionise the future of aquaculture.

    REACH – Reimagining Arctic and Central Canada accessibility through Hudson Bay

    UM boasts a far-reaching legacy as a leader in Arctic and Prairie research, with a particular focus on climate change and its effects on Arctic Sea ice, adaptations by Indigenous communities, and climate change mitigation in agricultural production.

    Our university has also prioritised research on related water issues, such as carbon capture, storage, and other chemical and biochemical processes, contaminants in seawater and associated risks to food chains, and mitigation of marine oil spills.

    As climate change continues to rapidly reduce sea ice flows in the Hudson Bay region, UM researchers have seized upon a unique opportunity to transform the accessibility of the Arctic and Central Canada.

    Led by Dr Feiyue Wang, UM Professor and Canada Research Chair in Arctic Environmental Chemistry, and co-designed and co-led by Indigenous community leaders from Western Hudson Bay, the REACH project focuses on strengthening accessibility in the Arctic and Central Canada through the creation of a new port with the potential to dramatically alter regional and global accessibility and secure economic prosperity for the region.

    Aided by technological advancements, this reimagined pathway has the potential to transform community and regional connectivity and economic futures and strengthen regional and global supply chains. Researchers will co-develop a framework, using both Indigenous knowledge and Western science, to evaluate benefits and impacts, determine feasibility, and mitigate risks to support what could be a nation-building development opportunity to unlock economic and social benefits for local communities.

    Pictured here is The Churchill Marine Observatory, a UM multidisciplinary research facility located in Churchill, Manitoba overlooking the Northern Lights. The facility is an integral part of the REACH project

    The possible benefits of this endeavour include better affordability for people living in Northern and remote regions, opportunities for economic development and job creation in communities through education and training, and enhanced Indigenous sovereignty to improve health and well-being for First Nations and Inuit peoples in the region.

    Providing solutions for society through research

    As we look toward the future, global societal challenges are evident, and the necessity of creative research solutions to address these problems has never been greater.

    Our focus on innovation across the ecosystem will translate into industry productivity for the entire country. Such innovation will benefit Canada by empowering the next generation of leaders to think big and take risks.

    Successful collaboration is the beating heart of innovation, and UM is committed to fostering fruitful, purpose-driven, cross-sector collaborations between academic researchers and industry, government, clinical, and community partners to secure our collective success and well-being.

    By prioritising these collaborative partnershi UM is forging a sustainable path from discovery to impact that translates to solutions for society, providing the conditions for creative innovation to thrive and signalling that the research we do matters.

    Please note, this article will also appear in the 18th edition of our quarterly publication.

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  • What makes aviation fuel more sustainable?

    What makes aviation fuel more sustainable?

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    Gaynor Hartnell, Chief Executive of the Renewable Transport Fuel Association (RTFA), discusses what measures will make aviation fuel more sustainable.

    The RTFA is a recently formed and rapidly growing trade association dedicated to promoting the uptake of renewable and low carbon transport fuels. This article looks at renewable routes to making jet fuel looking at the feedstocks and their availability, discusses the policies driving the uptake of this sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the challenges in establishing a domestic SAF manufacturing industry.

    About decarbonising transport

    Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from aviation are growing, and transport is now the largest GHG-emitting sector of the UK economy. Sustainable aviation fuel has a huge role to play in reducing these emissions.

    When it comes to replacing fossil-kerosene jet fuels with alternatives, SAF is quicker and far cheaper than moving to hydrogen or battery-powered flights. For longer-haul flights, there is no alternative to SAF. It is also lower in terms of lifecycle GHG emissions than the zero tailpipe emission options.

    Fig. 1: Greenhouse gas emissions by sector, 2021 (DESNZ, 2023)

    SAF and infrastructure

    Switching from fossil fuel to renewable fuel generally means the same infrastructure can be used (e.g., vehicles, ships, fuel storage tanks, fuel distribution pipelines), but carbon emissions are slashed. Zero tailpipe solutions involve changing the infrastructure as well as the additional costs involved in producing the power or hydrogen in the first place. Inevitably, this is far more costly.

    Targets for decarbonisation

    Many jurisdictions are bringing in policies to boost the uptake of sustainable aviation fuel, as well as global target setting, by way of the November 2023 ICAO target. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a United Nations agency which helps 193 countries co-operate and share their skies to their mutual benefit. In November, it was agreed to strive to achieve a collective global vision to reduce CO2 emissions in international aviation by 5% by 2030.1  Whilst 5% may not seem an ambitious level in comparison with country-specific targets, it has the merit of its near-universal coverage.

    The UK’s SAF Mandate, which will begin in January 2025, targets a 10% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030. Europe’s ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation will require jet fuel to comprise 6% SAF by 2030, rising to 70% by 2050.

    The US has an ‘SAF Grand Challenge,’ which aims to achieve 3 billion gallons per year of domestic SAF production with a minimum 50% reduction in GHGs by 2030. This will increase to 100% of projected domestic aviation jet fuel use by 2050.

    When contrasting these different policies, there is a danger of comparing apples with oranges; the main things to note are the differing eligibility criteria on feedstocks and whether the targets are based on a GHG reduction or a volumetric basis.

    The UK’s policy is GHG-based. With this approach, 50% of sustainable aviation fuel with a 50% GHG-saving compared to kerosene is equivalent to 25% SAF with a 100% GHG saving. With a volumetric approach, for a fuel to be regarded as SAF it must meet or exceed a minimum GHG-saving. The US GHG threshold is a 50% saving, whereas the EU threshold is 65% (and 70% for power to liquids).

    Other countries with SAF policies either currently operating or announced, include India, Indonesia, Norway, Canada, Brazil, and Turkey.

    Feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel production

    Which feedstocks are eligible for sustainable aviation fuel production from a policy point of view is different from whether SAFs are eligible from a safety point of view. The latter is dealt with by fuel certification, which works on the basis of particular feedstocks and conversion pathways. Dealing first with eligibility from the policy perspective, this generally takes into account things such as:

    • Is there a food versus fuel or land use concern regarding particular feedstocks?
    • Are some feedstocks limited in terms of overall availability?
    • Do some kinds of SAF cost more to produce and therefore need extra incentivisation?

    SAFs made from crops are not eligible under the UK or EU SAF Mandates due to land use concerns, whereas they are eligible in the US.

    It is generally acknowledged that there won’t be enough oily waste feedstocks (which are the cheapest to convert into SAF), and therefore other waste feedstocks and the power-to-liquid (PtL) conversion route will be required. The UK and EU mandates, therefore, have sub-targets for PtL. The US Grand SAF challenge offers greater tax incentives for SAF, which achieves higher GHG savings than the 50% threshold but does not have any explicit targets for PtL or waste-based SAF.

    There are four very broad feedstock groups for making SAF (or indeed any kind of liquid or gaseous fuel), these being:

    • Purpose-grown crops
    • Oily or fatty wastes, such as used cooking oil
    • Solid biomass and wastes, and
    • Electricity and CO2, the feedstocks for making PtL fuel.

    It is also possible to ferment industrial waste gases which contain carbon monoxide, producing a simple alcohol which can be further processed.

    Crops and oily feedstocks

    Purpose-grown oilseed crops and oily wastes are the cheapest materials to convert into fuel. In simple terms, they are oily liquids already, so they need relatively little processing to convert into an oily liquid fuel. Aviation fuel made this way is known as HEFA (hydro-processed esters and fatty acids).

    Solid feedstocks

    Solid wastes and agricultural residues need more processing to turn into liquid fuel, making this route more expensive than the HEFA pathway. However, it is still cheaper than PtL, as the feedstocks themselves contain energy.

    With feedstocks such as residual Municipal Solid Waste (i.e., what’s left after recycling), some of the energy (e.g., plastic film) comprises fossil fuel.  If using plastics in this way delivers significant carbon savings against the counterfactual (incineration with electricity generation), the resultant fuel is referred to as RCF (Recycled Carbon Fuel). Both the UK and the EU allow RCF to be incentivised in renewable fuel policies.

    It’s five times better for the environment to make fuel out of residual MSW than to generate electricity from it², because much of our electricity is already zero carbon, whereas our transport fuels are almost entirely fossil fuel.

    Power-to-liquid

    When it comes to PtL fuels, all the energy involved comes from the power source. For PtL fuel to be green (i.e., low to zero carbon) the power source must be low to zero carbon in the first place, i.e., renewable electricity (or nuclear power).

    The process involves electrolysing water to make hydrogen and oxygen and reacting the hydrogen with carbon dioxide to make a simple hydrocarbon gas _ methane. More chemistry can be carried out on this methane to build up bigger hydrocarbon molecules which are a direct substitute for fuels made from crude oil.

    Fig. 2: Source: Waypoint 2050, ATAG, p48

    Resource availability

    There is a global trade in biomass feedstocks. As decarbonisation progresses, more demand for feedstocks will be created, and supply chains will be developed to meet that demand. The collection of UCO and other waste fatty materials is gaining pace, but it is recognised that ultimately, this feedstock will be constrained in terms of availability. See the ‘production today’ curve in the Fig. 3.

    As electrification picks up pace in vehicles (including trains), more and more of the feedstocks that had been used to substitute for petrol and diesel will become available for use in other transport modes. In addition, feedstock supply chains, know-how and production capacity will grow for converting biomass and solid wastes to fuel. See the ‘2nd generation’ curve in Fig. 3.

    Power to liquid (PtL) capacity will have to expand to meet the shortfall, shown in Fig. 3.

    Ultimately all fossil fuel sources will need to be replaced, and all the world’s fuel will need to come from renewable sources. The same goes for the other things that use fossil fuels in their production, from plastics to pharmaceuticals and synthetic fibres to car tyres. The objective should be keeping the fossil carbon under the ground in the first place.

    Making safe sustainable aviation fuel

    Jet fuel comprises around 15–20% by volume of aromatics (ring-shaped hydrocarbons). Aromatics interact with rubbery materials such as gaskets and valves in engines or fuel storage equipment in a different way than other hydrocarbons. They dissolve into the rubber more and swell it. Therefore, a valve that would be fuel-tight at a certain proportion of aromatic components may leak if the proportion is lower.

    Most kinds of aviation fuel have a much lower aromatics content by virtue of the chemical pathway by which they have been produced. Whilst this is a virtue (as aromatics are a key factor behind contrail formation), there must be enough aromatic content to be compatible with modern planes and fuelling infrastructure. Careful attention is therefore paid to it (along with various other parameters) during the certification of aviation fuel.

    The international standard for jet fuel quality is governed by the ASTM (the American Society for Testing and Materials). It runs the standard for conventional jet fuel (ASTM D1655) as well as ASTM D7566, which is the ‘Standard Specification for Aviation Turbine Fuel Containing Synthesized Hydrocarbons’. It describes the fuel quality specifications for each qualified SAF production pathway.

    For a new SAF production pathway to be included in D7566, the fuel must undergo extensive testing to define the maximum blend ratio with conventional jet fuel and demonstrate such blend is fit for purpose. Different ways of making fuel (i.e., different fuel production ‘pathways’) result in fuels of different proportions of aromatic components. It is this which determines how much can be blended with fossil jet fuel. Most types of SAF can be blended at 50%, some at 10% and some at only 5%.

    At the moment, there are 11 SAF pathways certified under ASTM, and another 11 are currently under evaluation.³

    Fig 3: The three generational waves SAF production
    Source : https://www.icf.com/insights/aviation/requirements-sustainable-aviation-fuel-financing

    The challenges of moving to SAF

    These are not in short supply, but on the other hand there is huge desire amongst various parties to make progress in greening aviation. Each group of stakeholders in the value chain has a part to play (including airlines, airports, fuel supply companies and investors), but I focus below on the challenges facing SAF project developers.

    The technology is new. All the projects under development in the UK at the moment will be ‘first of a kind’ (Foak) projects. Project developers face a number of risks when it comes to securing finance and building their plants:

    • Price risk—what price will they be paid for their SAF? To satisfy lenders, this needs to be secure or at least have an acceptable floor price underpinning it. SAF is more expensive than kerosene to manufacture; HEFA is roughly double the cost, and PtL is around 6-10 times the cost.
    • Regulatory risk – are they confident the rules relating to the SAF mandate or regulatory regime they are operating under will not change in any way that would undermine them?
    • Construction risk – will there be over-runs or challenges in the build-out of the project
    • Volume risk – will they be able to sell all the SAF they produce?
    • Will the technology work as predicted; will the feedstock be available?
    • As SAF is a globally-traded commodity, will there be a level playing field in world trade terms, or put another way, will the UK’s trade remedies regime protect them against competition from imported, subsidised fuels?

    The project developers will try to place these where they are best managed and must convince project lending bank(s) that their projects are viable. The price risk is generally recognised as the most challenging and as the price is largely determined by the SAF Mandate, it is only really the UK Government that can mitigate it. The lower the risk, the lower the cost of capital.

    In recognition of this, the UK government has committed to introducing a Revenue Certainty Mechanism.⁴ By the time you are reading this article, the Government will have issued a consultation document setting out its preferred option for revenue certainty and a year after that, report to Parliament on progress towards implementing it. Once this is in place, hopefully by the end of 2026, the UK should be poised to really make headway in establishing a domestic SAF industry.

    Conclusion

    The aviation industry and Governments world-wide are recognising that a transition to sustainable aviation fuel is imperative, although massively challenging. The UK has set its sights on establishing a domestic industry and setting exemplary sustainability standards. The very welcome confirmation from the DfT regarding the specifics of how the SAF mandate will work, and their consultation on a Revenue Certainty Mechanism, are both positive developments. By getting the policy right, the UK can create the right conditions to allow a domestic sustainable aviation fuel production industry to establish and potentially export IP and expertise elsewhere.

    References

    1. ICAO Conference delivers strong global framework to implement a
      clean energy transition for international aviation
    2. Make SAF, not electricity from household waste, urges boss of UK’s
      largest airports group
    3. ICAO – Environment – Conversion processes
    4. Department for Transport – New measures to support sustainable
      aviation fuel industry

    Please note, this article will also appear in the 18th edition of our quarterly publication.

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  • A leading clinical research organisation with an academic advantage

    A leading clinical research organisation with an academic advantage

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    MHICC is a clinical research organisation and trusted partner in the execution of investigator-initiated trials and pharmaceutical/biotech clinical programmes with decentralised trial solutions.

    The Montreal Health Innovations Coordinating Center (MHICC) is a full-service academic clinical research organisation (CRO) servicing the academic community and the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, nutritional and medical device industries.

    The MHICC’s flexible, dynamic and fully integrated ‘a la carte’ services will support your Phase I to IV clinical projects, from protocol conception, data management, and biostatistics to delivery of clinical study reports.

    Founded in 2001 to accompany growing clinical research activities in cardiology at the globally recognised Montreal Heart Institute (MHI), the MHICC scope has since expanded across multiple therapeutic areas.

    Academic or private CRO?

    There are pros and cons to either one. The academic clinical research organisation will harness scientific and medical expertise at lower fees, often with tools and systems that may not fully meet the regulatory requirements and/or the sponsor’s expectations.

    On the other hand, the private CRO will propose advanced platforms that meet the regulatory requirements but with a hefty price tag. Luckily, you no longer have to choose!

    The MHICC represents the best of both worlds. Offering state-of-the-art digital platforms and tools (CTMS, eTMF, eCRF, eQMS, safety database, etc.), this academic CRO distinguishes itself through its ability to conduct hybrid or decentralised clinical trials while remaining affordable. Our new MeTRO platform eases patient involvement throughout the clinical evaluation process, thus allowing patients to participate in studies from the comfort of their homes.

    clinical trial
    © shutterstock/Alfa Photo

    The academic advantage

    With nearly 25 years of experience conducting clinical trials with globally renowned investigators, the MHICC has established itself as a reliable partner to drive your projects forward.

    Being an academic institution, the potential for joint submission of grant proposals for projects with the greatest potential to advance health-related fundamental or health outcomes becomes a clear advantage. With its commitment to helping and supporting researchers and start-ups to carry their innovations to the finish line, the MHICC is your partner of choice.

    Numerous discoveries made in academic laboratories end up shelved because of a lack of strategic development. The chain of innovation that brings lab discovery to the market is too often fragmented or incomplete. The MHICC fills the gap, playing a key role in the strategic path and navigating through all clinical trial phases that lead to commercialisation.

    Whether you are an investigator or a pharmaceutical/MedTech firm, the tailored-fee approach based on the range of technology can accommodate all your research needs. The MHICC’s unique positioning further distinguishes itself by its access to MHI-integrated state-of-the-art capabilities in pharmacogenomics, imaging biomarkers, biobank and core laboratories.

    Why partner with a Canadian CRO?

    Canada is a highly regulated market, and through Horizon Europe’s funding programme, exciting new opportunities for international collaboration will develop, strengthening the impact of research and innovation in tackling major global challenges.

    Montreal’s growing popularity is seen as the perfect equilibrium between Europe and America. The MHICC installations are nested within a unique health science ecosystem formed of four universities, multiple world-class research centres, institutes and major academic hospitals.

    Furthermore, as a growth strategy for the province’s economy, the Québec Government has prioritised the health sciences sector. In this evolving ecosystem, the MHICC is multiplying its collaborations with new clinical trial players with the same objective to improve clinical research and ultimately improve patient lives worldwide.

    What else do you need to optimise your clinical trial?

    First and foremost, access to patients is critical. Patient enrolment is a given, but retention and follow-up are equally important.

    At the MHICC, we conduct patient-centred trials using virtual and/or hybrid models. For traditional trials, we choose suitable sites from our global network of research physicians and collaborators (4,500 clinical sites across 35 countries).

    To enhance participant experience as well as to drive higher quality outcomes, the MHICC connects with its patient partnerships. Patient engagement is increasingly recognised as an integral part of healthcare and a critical component of clinical trials.

    Given the complexity and challenges of a clinical programme, it is crucial to partner with an experienced team and a network of key opinion leaders to help you design and deliver your trial. Our track record speaks for itself, with over two decades of experience working alongside our network of key opinion leaders across the globe. The expansion of virtual trials has led to a more collaborative work-type environment, and this network is constantly evolving.

    Our passion, dedication and expertise are only a call away. If you need a full-service clinical research organisation with the feel of a tight-knit family, look no further. Together, we will lead your trial to success.

    Please note, this article will also appear in the 18th edition of our quarterly publication.

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  • A diverse and dedicated research institution

    A diverse and dedicated research institution

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    The Université du Québec, a renowned research institution, details its recent achievements and research specialties in its effort to improve Canadian lives through diverse research into the world’s most pressing challenges.

    Université du Québec (UQ) is a network of ten higher education and research institutions that offer more than 1,400 programmes across all academic levels. Spread across Québec in nearly 40 municipalities, the network has a student body of nearly 100,000, solidifying UQ’s position as the largest French-speaking university in North America.

    About to embark on new research efforts facilitated by Pillar II of Horizon Europe, the Université du Québec discusses the key areas of research and notable achievements that have established the institution as one of Canada’s top research universities.

    What topics does the university specialise in?

    UQ’s scientific communities are innovating to find answers to issues specific to their communities. They actively contribute to the development of science and Québec through their internationally recognised expertise in all scientific areas.

    UQ is one of Canada’s top research universities. Its scientific community receives more than $378m annually in research funding, nearly 40% of which comes from the private sector (private companies and non-profit organisations) as well as from federal and provincial departments and agencies.

    In response to the regional manifestations of global challenges, UQ’s cutting-edge research aligns in many ways with the targeted issues and themes of the Horizon Europe programme, to which science is called upon to respond.

    These include strategic areas of excellence such as green energy, digital technology, sustainable healthcare, climate change adaptation, responsible natural resource management, social inclusion, and healthcare system governance.

    What have the key achievements of Université du Québec been in the past few years?

    In the spring of 2024, the Governments of Canada and France established the research network FC Clean H2: Moving France and Canada to a Low-Carbon Hydrogen Future. This network is an initiative of the French National Research Network on Hydrogen Energy (FRH2) and Institut de recherche sur l’hydrogène (IRH) at Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR).

    This joint Canadian and French venture aims to develop renewable hydrogen (H2-R) production technologies. They will achieve this through interactions between their respective laboratories, fostering exchanges between researchers and their ability to respond to calls for transatlantic research projects.

    The Advanced Laser Light Source Laboratory (ALLS) of Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) is a world-class research facility focused on developing a new type of laser with groundbreaking applications. Supported by the leadership of Professor François Légaré and currently directed by researcher Heide Ibrahim, the Advanced Laser Light Source laboratory enables the development of radiation sources ranging from infrared to very high-energy X-rays, producing ultra-short pulses.

    Other research conducted at UQ focuses on both the social issues of digital technology and society’s adoption of its tools. At Université TÉLUQ, the research activities conducted by I2A (the applied AI institute, website in French) and Dot-Lab (Data Science Laboratory) include AI applications such as healthcare decision-making support, COVID-19, and mobile healthcare.

    The Communications and Microelectronic Integration Laboratory (LaCIME) is one of the largest research laboratories at École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS), including 20 researchers and 200 graduate students. From the smallest devices and circuits to the most complex terrestrial and satellite communications and navigation systems, the LaCIME lab covers a wide range of exciting research fields. LaCIME’s research projects involve applying communication devices and sensors to climate action, civil security, and healthcare, among other uses.

    At Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO), the Partnership on University Plagiarism Prevention (PUPP), whose principal investigator is Martine Peters, comprises 59 researchers and collaborators from various disciplines and 34 partners. PUPP is conducting a unique research project on the use of Digital Scrapbooking Strategies (DSS) by students and teachers to determine how teaching and learning these strategies can prevent plagiarism.

    The institution also provides leadership in healthcare research. Led by Professor Catherine Laprise, Canada Research Chair in Asthma and Allergic Diseases Genomics, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) supports DESIIR, a digital ecosystem of integrated environmental and health data for research purposes. This is a unique opportunity at the Canadian and international levels to deploy innovative, cross-sectoral approaches to sustainable health research.

    This digital ecosystem will bring together and leverage data collected or generated over five decades of research on physical and psychosocial health as well as population structure. This project embodies Université du Québec’s distinctive research culture, which focuses on collaboration between research sectors and between public and private organisations. This approach will facilitate the identification of new avenues to address endemic health and social issues, including rare inherited diseases.

    © shutterstock/metamorworks

    Founded at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), the Center of Excellence in Research on Orphan Diseases – Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC) brings together more than 70 researchers from across Québec and internationally. The centre’s mission is to develop and deepen knowledge about orphan diseases through basic and applied research, thereby identifying therapeutic targets to improve patient care, monitoring, and quality of life. Recent projects at the Centre have focused on Hunter’s syndrome, the PSMC5 gene mutation, and developing a therapeutic approach for Hirschsprung’s disease.

    Lara Maillet, Canada Research Chair in Adaptive Health and Social Services (CRC Sa3S) at École nationale d’administration publique (ENAP), is leading the France-Québec comparative project Travailler sur les frontières des trajectoires: Vers des modes de gouvernance robuste pour des systèmes de santé adaptables? This research aims to better assess the potential of management by health trajectories and pathways to contribute to the post-pandemic response. The research offers the prospect of a new form of healthcare governance for marginalised groups or those who have more difficulty accessing the healthcare system.

    UQ researchers are also actively contributing to making Canada a more inclusive society, particularly with regard to Indigenous Peoples and youth. At Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT), the Canada Research Chair in Issues Relating to Indigenous Women, led by Professor Suzy Basile, aims to document the issues and challenges faced by Indigenous women in Canada and around the world. With a view to reconciliation and healing, her work provides appropriate solutions to these issues.

    Continuing on the subject of challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples, researcher Dave Bergeron at Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR) is leading a project to use innovative approaches to knowledge transfer and exchange to develop and implement preventive healthcare and health promotion strategies in partnership with Indigenous communities.

    At ENAP, the research chair on the evaluation of public actions regarding youth and vulnerable populations (CREVAJ) is conducting a research project on the Aire ouverte programme entitled: Evaluative research to support continuous improvement of services offered to Québec youth and learning organisations. This project, led by researcher Martin Goyette, involves evaluating and supporting the continuous improvement of Aire ouverte, a programme with 32 service centres for youth ages 12 to 25 living in various vulnerable contexts.

    What are UQ’s projects dedicated to civil security and climate change?

    The impact of human activities on terrestrial ecosystems has intensified significantly in recent decades. This is evident through unexpected disruptive events and the emergence of new and growing socio-economic demands. The DIVERSE project, led by UQO’s Professor Christian Messier, is pioneering a new approach to forest management. It brings together seven Canadian universities, 12 co-investigators, 40 collaborators, and 25 industry, Indigenous, governmental, and non-governmental partners.

    Similarly, the work of the Research Chair on Northern biodiversity in a mining context, led by Professor Nicole Fenton of UQAT, is empowering industry stakeholders, governments, and communities to mitigate the impact of their actions on biodiversity. They achieve this through science-based planning that incorporates Indigenous perspectives and accounts for the impacts of climate change.

    Furthermore, the team at the INRS Hydraulic Management of Water Distribution Systems Laboratory is developing tools to improve the management of these systems. These tools enable rapid responses to potential contamination and minimise water loss from the systems. The hydraulic management laboratory, which includes a physical model of a municipal drinking water distribution network, optimises the utilisation of our most valuable natural resource.

    The AdapT Institute at ÉTS is a research institution focusing on resilient and circular infrastructure. Its mission is to develop innovative solutions for designing, constructing, and operating circular infrastructure that can withstand the impact of climate change. Hailing from the fields of engineering, management, healthcare, the humanities, and social sciences, the researchers at the AdapT Institute are working to develop alternative approaches to building more adaptable infrastructures.

    Climate change is particularly affecting coastal areas. The work conducted by UQAR’s Laboratory of Dynamics and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (LDGIZC) has become increasingly crucial for coastal communities. As the climate changes, the risk of erosion and marine submersion along inhabited shorelines continues to escalate worldwide.

    In response to these risks, the ARICO (adaptation to coastal risks) project, a multidisciplinary, multi-partner France-Québec research initiative, is funded by ANR (French National Research Agency) and FRQ (Fonds de recherche du Québec). ARICO focuses on co-constructing adaptation scenarios for coastal regions in France and Québec, addressing the coastal risks associated with climate change in collaboration with societal stakeholders, including managers, elected officials, and local inhabitants.

    Intersectorality is also central to UQAM’s InterSectoral Flood Network of Québec (RIISQ). Rooted in the conviction that effective disaster response requires collaboration among socio-economic stakeholders, RIISQ’s mission is to contribute to reducing the risk of floods and their consequences.

    The Network facilitates the resilience of organisations, vulnerable communities, and individuals and by fostering connections between civil society and universities. RIISQ researchers actively engage with communities most susceptible to flooding, offering practical solutions tailored to their unique realities, thereby enhancing their ability to manage the risks associated with this natural disaster.

    Also aiming to improve our climate resilience, CIIN (the international centre for northern engineering) at UQAC coordinates the activities of atmospheric icing research units. It boasts a large-scale facility, including several climatic chambers and refrigerated tunnels, a unique small-scale spillway unlike anywhere else in the world, high-voltage generators, and natural icing sites.

    At UQTR, research conducted at the REST[ES] (Research on Experimental and Social Thanatology) facility contributes to enhancing public safety. This high-security outdoor facility is the only one of its kind in North America and is primarily dedicated to the physical, chemical, and biological study of human decomposition.

    Studies conducted at REST[ES] focus on death and the post-mortem processes that occur in Québec’s temperate climate. REST[ES] researchers have already forged connections with various international forensic science partners (including European countries such as Switzerland and the UK), using the highly distinctive facility for their training and research.

    The institution’s diverse research community has many benefits

    These are just a few examples of the many ways UQ’s research community contributes to advancing knowledge and improving living conditions for Canadians.

    We’re confident that Canada’s participation in Pillar 2 of Horizon Europe will be an opportunity for UQ institutions to strengthen their research capacity and extend their reach.

    Please note, this article will also appear in the 18th edition of our quarterly publication.

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  • The EU FutureMARES project: Safeguarding marine biodiversity

    The EU FutureMARES project: Safeguarding marine biodiversity

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    Determined to secure the future of the marine ecosystems, the EU project, FutureMARES, is using nature-based solutions to better understand, document and rebuild marine biodiversity.

    Climate change (CC) and human activities accelerate the loss of marine biodiversity. The loss of biodiverse habitats leads to losses in important ecosystem services and cultural benefits. Luckily, nature itself offers solutions to these problems.

    By implementing so-called Nature-based Solutions (NBS), we can better conserve and actively restore the health of marine ecosystems and their commercially and culturally important natural capital. NBS can work hand-in-hand with Nature-inclusive (sustainable) Harvesting (NIH) of marine resources to safeguard a host of ecosystem services, and this is where the FutureMARES project comes into play.

    Our 33 project partners have cooperated with regional stakeholders in 39 Case Studies across Europe and beyond to provide science-based advice for regional and local CC adaptation and mitigation actions through the implementation of NBS. Successful, long-term rebuilding of biodiversity using NBS requires knowledge of the physical and chemical changes that have already occurred in the oceans, the ecological losses they have caused, and what is likely to happen in the years to come.

    Unprecedented changes in marine biodiversity

    FutureMARES has thoroughly documented historical changes in marine species and habitats that can be attributed to CC. Environmental time series of up to four decades from 65 monitoring programmes, including historical data for 1,817 marine species (zooplankton, benthos, pelagic and demersal invertebrates and fish) were analysed by calculating the Community Temperature Index (CTI). The CTI is a standardised indicator that provides quantitative information on species composition and its affinity for warm or cold waters.

    Over the past 40 years, the north-east Atlantic Ocean has experienced a tropicalisation of its communities, with an increase in the abundance of warmer-water species, while the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas, where warming has been more rapid, have seen a marked decline in cold-water organisms.

    The study, published in Nature Communications, warns of continued changes in the marine biodiversity of European seas and oceans when temperatures continue to increase. These alarming trends have potential economic and social consequences and highlight the importance of NBS for climate adaptation and mitigation.

    Improved projections of future climate-driven changes

    To offer the best possible information for decision-making, FutureMARES developed climate projections of local-scale impacts of CC in coastal zones and shelf seas, along with valuable information on their uncertainty. The datasets deliver monthly changes from 1993 to 2100 in five ocean indicators (temperature, salinity, pH, oxygen and chlorophyll) at different depths at a resolution of about 8km for four European regions: North Sea, Baltic Sea, Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean Sea and two overseas territories considered in the project (the Chilean coast and Yucatan peninsula).

    Published in Scientific Reports, these projections identify the compound pressures of warming, acidification and deoxygenation on European regional seas and identify future CC hotspots as well as refugia for sensitive species.

    While changes in pressures were variable, both within and among regional seas, the projections underscore how policy interventions that decrease greenhouse gas concentrations can substantially reduce unwanted physical and biogeochemical impacts.

    New knowledge on climate sensitivity of key marine species and habitats

    FutureMARES performed field and laboratory experiments to advance knowledge on the sensitivity of key habitat-forming species to climate-driven and other stressors. In the Mediterranean Sea, results provide evidence for the thermal superiority of tropical non-native invaders over native species, suggesting bio-invaders will perform much better under future ocean warming than natives.

    Results also show that alien-dominated, altered but rich, or restored macrophyte communities on shallow reefs can function similarly or superiorly to the original communities, providing some hope that even highly altered communities may continue to provide functions and services important to the health of the marine ecosystem.

    FutureMARES showcased the response of habitat-forming species to climate-driven warming plus artificial light at night. Experiments revealed population differences in climate sensitivity with inherent adaptation to local thermal conditions.

    This may suggest some hope for acclimation or for selection towards more resilient genotypes in a future climate. These population differences have implications for the robustness of species distribution models, the selection of sites for marine protection, and the climate resilience of habitat restoration.

    The new climate change projections and knowledge of climate sensitivity have allowed FutureMARES to create maps of the future distribution and productivity of key species and habitats. These maps help build the strong scientific foundation needed for planning Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) networks. Cooperation with the NGO FairSeas resulted in the mapping of climate change hotspots and refugia in Irish waters, contributing to that nation’s commitment to the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy.

    FutureMARES also advanced and applied marine ecosystem models. These simulations test the ecological and economic benefits of effective habitat restoration and networks of MPAs and how more stringent protection (now planned for 10% of MPAs) combined with NIH (reduction in bycatch rates and fishing effort) can lead to the recovery of key commercial and conservation species. Our results suggest that NBS, together with NIH actions, may play a vital role in climate adaptation and mitigation and in safeguarding marine biodiversity.

    Tools for decision-makers and scientists

    FutureMARES performed socio-ecological climate risk assessments (CRAs) that highlighted vulnerable areas such as the eastern Mediterranean and demonstrated how risks to species, ecosystem services, and social groups increase without NBS. Implementing NBS reduced climate risks across all species, regions and future scenarios and led to positive effects on ecosystem goods and services.

    The analysis also revealed that NBS can be less effective under IPCC scenarios with high greenhouse gas concentrations. Cost-benefit analyses show how NBSs can sustain economies from local to regional scales under alternative future scenarios. FutureMARES produced a CRA App guiding users on how to conduct these analyses.

    FutureMARES has also developed spatially explicit tools that display not only areas where CC is most likely to drive ecosystems towards a new state (CC hotspots) but also areas offering opportunities, such as the range expansion of species to foster sustainable growth (CC bright spots).

    Additional decision support tools combining GIS with Bayesian network analysis were designed to visualise trade-offs between scenarios to inform users about interactions among different ecosystem components and human activities to assess marine ecosystem services.

    Policy impact

    Working with decision-makers, policymakers, and environmental managers, FutureMARES has provided the science-based advice needed to implement NBS and NIH as part of regional and local climate change adaptation and mitigation actions.

    The results of FutureMARES will strongly contribute to national, EU, and global reports and policies to safeguard and restore marine biodiversity, helping to meet the targets of the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy and Nature Restoration Law.

    FutureMARES also proposes revisions to the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, recommending several improved ecological indicators of good environmental status (GES) and the inclusion of social-economic indicators for marine species and habitat conservation, habitat restoration, and the sustainable harvesting of seafood.

    To learn how to use our results and products, visit our FutureMARES website or get in touch with us directly using the contact information below.

    Disclaimer

    This project receives funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 869300.

    Authors

    • Myron A Peck – Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ-Texel)
    • Juan Bueno-Pardo – Marine Research Center (CIM), University of Vigo
    • Fabio Bulleri – Department of Biology, University of Pisa
    • Momme Butenschon – Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC)
    • Guillem Chust – AZTI Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA)
    • Josefina Cordera – Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ-Texel)
    • Vera Köpsel – University of Hamburg
    • Christopher Lynam – Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
    • Gill Rilov – National Institute of Oceanography, Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IORL)

    Please note, this article will also appear in the 18th edition of our quarterly publication.

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  • ETM’s lithium exploration strategy for sustainable energy

    ETM’s lithium exploration strategy for sustainable energy

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    With lithium exploration ramping up in Canada and Spain, the resource developer digs in to advance its world-class Kvanefjeld rare earths deposit in Greenland and strengthens its team.

    While the lithium sector has had a bumpy ride recently, the long-term prognosis for the metal remains extremely positive, given its strong market fundamentals.

    Lithium has emerged as a critical component in producing rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems as the world transitions towards a cleaner and more sustainable future.

    The global shift towards electrification has been driving a growing demand for lithium-ion batteries as countries aim to reduce their carbon footprint and combat climate change.

    With its unique properties and robust long-term market fundamentals, lithium presents a compelling opportunity for exploration companies like Australian-based Energy Transition Minerals Ltd (ASX: ETM).

    Acquisition of two lithium exploration projects in Québec

    The Melbourne-headquartered company recently announced the acquisition of two exciting lithium exploration projects in Québec, located within Canada’s highly prospective James Bay area – one of the world’s premier emerging lithium provinces.

    The addition of the Solo and Good Setting Projects to ETM’s global portfolio marks a significant milestone for the company as it expands its operations into this mineral-rich region, known for its recent world-class lithium discoveries.

    Benefits of the James Bay area

    The James Bay area in Québec, has gained significant attention in recent years due to its exceptional potential for large-scale lithium deposits. The region is characterised by its favourable geological settings, including pegmatite intrusions, which are known to host high-grade lithium deposits.

    Notable lithium discoveries in the area, such as the Whabouchi and Rose Projects, have demonstrated the region’s immense potential and have attracted the interest of numerous exploration and mining companies.

    Fig. 1: Map of original Solo claims, and the 52 new claim blocks recently acquired by ETM

    Energy Transition Minerals’ decision to explore lithium in the James Bay area is underpinned by several key competitive advantages – including established infrastructure, a supportive regulatory environment, and access to skilled labour.

    The James Bay region benefits from well-developed infrastructure, including road access, power lines, and proximity to deep-water ports. This high-quality infrastructure network facilitates efficient exploration activities and reduces the costs associated with project development. On the policy front, the Québec Government has implemented favourable policies and incentives to encourage mineral exploration and mining activities in the province.

    These policies and a streamlined permitting process create a supportive environment for companies like ETM to advance their projects. Québec also boasts a highly skilled and experienced workforce in the mining sector. The availability of local expertise and services ensures that exploration activities can be conducted efficiently and effectively.

    Capitalising on the growing demand for lithium

    The commencement of lithium exploration at the Solo and Good Setting Projects represents an exciting opportunity for ETM to capitalise on the growing demand for lithium and contribute to the global transition towards clean energy. With its strategic location, favourable geological settings, and supportive government policies, the James Bay region provides an ideal platform for the company to unlock the potential of lithium and create value for its shareholders.

    Earlier this year, the company also announced the commencement of its second drilling programme at the highly promising Villasrubias Lithium-Tantalum Project, located in central-western Spain. This new exploration phase follows the successful initial drilling campaign conducted in Q2 2023, which led to the discovery of significant high-grade lithium and tantalum mineralisation, including intervals grading up to 1.23% Li2O with accessory tin and tantalum.

    The new drilling programme will initially comprise up to 2,000 metres of drilling across 14 holes, with a maximum drill depth of approximately 150 metres. The company has engaged Geoplanning, an experienced drilling contractor, to conduct the program using two diamond drilling rigs.

    The drilling campaign is expected to span over eight weeks, with assay results to be published progressively as they become available. This second drill campaign is based on the outcomes of an extensive geophysical report, which was developed by TECNICAS GEOFISICAS with the University of Salamanca’s participation, providing valuable insights and targets for the company’s exploration activities.

    A comprehensive rehabilitation programme was also prepared as part of ETM’s commitment to sustainable and responsible mining practices. This included sealing drill holes and replanting with native plant species to prevent erosion, control dust, and enhance land stability. ETM has also secured land access agreements with six local landholders, reflecting the company’s dedication to community collaboration and environmental stewardship.

    ETM’s local partner, Technology Metals Europe sl (TME), has signed a collaboration agreement with the University of Salamanca and the Spain Institute of Geology and Mining (IGME) to further the development of exploration projects in the region. This partnership underscores ETM’s commitment to engaging with the local community and leveraging regional expertise to advance its projects responsibly.

    Kvanefjeld Rare Earth Project

    Meanwhile, at the company’s foundational asset, the world-class Kvanefjeld Rare Earth Project in Greenland, ETM has taken decisive action to protect shareholders’ interests by filing a statement of claim with the International Arbitration Court in Copenhagen against the Governments of Greenland and Denmark.

    With JORC-compliant resources of over one billion tonnes, Kvanefjeld is one of the world’s largest deposits of rare earth elements (REEs). These elements are crucial for the global energy transition and have the potential to fundamentally change the balance of the global rare earth market.

    Given its strategic geopolitical significance, ETM believes that every avenue to advance the project to production must be explored to unlock the enormous inherent value in the deposit for the benefit of all stakeholders. This involves acting on the legal front by activating the dispute resolution mechanism embedded in the licence contract and working in parallel with all stakeholders and strategic partners to find a negotiated path to development while allaying and addressing the legitimate concerns of all parties.

    The current legal situation focuses on the progress of the arbitration proceedings regarding whether Act 20 applies to the Kvanefjeld Project. In January 2024, the Arbitral Tribunal, by a majority decision (two out of three arbitrators), ordered GMAS to provide security for the legal costs of the Greenland and Denmark Governments if these governments were to prevail in the arbitration and GMAS was ordered to pay some or all of their legal costs; the company agreed with that order and believes that it has a strong case in its favour.

    It is important to note that the Tribunal’s decision on security for costs is an interim decision. It does not ultimately determine any other issue in dispute between GMAS and the two governments.

    Engagement in Greenland

    In the meantime, ETM has taken steps to deepen its engagement and operations in Greenland, particularly in renewable energy and sustainable development, to support the future development of the Kvanefjeld REE project. This was evidenced recently by the appointment of Svend Hardenberg as the company’s Greenland Strategic Advisor to the Board. Svend is a highly respected Greenlandic businessman and former politician whose role is to help guide ETM’s strategic initiatives, enhance relationships within Greenland, and advocate for the importance of the Kvanefjeld Project as a potential source of critical minerals for the global energy transition.

    The company also recently strengthened its board with the appointment of highly experienced international corporate finance and mining executive, Aris Stamoulis, as an Independent Non-Executive Director. With a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades in corporate and structured finance, Aris previously served as Corporate Finance and Executive Director with ASX-listed rare earths company Hastings Technology Metals, where he played a key role as part of the senior executive team in securing finance for the Yangibana Rare Earths Project in Western Australia.

    A leader in sustainable mining practices

    The appointment brings additional independence and balance to the ETM Board, further enhancing the company’s governance structure. This appointment is a testament to ETM’s proactive approach to ESG and its dedication to maintaining the highest standards of corporate governance. By embracing the recommendations of the ASX Corporate Governance Council, ETM is positioning itself as a leader in responsible and sustainable mining practices.

    As the company continues to advance its critical minerals projects, it remains committed to integrating ESG considerations into its decision-making processes, risk management framework, and stakeholder engagement initiatives. ETM recognises that strong ESG performance is not only essential for the company’s long-term success but also crucial in contributing to the global transition towards a more sustainable future.

    With this addition to the Board, Energy Transition Minerals is well-positioned to navigate the evolving ESG landscape, meet the expectations of its stakeholders, and deliver on its promise of supplying critical minerals essential for the global energy transition while maintaining the highest standards of environmental, social, and corporate governance.

    The company remains focused on developing and financing supply chains for metals and materials critical to the world’s decarbonisation. With exploration projects in Western Europe, North America, and Greenland, ETM is well-positioned to contribute to the global energy transition while adhering to the highest sustainability standards and responsible mining practices.

    Please note, this article will also appear in the 18th edition of our quarterly publication.

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  • A circular space economy is more than just rocket science

    A circular space economy is more than just rocket science

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    In the North East of England, industry and academia have joined forces to develop the relevant skills to enable a truly circular space economy.

    Through the work of companies such as 3S Northumbria, the idea of a circular economy for human operations in outer space has gained increasing traction.

    The idea of minimising waste and maximising the use of resources through reuse, recycling, and repurposing offers a tangible, sustainable future for humanity as it looks to transition into a spacefaring species.

    Therefore, establishing a skilled workforce capable of driving this circular economy in space is crucial. The North East of England emerges as an ideal hub for nurturing and developing the skills, and more importantly, the mindset, for delivering such a fundamental element of sustainable space operations.

    The region has a rich tradition of innovation, resilience, and adaptability amongst the workforce, which can be seen through its industrial heritage rooted in shipbuilding, steelworking, and coal mining.

    Academic collaboration

    Yet, the past is not the only consideration when developing the necessary skills to explore and exploit outer space. The Northeast has embedded academic excellence within its ecosystem in universities such as Durham,¹ Northumbria,² Newcastle,³ Sunderland,⁴ and Teesside.⁵

    These institutions offer cutting-edge research in space manufacturing, astrophysics, optical, and instrumentation applications, as well as developing new knowledge in social sciences, space policy, and space law. These academic resources provide fertile ground for nurturing the interdisciplinary expertise required to develop the circular economy for space.

    Why the North East?

    The North East boasts a vibrant, collaborative ecosystem with industry, government and academia all looking to develop and drive innovation in the space sector. This collaborative ethos accelerates the development of technology and skill sets that are essential for developing a more sustainable approach to space exploration.

    This is coupled with infrastructure investment in the northeast, particularly in advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and renewable energy, which all lay the ground for space-related ventures. The development of state-of-the-art testing facilities and research centres provides the necessary infrastructure for prototyping, testing, and scaling novel space technologies that will place the UK at the forefront of the new space economy.

    Developing a specialist workforce

    Despite its many advantages, the question remains about what specialist skills will be needed to help develop a truly sustainable and circular economy in outer space. Operating in space presents unique challenges, and simply leveraging existing aerospace and technological infrastructure will not guarantee success in embedding sustainable practices in outer space.

    At 3S Northumbria Ltd, we are working with academics at Durham University⁶ and Northumbria Law School⁷ to identify the key skills and workforce requirements needed to engage and embed a circular approach to working in outer space.

    First, and most obviously, there will need to be significant interdisciplinary collaboration. Given the multifaceted nature of space exploration and the requirements of sustainable resource utilisation, collaboration among scientists, engineers, policymakers, and those directly involved in the industry will be crucial for success.

    Such a cross-disciplinary workforce will necessarily include engineering expertise in aerospace, mechanical, electrical, and materials engineering. This will be essential for developing space-based infrastructure such as recycling systems to reuse defunct satellites and resource extraction, where the reuse of components containing precious metals is not possible.

    Allied to this will be the need to develop robotics and automation specialists, together with coders and software engineers who can design and operate autonomous systems for in-orbit servicing, manufacturing, and maintenance tasks.

    In addition to the technical, engineering, and data management side of sustainable space operations, a whole range of ancillary and connected opportunities could emerge.

    Professionals with knowledge of sustainable design principles may well be essential to ensure that equipment for use in outer space is designed with longevity and resource efficiency in mind.

    Supply chain management will be needed to coordinate the logistics of transporting materials and equipment to and from space,e as well as managing inventory and distribution of raw materials.

    This will require the creation of a workforce with an ethos of innovation and creativity yet with environmental stewardship and resource efficiency at the heart of the new space economy.

    Solving the challenges of developing a circular space economy

    The complexity of the space environment, coupled with the increasing volume of space traffic, poses challenges regarding the amount of information needed about the position of all space objects in Earth’s orbit.

    3S Northumbria Ltd is committed to developing and enhancing the provision of data in space, working in partnership with Exo-Analytic Solutions, a world leader in Space Situational Awareness and Space Domain Awareness at all orbits more than 8,000km from Earth.

    As the orbital environment gets busier, the number of objects that need tracking will increase. 3S Northumbria Ltd is committed to developing a new breed of orbital information engineers who will provide enhanced space situational awareness for operators and be versed in the regulatory requirements of space operations.

    Building a workforce with these diverse skills and expertise will present a new challenge. Operating in traditional academic silos is no longer an acceptable option. Entrepreneurs with a new mindset are needed to develop strategies to minimise waste and pollution in space environments and navigate the complex regulatory landscape. They will need to recognise the opportunities that the space economy offers while advocating for policies that support sustainable practices.

    The North East of England is ideal for developing such a skilled workforce. Its industrial heritage, academic excellence and collaborative ecosystem are ideally tailored for the challenges of developing a circular economy in space.

    References

    1. https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/responsible-space-innovation-centre/
    2. https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/about-us/news-events/news/north-east-space-skills-and-technology-centre/
    3. https://research.northumbria.ac.uk/nudata/
    4. https://www.devopsonline.co.uk/university-of-sunderland-to-use-robots-to-teach-ai-to-students/
    5. https://www.tees.ac.uk/sections/business/news_story.cfm?story_id=7007
    6. https://operations.webspace.durham.ac.uk/projects/
    7. https://nrl.northumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/43666/

    Please note, this article will also appear in the 18th edition of our quarterly publication.

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  • Physics of extreme massive stars

    Physics of extreme massive stars

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    Massive stars in extreme evolutionary stages have been studied to reveal their pulsation and mass loss properties, indispensable for the understanding of stellar and galactic evolution.

    One of the most important, long-standing questions in astrophysics is: How do massive stars evolve from their birth up to supernova explosion?

    Massive stars are powerful cosmic engines. Throughout their entire lifetime, they enrich their environment with huge amounts of energy and chemically processed material. The energy released from massive stars is so powerful that it can trigger the formation of new generations of stars and planets. The chemical elements produced inside stars and released to their environment via winds and eruptions are the building blocks of all life as we know it on Earth.

    Despite the importance of massive stars for cosmic evolution, their aging process from the cradle to their death as spectacular supernova explosions still faces many uncertainties.

    The EU-funded project POEMS aimed to remove some of them, in particular in relation to precise mass-loss predictions in various late evolutionary stages that were so far hampering reliable predictions for the evolution and fate of massive stars.

    Creating the POEMS project

    For the implementation of the project, we established a multidisciplinary, international network of researchers from Europe, Asia, and South America with expertise and background in both theory and observations and in a variety of disciplines such as astronomy and astrophysics, fluid dynamics, nonlinear physics, molecular physics, astrochemistry, statistics and applied mathematics.

    The research focused on diverse aspects:

    1. We investigated new ways to determine exact hydrodynamical solutions that prescribe the winds and mass loss of stars in extreme evolutionary phases
    2. We studied the impact of pulsation and other instabilities on mass ejections and outbursts, and examined the structure and dynamics of the ejected matter along with the formation of circumstellar rings and disks
    3. We elaborated how the wind material interacts with the interstellar medium.

    New mass-loss prescriptions

    Hot, massive stars lose mass via line-driven winds. Our analysis reveals new, exact hydrodynamical solutions of the wind velocity distribution, which is of utmost importance for predicting the radial density distribution in the winds and, hence, the total mass loss of a star in a specific evolutionary state.

    We are implementing these new solutions into state-of-the-art numerical codes (FASTWIND, CMFGEN). With these, we compute self-consistent wind solutions together with mass-loss rates and emerging spectra of stars spreading over a large initial mass range.

    These new mass-loss rates are significantly lower than previous values. Consequently, evolutionary tracks computed with these new mass-loss recipes predict that stars will remain massive and evolve at higher luminosity, leading to a significantly larger amount of stellar black holes.

    Fig. 1: Locations of various types of evolved massive stars on the temperature-luminosity diagram. Black lines represent evolutionary tracks for the indicated initial masses. The terminology is: red supergiants (RSG), yellow hypergiants (YHG); luminous blue variables (LBV); B[e] supergiants (B[e]SG), and blue supergiants (BSG). Evolutionary tracks are taken from Ekström et al., Astronomy & Astrophysics, 537, A146 (2012)

    Pulsations and hydrodynamical instabilities inducing mass ejections

    In addition to their line-driven winds, massive stars can also lose mass during certain evolutionary phases through mechanical processes such as pulsation-induced mass loss and eruptions. For pulsation instabilities to be effective (so-called strange-mode instabilities), the stars should have a high ratio of their luminosity over mass (>10⁴ in solar units), which is easily achieved by stars in their late evolutionary stages, that is, after having lost a significant fraction of their initial mass through winds.

    We focused on stars in the initial mass range of 20-40 solar masses. Evolutionary calculations predict that these objects pass through a red-supergiant phase in which they shed large amounts of material and then pass through a yellow hypergiant and a follow-up blue supergiant phase (Fig. 1) before exploding as supernovae. The envelopes of these highly inflated objects are very prone to even the smallest perturbations.

    Our analyses of such perturbations reveal that pulsational as well as hydrodynamical instabilities can occur with velocity amplitudes exceeding the escape speed and lifting surface material into the star’s environment.

    In this way, mechanical mass loss (or even an outburst) is produced that tops up the mass loss from the stellar wind. Our detection of clear correlations between pulsation periods and phases of enhanced mass loss in spectroscopic time-series observations and of signals in photometric light curves with periods that are in the same order as our theoretically predicted ones underline the reliability of our investigations.

    Regular pulsations are also excited in a second population of blue supergiant stars. These are objects that have just left the main sequence. Compared to their more evolved post-red supergiant counterparts, these stars still have significantly higher mass by otherwise the same temperature and luminosity.

    We have investigated the pulsation properties of a sample of blue supergiants to classify them according to their (pre- versus post-red supergiant) evolutionary phase. The results will allow us to study the deep interior of these stars, which is not accessible by any other means, along with more reliable values of their masses.

    Structure and dynamics of circumstellar matter

    The matter that was released from the stellar surface by either winds or mass ejections can accumulate in the vicinity of the star, creating splendid structures such as disks, rings, or shells. A specific group of evolved massive stars with circumstellar rings are the B[e] supergiants. Their environments are so stable that chemical processes can take place, leading to the formation of molecules and dust.

    Fig. 2: Four characteristic snapshots of the yellow hypergiant star ρ Cas (left) and its light curve (right): A) normal size and colour of the pulsating star; b) strong contraction accompanied by heating and brightening of the star prior to the outburst; c) rapid expansion and cooling of the stellar atmosphere causing a steep brightness drop, including mass ejections; d) back to normal size, temperature, and brightness of the star, with the ejected material diluting into space. Light curve is taken from Kraus et al., Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 483, 3792 (2019)

    The rings around most objects were found to revolve around the stars on Keplerian orbits, and we detected the emission from various molecular species using modern observing facilities at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) and GEMINI Observatory. These discoveries help characterise and understand the ongoing chemistry.

    The outbursts of yellow hypergiants can occur on time scales that range from decades to centuries. They imprint their signatures on photometric light curves (Fig.2). These outbursts can also yield observable structures around the central star traceable by either molecular or dust emission. We have observed many yellow hypergiants and discovered multiple dust shells, circumstellar gas disks composed of carbon monoxide and hot water vapour, and bipolar outflows.

    A subgroup of massive main-sequence stars displays phases of disk formation and dissipation. These are the classical Be stars. It is generally believed that disk formation is related to critical stellar rotation, and our studies reveal that the spinning-up of the stars to critical rotation could be caused by mass transfer in very close binary systems.

    However, we have also found many Be stars that generate disks without rotating critically, posing new challenges to our understanding of their disk formation process.

    massive stars
    Fig. 3: Spectacular bow shock detected around the blue supergiant star α Cam. The images display the diffuse structure of the shocked stellar wind traced in the line of Hα (taken at Ondřejov Observatory, left) and the prominent shocked interstellar dust seen in the infrared (taken with the WISE satellite, right)

    Interaction of the wind with the interstellar medium

    Since stars travel through the local interstellar medium, the wind material of massive stars impinges on the interstellar medium, creating observable bubble structures known as astrospheres. For supersonic flows, the interstellar material is hereby compressed and heated, producing bright dust emission along the bow shocks detectable at infrared wavelengths. Due to the high density of the wind material in certain evolutionary stages, we speculated that the shocked wind material should also cause observable emissions.

    Therefore, we carried out an imaging survey at optical wavelengths centered on the well-established wind emission line Hα and detected a significant fraction of these bow shocks (Fig. 3). Further analysis will provide insight into the parameters of the stellar and interstellar plasma flows and help deepen our understanding of the formation of bow-shocks.

    Besides scientific research results, our project also provides databases that can be exploited by the community. To date, we have released a large grid of synthetic models (ISOSCELES) and a database with molecular spectra. Furthermore, we are releasing the observations taken with various national facilities throughout the project period.

    It is noteworthy that the research supported by this project is at the forefront of science in several research areas, such as stellar wind modelling and observing, and modelling the environment of evolved massive stars. In addition, our team developed cutting-edge models, software, and tools that can be further exploited in various disciplines.

    The team is also extremely efficient in getting assigned observing time with most modern observing facilities to collect the best possible data (often the first of its kind), processing and analysing them. We expect that the final results of POEMS will advance our understanding of physical phenomena, foster innovation, and drive sustainable developments that serve both the scientific community as well as society.

    Acknowledgement

    This project has received funding from the European Union’s Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 (2014-2020) under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No. 823734 (POEMS).

    Please note, this article will also appear in the 18th edition of our quarterly publication.

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