A5029818673- Electrical and Thermal Properties of Materials
- Ferroelectric and Piezoelectric Materials
- Advanced Sensor Technologies Research
- Microwave Dielectric Ceramics Synthesis
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Transition Metal Oxide Nanomaterials
- Gas Sensing Nanomaterials and Sensors
- Theoretical and Computational Physics
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Acoustic Wave Resonator Technologies
- Advanced Sensor and Energy Harvesting Materials
- Electronic and Structural Properties of Oxides
- Advanced MEMS and NEMS Technologies
- Plant responses to water stress
- Plant Water Relations and Carbon Dynamics
- Microfluidic and Capillary Electrophoresis Applications
- Analytical Chemistry and Sensors
- Plant nutrient uptake and metabolism
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Material Dynamics and Properties
- Atomic and Subatomic Physics Research
- Electrostatics and Colloid Interactions
- Plant Stress Responses and Tolerance
- Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics
- Fire Detection and Safety Systems
Laurentian University
2012-2024
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
2007-2016
École Normale Supérieure - PSL
2013
Tecan (Switzerland)
2011
ETH Zurich
1993-2005
Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (Switzerland)
2003
Xenotran (United States)
2000
Utrecht University
1995-1997
University of Geneva
1982-1983
University of Bern
1977
Summary The effects of plants on the biosphere, atmosphere and geosphere are key determinants terrestrial ecosystem functioning. However, despite substantial progress made regarding plant belowground components, we still only beginning to explore complex relationships between root traits functions. Drawing literature in physiology, ecophysiology, ecology, agronomy soil science, reviewed 24 aspects functioning their with a number system traits, including architecture, morphology, anatomy,...
Under nutrient-poor conditions initially fast-growing species will in the long term be competitively inferior to slow-growing species. Here, we ask whether this phenomenon can explained by constraints caused tissue density. The hypothesis is that low density necessary for fast growth but has as a consequence short organ life span. This leads rapid loss of nutrients cannot sustained under conditions. Biomass accumulation, turnover rate leaves and roots, were studied five ecologically...
The present study investigated to what extent there is a link between root tissue structure and ecological strategies of plant species; such known for leaf structure. We experimentally mass density, diameter several characteristics anatomy in the axile roots 19 perennial grass species from different habitats related these parameters behaviour species. Root were assessed new produced by mature plants grown under standardized conditions. was characterized terms relative growth rate (RGR),...
We noted that the tunneling-percolation framework is quite well understood at extreme cases of percolationlike and hoppinglike behaviors but intermediate regime has not been previously discussed, in spite its relevance to intensively studied electrical properties nanocomposites. Following we study here conductivity dispersions particle fillers inside an insulating matrix by taking into account explicitly filler shapes interparticle electron-tunneling process. show main features dependencies...
Trade-offs between acquisition capacities for aboveground and belowground resources were investigated by studying the phenotypic plasticity of leaf root traits in response to different irradiance levels at low nutrient supply. Two congeneric grasses with contrasting light requirements, Dactylis glomerata D. polygama, used. The aim was analyze covariation components area length above- resource limitation consequences this variation plant growth. At intermediate shading (30 20% full sunlight)...
A vast class of disordered conducting-insulating compounds close to the percolation threshold is characterized by nonuniversal values transport critical exponent $t$, in disagreement with standard theory which predicts $t\ensuremath{\simeq}2.0$ for all three-dimensional systems. Various models have been proposed order explain origin such universality breakdown. Among them, tunneling-percolation model calls into play tunneling processes between conducting particles which, under some general...
Abstract. Influences of neighbouring plants on seedling establishment six dicotyledonous species was investigated in a nutrient‐poor limestone grassland (Mesobrometum) northern Switzerland. Microsites with different vegetational structure were created and seeds sown them. The fate emerging seedlings followed for one or two years. A plant surviving its first growing season regarded as established. Shelter by appeared to be necessary the Arabis hirsuta Primula veris. Because drought frost...
The effects of heavy metal stress, drought and their combination on xylem structure in red maple (Acer rubrum) seedlings were investigated an outdoor pot experiment. As metal-contaminated substrate, a mixture 1.5% slag with sand was used, Ni, Cu, Co, Cr as the main contaminants. Plants grown contaminated substrate had increased leaf concentrations. two stresses reduced plant growth additive manner. characteristics similar to each other, proportion tissue, conduit density stems, size roots....
Interspecific variation in leaf life span reflects the nutrient conservation ability among different plant species and is considered to be associated with availability characteristic habitat. As defoliation interferes by long‐lived leaves, we hypothesized that disturbance rate another important environmental factor working as a selective force on interspecific span. In order investigate this, measured of 32 grass mature garden‐grown individuals. Variation was compared traits, available data...
A series of nanoporous membranes prepared from polyethylene-block-polystyrene were applied for size-selective diffusion glucose and albumin molecules. Millimeter-sized test cells characterization such molecular diffusions designed assuming an implantable sensor. The membrane exhibits excellent flexibility toughness compared to conventional brittle alumina. Pore size the could be controlled 5 30 nm by varying preparation conditions. All these in this study let pass through, indicating a...
The tunneling-percolation mechanism of conduction in disordered conductor-insulator composites is studied for a realistic continuum model where conducting and impenetrable spherical particles are dispersed three-dimensional insulating material. Conduction between via tunneling processes maximum distance $d$ introduced. We determine the percolation critical concentration several values $d$. By doing so, we relax restrictions applied previous studies problem, i.e., considerations underlying...
We present an applied model that helps restoration practitioners select ideal mix of species to plant in order meet their objectives. The generates virtual communities designed optimize the delivery multiple ecosystem functions. used optimization approach find most cost-effective combinations four functions: rapid establishment vegetation cover, soil building, biological health and resistance invasion. trait-function relationships characterize species' effects on This accounts for key...
Summary Integrating traits across above‐ and belowground organs offers comprehensive insights into plant ecology, but their various functions also increase model complexity. This study aimed to illuminate the interspecific pattern of whole‐plant trait correlations through a network lens, including detailed analysis root system. Using algorithm that allows individual belong multiple modules, we characterize interrelations among 19 traits, spanning both shoot phenology, architecture,...
We tested the hypothesis that species characteristic of nutrient rich sites always grow faster than from poor sites, but have a shorter organ life span. It has been suggested this fast tissue turnover may limit their performance at sites. Three ecologically contrasting grasses were studied: Bromus erectus, meadows, and Arrhenatherum elatius Dactylis glomerata, more grasslands. These grown three meadows differing in availability harvested 3, 7, 9.5 11 months after germination. D. glomerata...
Relative water content (RWC) is widely used to describe plant status, and commonly measured gravimetrically. The ephemeral nature of leaf fresh mass poses severe constraints for such measurements in field-grown plants. These can be overcome by transporting the leaves waterproof containers into lab. However, even then, lose water, other changes may happen. effects a delay on measurement RWC have not been quantified so far. In this study, influence duration storage up 96 h temperature its...
The connectedness percolation threshold (${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{c}$) and critical coordination number (${Z}_{c}$) of systems penetrable spherocylinders characterized by a length polydispersity are studied way Monte Carlo simulations for several aspect ratio distributions. We find that (i) ${\ensuremath{\eta}}_{c}$ is nearly universal function the weight-averaged ratio, with an approximate inverse dependence extends to ratios well below slender rod limit (ii) impenetrable displays similar...
We present an in-depth analysis of the geometrical percolation behavior in continuum random assemblies hard oblate ellipsoids revolution. Simulations were carried out by considering a broad range aspect ratios, from spheres up to aspect-ratio-100 platelike objects, and with various limiting two-particle interaction distances, 0.05 times major axis 4.0 axis. confirm widely reported trend consistent lowering particle critical volume fraction increase ratio. Moreover, assimilating distance...