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In our most recent episode of Lexicon, we sat down with Jennifer Larouche, the chief scientific officer of Ribozome, a Quebec-based company pioneering the edible insect industry. Ribozome specializes in farming mealworms to produce sustainable, nutritious, eco-friendly edible insect protein.

Jennifer shares her experience and thoughts on the interesting world of mealworm farming, the nutritional and environmental benefits, and the challenges and future potential of edible insects in the food industry.

Join us as we explore this developing field of sustainable and highly scalable protein industry of the future.

During her academic studies, Jennifer Larouches journey into the world of edible insects began in 2016. We were feeding carnivorous fish with housefly larvae. At that time, I did not know that salmon we consume are fed with fish taken from the oceans. I was kind of outraged by that, knowing that edible insects were such an amazing opportunity to feed them, Larouche explained.

She explained that this passion for sustainable protein sources inspired her to co-found Ribozome in 2021 alongside her partner, Danny.

Jennifer explained that farming mealworms is a very tricky process that involves several key stages. One of the key ones being that mealworms are farmed in stackable trays placed on pallets, allowing for efficient use of space.

When it comes to feeding, they are primarily fed dry feed. This, Jennifer explained, is often sourced from local food processors. The mealworm is fed really dry product, and so we usually start with wheat bran and then evolve by adding other residue, said Larouche. This circular economy model reduces waste and uses by-products from other industries.

The mealworms grow for about 8 to 12 weeks, after which they are harvested. The insect will be washed, steamed, boiled, dried, and ground into powder. Most of the time it will be in powder form since people are not really ready to see the insect yet, Larouche noted.

If you are wondering about how this protein tastes, Ribozomes unique drying methods give the mealworm powder a chocolate-like taste, making it more appealing to consumers.

As Larouche explained to IE, one of the standout features of mealworm protein is its nutritional profile.

It compares on the amino acid content, so like animal protein, the profile in amino acid is complete, Larouche explained. This makes mealworms an excellent protein source for those looking to reduce meat consumption without compromising on essential nutrients.

Mealworm powder also contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and B12 vitamins, which are crucial for a balanced diet. Jennifer went on to explain that, from an environmental perspective, mealworm farming offers significant advantages over traditional livestock farming.

Compared to chicken, the production of mealworms in a circular economy context generates 300 times less greenhouse gas, requires 13 times less water, two times less feed, and three times less space, Larouche highlighted.

These efficiencies make mealworms a highly sustainable protein source that can be produced even in urban areas without causing significant odor or pollution.

Introducing edible insects to the mainstream market comes with its challenges, primarily the yuck factor. Ribozome has taken a strategic approach to overcome this barrier. The best way to introduce insects is by including them in products we are comfortable eating. Thats why we decided to sell our product, which tastes like chocolate, Larouche explained.

For this reason, Ribozome aims to make the transition to insect protein easier for consumers by integrating mealworm powder into familiar foods like cookies and muffins. Theyve even produced a few recipes for using their products on their website.

Ribozome is heavily invested in research to ensure its products safety and nutritional quality. They are collaborating with Laval University on a project to develop a quality assurance tool using metagenomics.

We want to quickly see the microbial community present in our insects and their feed to identify new pathogens or problems that could emerge, Larouche said. This proactive approach aims to mitigate risks and enhance the reliability of mealworm products.

The future of the edible insect industry looks promising, with potential applications extending beyond human food. For the food industry, it will have to pass by the development of various delicious food products. The real way to promote this industry is through animal feeds and pet food, Larouche predicted.

She also explained to IE the growing interest among pet owners in sustainable and hypoallergenic food options, which is why insect protein is perfect. Furthermore, edible insects could play a crucial role in aquaculture.

Feeding fish with insects is a more natural and sustainable option than soybean protein or fish meal, Larouche noted. This could significantly reduce the environmental footprint of fish farming and improve the industrys sustainability.

Reflecting on her journey, Jennifer also shared a memorable moment from her early days working with insects.

We received 2000 crickets in our apartment and realized crickets could eat plastic. They had made a hole in their little cage and there were crickets everywhere in our house, she explained.

Jennifers work at Ribozome highlights the immense potential of edible insects as a sustainable protein source. With continued innovation and consumer education, edible insects could become a staple in our diets, solving many of the environmental challenges associated with traditional livestock farming.

As Larouche aptly put it, The key to success for the insect industry is to develop and market a lot of products, paving the way for a more sustainable future.

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Christopher McFadden Christopher graduated from Cardiff University in 2004 with a Masters Degree in Geology. Since then, he has worked exclusively within the Built Environment, Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Consultancy industries. He is a qualified and accredited Energy Consultant, Green Deal Assessor and Practitioner member of IEMA. Chris’s main interests range from Science and Engineering, Military and Ancient History to Politics and Philosophy.

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Making a meal of it: how mealworms and insect protein will change the world - Interesting Engineering

In a significant moment for nuclear energy development, China plans to set up the worlds first molten salt nuclear power station in the Gobi Desert.

The innovative facility, which China claims will start operating by 2025, intends to reshape global energy with its high-end technology and prospects for a safer and greener nuclear power industry.

Instead of uranium, this plant uses thorium as its fuel. Its reactor does not need water for cooling because it utilizes liquid salt or carbon dioxide to transfer heat and make electricity.

One advantage of using thorium as a primary fuel lies in eliminating fears over possible shortage resulting from running out of uranium, which is normally used in reactors; this is due to thorium being more plentiful than uranium.

Thorium, an occurring element with radioactivity, has long been known for its potential as a type of fuel in nuclear reactors.

Unlike uranium-based reactors, thorium reactors have benefits, such as improved safety features and less long-term nuclear waste.

The design of the salt reactor specifically made for using thorium enhances its advantages by ensuring heat transfer and stable operation.

Chinas choice to develop a thorium salt nuclear power plant shows its dedication to progressing energy technologies and addressing environmental issues linked with traditional fossil fuels.

Given the effort to cut carbon emissions and combat climate change impacts, exploring energy sources like thorium-based nuclear power is increasingly important.

One of the hallmark features of thorium reactors is their passive safety measures.

While uranium reactors depend on solid fuel rods, thorium reactors use an environmentally safer liquid mixture of fuel that operates at normal pressure.

Moving away from the water cooling model, this design significantly reduces the chances of meltdowns. Further, it lessens other catastrophic events that follow such an event, creating a more secure version of nuclear power generation.

These relative advantages are rooted in thorium reactors generating less toxic and short-lived radioactive waste than uranium-fueled ones, thereby easing long-term disposal.

The thorium molten salt nuclear power station complements Chinas energy strategy of diversifying the sources and improving security consumption.

Unlike silicon, those more advanced products still need to be for sale (or at least not widespread), making thorium the hot new thing friends are talking about.

This project aligns with Chinas carbon-neutral ambition and showcases its leadership role in global initiatives on climate change.

Aside from its environmental benefits, the thorium molten salt nuclear power station also has geopolitical significance.

While countries invest to guarantee equality of footing for the future, as die-cast in shifting populism and nationalism trends shaping the global dynamics portfolio, how relationships are made may soon be changed greatly when looking at possible strategic alliances emerging due to nuclear inheritances.

The launch and operation of such a station in China will surely set a benchmark for all other countries with alternative nuclear energy desires.

The example outlined in this design lays down one of the cornerstones for pursuing cleaner, safer, and more efficient future energy sources.

While the world remains cautiously optimistic about Chinas strides in creating a new nuclear paradigm, leading questions will revolve around the technological developments and potential social implications facing these thorium-based reactors today.

A station then would pave the way for new energy technologys transformative adoption and could significantly shape global energy systems over opened because of a first-ever successful operation.

NEWSLETTER

Stay up-to-date on engineering, tech, space, and science news with The Blueprint.

Kapil Kajal Kapil Kajal is an award-winning journalist with a diverse portfolio spanning defense, politics, technology, crime, environment, human rights, and foreign policy. His work has been featured in publications such as Janes, National Geographic, Al Jazeera, Rest of World, Mongabay, and Nikkei. Kapil holds a dual bachelor's degree in Electrical, Electronics, and Communication Engineering and a masters diploma in journalism from the Institute of Journalism and New Media in Bangalore.

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China to launch worlds first thorium molten salt nuclear power station in 2025 - Interesting Engineering

How integrating modelling, simulation and AI is paving the way for automated product development and intelligent systems engineering.

Sustainability is becoming more and more embedded into product design processes across a multitude of industries, from cleaner vehicles and more efficient industrial equipment to advanced materials engineering. A combination of modelling, simulation, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) is helping this evolution on its way in the form of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). But while great strides are continually being made using these innovative technologies, there is still untapped potential waiting to be unleashed, believes Philippe Bartissol, VP of Industrial Equipment at Dassault Systemes.

Product and machine design is evolving through what we call MODSIM AI, which is modelling, simulation and AI all together in one platform 3DEXPERIENCE also with sustainability calculations and Lifecycle Analysis (LCA) added in, he says. When you develop a new product, you should also think from a service engineering perspective: How am I going to service, maintain and retrofit the new range once it reaches the market? It is not only product design engineering that matters, but also the system, production and service engineering processes you offer throughout that products lifecycle.

MODSIM unifies modelling and simulation on a common data model within the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to allow engineers to consider the entire product development process for an AMR in one place. More than just simulation-driven design, MODSIM enables simulation to drive the entire product development cycle from beginning to end, including requirements, validation, certification, development, programme management, design processes and automation.

We have plugged the largest database of CO2 emissions calculations into the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, so that engineers can explore all aspects of the product design process, Bartissol explains. Engineers can simulate design and material options, manufacturability, modularity for disassembly later on, and for the calculations there is an LCA capability built into the platform that, when engineers are generating design, material and manufacturing alternatives, the system will tell them immediately what the CO2 impacts will be. Then, from a sustainability perspective, engineers must look at longer life pieces of equipment and future product lines.

This is where designing for retrofit comes into the conversation, he adds. Putting together the business case of retrofitting versus new, engineers need to consider how much value they can increase if they retrofit, and what is the cost. Looking at this like an infinity loop, you would have in the beginning design engineering, manufacturing, service engineering then selling, producing and installing. Then, during the life of the equipment, there will be a value for certain costs. When the value is not enough in operation while using the piece of equipment, engineers have two possibilities: either to retrofit or to buy a new product. So, by working on the after sales of the retrofit possibilities, engineers can extend the life of a machine or product with less of an impact on the environment.

To enable greater retrofit possibilities, designing AMRs and other machine equipment for modularity from the start is crucial, Bartissol says.

We have all these initiatives to design for cost, for service, for simulation driven design, but this is not enought. We should be designing for retrofit and that should be the primary goal for design right now, he explains. Engineers need to take the view: what will this piece of equipment become over the next 10, 20, or 50 years? This is important on two counts, for the environment and sustainability but also for profitability.

A modular product range demands advanced design software capabilities, such as modelling and simulation. You need to have a software or PLM simulation platform that sustains modularity, Bartissol adds. With this, you can carry out configuration, define modules, interfaces and so on. This is what we are striving for. With these capabilities, you can choose your reason for retrofitting: to consume less energy, to save water, to reduce noise, to be more agile, or to be IoT capable, for instance.

Due to the current skills and worker shortages across production industries, we will see more and more automation, Bartissol predicts. We used to have very long runs in production lines but now these have shortened, meaning we need to work in a more agile mode to rapidly adapt to changes. We now see a new domain emerging called intralogistics, which is the merging of robots, AMRs, forklifts, conveyors and automated storage capabilities, among other things. All these elements are connected by a global controller PRC or MES to create wholly automated warehouse systems.

Looking to the near future, Bartissol foresees the combination of AMRs and AI to be adopted effectively in logistics centres and production lines, with humans playing their part at the beginning and end of the product development and manufacturing process, but not in the middle.

Most of this will be robots working together with human beings in a safe and optimised system, he says. The actors are transforming themselves, and we see more and more integration capabilities and layers all in one place. The ones who are investing now and investing heavily are the ones who will likely win in the future.

DIGITAL TWIN SIMULATIONS

As Bartissol says, simulation-driven design is closely interlinked with digital twins, where engineers can model and simulate various scenarios and designs of machines in order to capture and feed data into the AI algorithms on the 3DEXPERIECE platform.

Engineers can adapt the digital twin of a machine to optimise different simulations and analyse the data, such as the event of a machine crash or failure, he explains. Through this, you can see the cause and understand how to prevent this. Also, by observing the behaviour of the equipment over time, you will be able to predict the next failure. Simulation of models helps you to not only understand the past, but also navigate into the future and improve overall equipment efficiency.

Now, some of our customers are asking us to create specific twins of each machine: an engineering twin, a manufacturing twin, and in the future a field twin. This allows the opportunity to switch to an equipment-as-a-service business model. MODSIM AI will serve not only during new product development, but also when the equipment is in operation and requires maintenance.

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Intelligent systems engineering with modelling, simulation and AI - Engineer Live