Determination of the scaling characteristics of time-dependent optical properties of microalgae using electromagnetic scattering

TL;DR

This paper develops a new electromagnetic scattering-based method to determine the time-dependent optical properties of microalgae, aiding in improved photobioreactor design and remote sensing applications.

Contribution

It introduces the first concrete expression of the temporal scaling function (TSF) for microalgae's optical properties, linking growth phases to optical behavior.

Findings

Derived the first concrete expression of the TSF for microalgae.

Demonstrated nearly wavelength-independent absorption and scattering cross-sections.

Potential applications in remote sensing and photobioreactor optimization.

Abstract

The time-dependent optical properties of microalgae are crucial for light transfer in photobioreactor (PBR) designs. Here, the time-dependent optical properties were derived using electromagnetic scattering theory informed by the experimentally measured optical properties of Chlorella protothecoides. The temporal scaling functions (TSFs) of nearly wavelength-independent absorption and scattering cross-sections were demonstrated using the electromagnetic scattering theory, leading to the first concrete expression of the TSF. The TSF establishes the relationship between the time-dependent absorption/scattering cross-sections at the stationery and growth phases of microalgal development. The concrete expression of the TSF provides a new way to calculate the time-dependent optical properties of microalgae using electromagnetic scattering theory. The areas where the TSF of microalgae has exciting potential are in remote sensing and photobioreactor applications.