We are pleased to invite you to the 1st Webinar of Grand Period 2, which will take place on May 22nd at 10:30 CET. All members are warmly welcome to join us!
📍 Join the meeting via Microsoft Teams:
Click here to join the webinar
During the webinar, we will host three presentations:
1. Irene Bertelli (STSM Grantee)
FTIR and TGA analysis of resin and pitch mixtures used as adhesives in the past: understanding ancient technology and material aging
The research focused on investigating the chemical composition and aging behaviour of resin and pitch mixtures historically used as adhesives, using FTIR and TGA techniques. The STSM, hosted at the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology of the University of Life Sciences in Poznań, enabled Irene to work closely with experts outside her typical field (mass spectrometry), significantly enriching her PhD project. The collaboration sparked new experimental ideas, such as monitoring material aging via ATR-FTIR due to its rapid execution. Irene also highlighted the networking benefits of her stay in Poznań, particularly during the EU-PoTaRCh General Meeting in March, which led to new collaborations.
2. Elisabeth Johann
The tradition of larch resin extraction in Austria
Elisabeth will share the historical and present-day practices of larch resin (Lörget, Loriet) harvesting in Austria. Traditionally used in varnishes, optics, and folk medicine, larch resin has a long and complex history dating back to 1391. Despite its decline in the 20th century due to foreign imports, resin extraction is still practiced today in some alpine regions, offering a supplemental income for farmers. The presentation will explore the evolving legal framework, technical methods, and socio-economic impact of this traditional practice.
3. Jale Yanik
Utilization of biochar as a seed-coating material
This presentation will delve into recent research on biochar as a seed-coating carrier for plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). Biochars were derived from various organic wastes under different carbonization conditions (dry and wet). The study evaluated the suitability of these biochars for carrying Gram-negative (P. kilonensis) and Gram-positive (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens) bacteria, focusing on cytotoxicity and shelf-life performance. The talk will highlight the implications of biochar properties on microbial viability and seed productivity.
We look forward to your participation and to inspiring discussions during the webinar!