research plan for modelling sap flow in maple and birch...

Sap Research Grant Applications

Research Plan forModelling Sap Flow in Maple and Birch Trees

John Stockie

CFD Research Group Meeting

http://www.math.sfu.ca/˜stockie/research/cfdgroup.html

November 28, 2016

CFD Group Meeting – Nov. 28, 2016 Maple research plan 1/19

http://www.math.sfu.ca/~stockie/research/cfdgroup.html


Outline

1 Sap Research

2 Grant Applications



Background

Certain trees (maple, birch, walnut, . . . )are very different from other species inthe following sense:

high sap sugar content (' 1%)capable of generating high stem pressurewhen in a leafless statecertain unusual structural characteristics

This makes harvesting their sap forhuman consumption viable

We resolved a long-standing controversyover the physical mechanism responsiblefor freeze/thaw-induced sap exudation inmaple and walnut:

– Graf, Ceseri & Stockie. J R Soc Interface, 2015

– my PIMS–CSC Seminar talk on October 14



Mathematical Model – Microscale

This is a multiphysics, multiscale problem! On the cellular ormicro-scale, we solve a reference cell problem . . .

Simple (1D) radial geometry

Stefan condition governing movingsolid/liquid interface

Heat equation, but quasi-steadyapproximation reduces to lineartemperature

Porous flow through cell walls

Henry’s law governing gasdissolution

Osmosis due to sugarconcentration differences



Mathematical Model – Macroscale

Then on an entire tree stem, we solve a macro-scale problem:

Cylindrical geometry

Mixed temperature-enthalpy formof the heat equation

Homogenization couples micro-and macro-scales:

integral source term in heatequationsolution-dependent thermaldiffusion coefficient

Ωε



Basic Research Plan

Current state of affairs:

Multiscale model for free/thaw mechanism:captures physical processes on the cellular scale (coupledsystem of PDAEs)uses periodic homogenization to “up-scale” heat transport tothe tree stem (2D cross-section)gives new biological/physiological insights into the essentialprocesses governing exudationvalidated against controlled lab experiments on black walnut

Maryam: comparing numerical simulations to experiments onred/sugar maple (University of Vermont)

Bebart: PDE models for (1) transpiration-driven flow and (2)heat transport in a tapered tree stem – paper(s) in preparation

Isabell: just submitted a theoretical paper on homogenizationresults to IMA J. Appl. Math.



Future Plans

Continue experimental validation work, submit paper toTree Physiology (now)

Extend multiscale model to 3D, add taphole BC, applyvacuum pressure (1 yr)

Use models/codes to perform parameter studies and optimizesap yield under various harvesting and climate scenarios(2-3 yrs)

Apply to bigleaf maple: unclear whether freeze/thaw cyclesare required (2 yrs)

Extend to white birch: pressure is generated in roots, notstem (2-5 yrs)

More fundamental studies of sap flow, with and withouttranspiration (5+ yrs)



Tree Species Ccomparison

Species Age Sugar % Range Size Leaf

Sugar 200 yrs 2–5

Red 100 yrs 1.7

Bigleaf 250 yrs 1

White birch 30 (100) yrs 1



Tree Sap Industry

Sugar maple: 9.5M gals, $400M, 70% from QC (2014)

Bigleaf maple: <1,000 gals (Vancouver Island)10,000 times smaller!

White birch: ∼1,000 gals, 5× price (Alaska)

Odd features of maple (and other specialty) syrup industries:

Most are small family operations (individual “farmers”) ANDthey’re in remote areas.

A few industry associations have small amounts of research funding:NAMSC (1¢/container), OMSPA, Citadelle (?).

Any other funding comes from provincial agriculture agencies.

Potential for birch syrup production is enormous!



Possible Sources of FundingIn decreasing order of likelihood:

NSERC Discovery Grant 3North American Maple Syrup Council

(NAMSC) Research Fund 3NSERC Engage and Engage Plus ∗Mitacs Accelerate & Elevate 3∗?

Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Farming

and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) 7∗Ontario Maple Syrup ProducersAssociation (OMSPA) ∗Citadelle (QC is complex & mystifying)

USDA, NSF 7∗ (through UVM, travel)

Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC

Canada–BC Agri-Innovation Program

Canadian Tree Fund 7 (arboriculture)

(3=successful; 7=failed; ∗=planned)

Companies and other organizations:

Wild Forest Food(Hope, bigleaf and birch)

52 North Beverages(Burnaby, birch)

Sweet Tree Ventures(Quesnel, birch)

Vancouver Island Sapsuckers(Duncan, bigleaf)

( =contacted)



Outline

1 Sap Research

2 Grant Applications



Identifying Potential Funders

Research granting programs:

Familiarize yourself with programs of NSERC, Mitacs, . . .

Talk to someone in your Office of Research Services. At SFU,check “databases” available athttp://www.sfu.ca/ors/fundingopportunities.html.

Do a Google search.

Industrial partners:

Mitacs: check internship projects list, contact a BusinessDevelopment Officer.

NSERC: check list of eligible partner organizations andfunders of CRD grants.

Read local newspapers and business magazines.

Do a Google search.


http://www.sfu.ca/ors/fundingopportunities.html


Writing Grant Applications

Consider similar questions as you would for journal papers,scholarships, etc.:

What do you propose to do?Why is it novel or important?How does it fit the program guidelines or objectives?Why are you the one to be doing this?Has the area been studied before? If so, what’s been done?Why do think your plan is feasible?What will you do if your initial approach fails?What resources and expertise are available at your institution?What special issues or constraints surround your specifictarget funding organization or program?

Source: “Making the right moves: A practical guide toscientific management for postdocs and new faculty”(2nd ed., Howard Hughes Medical Institute, 2006)

http://www.hhmi.org/developing-scientists/making-right-moves




Parts of a Grant Application

Executive summary

Literature review

Research plan

Recent progress and/or preliminary results, if applicable

Short and long term objectives (both!)

Timeline or Gantt chart

Budget, carefully justified

Your CV



Grant-writing Tips

Follow instructions carefully, paying special attention toeligibility and budget requirements.

In particular, stick to formatting instructions: margins, fonts,headers/footers, page restrictions.

Make sure spelling and grammar are perfect.

Keep aims short/punchy, and use emphasis where needed.

Avoid acronyms and excessive technical terminology.

Include numbers and details, but don’t overdo it.

Try to leverage various sources of funds.

Keep your audience in mind!

Don’t include everything you want to do! Restrict yourself toa list that is doable/believable/exciting/relevant.



Basic vs. Applied Research

If you are applying for a grant from a government or industrialfunding source, then keep the following in mind:

There are surely some (many?) readers who won’t bespecialists in your field, or even scientists.

Funders are more concerned about deliverables: reports,software, concrete improvements to products or processes, . . .

Timelines tend to be shorter (months instead of years).

Intellectual property can be a major issue.

Your university may take an overhead cut: up to 25% inCanada, 50% in the USA.

Make sure that expectations regarding publication are clear.

If possible, discuss with an agency representative beforestarting your application.

An industrial grant application reads very differently from anacademic one!



Industrial Mathematics: Final Words of Advice

Just because you can apply for money (and succeed) doesn’tmean that you should.

When formulating objectives, include at least a few thatyou’ve nearly completed or else are easy to accomplish.(the dirty secret)

Knowing how to talk to industrialists is an acquired skill.

Aim for those funders that will permit you the freedom to doat least some fundamental research.

Try to turn any consulting opportunities into funding forstudents (avoids taxes). (Mitacs Accelerate internships)



Some On-line Resources

“Making the Right Moves: A Practical Guide to Scientific Managementfor Postdocs and New Faculty” (2nd ed.), HHMI, 2006.http://www.hhmi.org/developing-scientists/making-right-moves

“How to Write a Research Project Grant Application”, NIH-NINDS, Oct.2016. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/write_grant_doc.htm

“Writing a good grant proposal”, Microsoft Research.http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/simonpj/

papers/Proposal.html

“Are there examples of (successful) NSF mathematics proposals availableanywhere online?”, MathOverflow question 39168, Sept. 17, 2010.http://mathoverflow.net/questions/39168

“Writing for Success: Applying for Funding”, SIAM Blogs, Nov. 12, 2014.http://blogs.siam.org/writing-for-success



http://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/write_grant_doc.htm

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/simonpj/papers/Proposal.html

http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/people/simonpj/papers/Proposal.html

http://mathoverflow.net/questions/39168

http://blogs.siam.org/writing-for-success

research plan for modelling sap flow in maple and birch...

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