Oilgae Blog - The Latest from the World of Algae Fuels
Collaboration Formed to Develop Fuels from Algae Oil
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Endicott Biofuels, LLC, a Houston-based, next-generation biodiesel producer, and TransAlgae, Ltd., an algal biotechnology company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the development of algae as a potential transportation fuel and renewable chemical feedstock source.
TransAlgae’s mission is to develop commercially viable algae strains for a variety of algae biomass growth platforms in order to deliver cost effective transportation fuels as well as other non-energy applications.
For the past year, Endicott has been involved in a fully flexible feedstock development program for the production of biodiesel, which includes algae oil-to-biodiesel commercialization. Among its future development plans are technologies that provide a higher degree of freedom for algae producers in algae strain selection and algae oil extraction for the production of biofuels.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Strains
Key Role for Ancient Protein in Algae Photosynthesis
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Krishna Niyogi, a biologist with Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley, led the discovery that an ancient light harvesting protein, LHCSR, functions as a molecular “dimmer switch” that helps prevent green algae from absorbing too much sunlight during photosynthesis and suffering oxidation damage as a consequence.
Labels: Algae-Strains
The Defence Research Laboratory, India Identifies Oil Producing Algae
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Minister of Defence Minister Shri AK Antony says The Defence Research Laboratory, (DRL), Tezpur is engaged in R&D work related to Bio-diesel from algae. They seem to have identify four strains which has maximum lipid content upto 40 %, for extraction of Bio-diesel. in a written reply to Shri Pradeep Majhi and Shri Kishnbhai V Patel in Lok Sabha. He also said that the algal samples have been collected from the following places in Assam :-
Nagon, Sonitpur, Mangaldai, Karbi Anglog, Golaghat, Jorhat, Nalbari, Kamrup, Dhubri, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Dhemaji and Goalpara.
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Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Strains
An Interesting Article on Kelp
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I came across an interesting article on a commonly found macroalgae - kelp on the Epoch Times.
Kelp—the Wonder Plant - This article highlights the various application of kelp.
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Targeted Growth Engineers Algae for Oil Production
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Targeted Growth, one of the leaders in genetic research, is trying to boost the oil content. It has already created versions of cyanobacteria with 20 percent to 40 percent of their mass in lipid. Next year, it hopes to show that it can produce this type of algae in large enough quantities to support a pilot manufacturing facility. Ideally, Targeted will be able to show that its algae can produce 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of oil a year per acre and show a pathway to get to 4,000 to 6,000 gallons an acre a year.
Cyanobacteria, or blue green algae, are not incredibly oily. Only about 5 percent to 10 percent of their body mass in a natural state consists of lipids, which can be turned into biofuel, according to Margaret McCormick, general manager of the biobased materials unit at Targeted Growth. By contrast, some species of Botryococcus can achieve a lipid content of up to 70 percent to 80 percent after genetic engineering.
Source: Greentechmedia.com
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Algae Biofuels Measurement with Raman-Specific Spectrometer
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The Raman-specific 1064 nanometres spectrometer resolves fluorescence issues seen at lower wavelengths:
Traditionally, these microalgae were treated in bulk, lyophilised or in extracted forms, making it impossible to assess the information on fundamental biological processes in the single-cell or sub-cellular level. Utilising the new 1064 nanometres Raman spectrometer, in situ, in vivo and label-free Raman characterisations of modelled algal lipids are made, extracted algal oil, and most importantly, single living algae. Studies have demonstrated a label-free and direct method to obtain quantitative information of chain length and degree of unsaturation of the oil produced inside algae. It also connects with the important issues of the cloud point and the quality of algal biodiesel. Single-cell, real-time, and in vivo study of algae, with various lipid-triggering mechanisms, enables the possibility of researching and engineering of the best conditions and the best species for algal growth and oil production.
Labels: Algae-Equipments, Algae-Strains
Indian and Canadian scientists are Manupulating Algae Geneticallyfor Oil
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Indian and Canadian scientists are jointly researching means to use algae to generate oil and cut down greenhouse gases.The project involves researchers from the Centre for Ecological Sciences (CES), Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and those from Canada-based Manitoba University.
But the first step, which CES researchers are involved in, is to identify which algae secrete more oil and to develop a method to genetically manipulate the identified algae to ensure they secrete more oil, according to TV Ramachandra, senior CES faculty member who is heading the IISc team in this venture.
The genetic manipulation would be done by the Manitoba University team. At the IISc lab, researchers are culturing algae to identify those yielding maximum oil.
Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Strains
Method of Production of Biofuel from The Surface of the Open Ocean
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This interesting patent is about using sargassum seaweed for biofuel production - Method of Production of Biofuel from the Surface of the Open Ocean by Michael Markels
What is claimed is:
A method of producing biofuel from the surface of the ocean waters comprising the following steps:
(1) testing a water surface of an ocean to determine a time period that said water will remain for a biofuel generation;
(2) testing said water surface to determine a first nutrient that is missing to a first extent that limits the growth of a first plant life;
(3) applying said first missing nutrient in a form that remains available to said first plant life;
(4) harvesting a first harvested portion of an increased biomass of said first plant life that results from said applying;
(5) removing a first returnable portion from said first harvested portion to leave a remainder of said first harvested portion, and spreading said first returnable portion on said water surface; and
(6) processing said remainder of said first harvested portion into a biofuel component.
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Algae Fuel Research by Donald Danforth Plant Science Center & The Washington University
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Researchers at two centers in St. Louis are gearing up to launch five-year research programs on algae, backed by U.S. DOE grants. The Donald Danforth Plant Science Center received $15 million and Washington University $20 million from the DOE’s fund for Energy Frontier Research Centers. A total of 46 centers were funded from a pool of some 260 applications.
Danforth’s Center for Advanced Biofuels Systems will be led by Richard Sayre. Sayre said the new team of researchers will be studying the conversion of energy captured from photosynthesis in the single cell algae and how it is channeled into oil.
The Washington University project will focus on the biophysics of light while the Danforth Center project focuses on biochemical conversion of that light into oil. Both programs are hiring personnel and organizing to officially launch the programs in August.
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Texas Researchers are Working on Saltwater Algae for Biofuel Production
Texas researchers are working to transform algae fuel into a commercially competitive process. Both Texas A&M and the University of Texas at Austin are deeply involved in algae research, and private corporations in Texas also are exploring its potential. Texas A&M is producing oil-rich algae at a test facility just west of Pecos.
At the test facility near Pecos, researchers are growing algae in raceway ponds. Bob Avant, bio-energy program director for Texas AgriLife Research said researchers are working with saltwater algae that have a higher oil content than that found in freshwater varieties. And there are other advantages. If the saltwater algae find their way into a freshwater lake or stream, they're unlikely to survive and create problems for native species.
Periodically, a portion of the algae in a raceway is removed to be processed. Deprived of nutrients, the algae is basically stressed out, which causes it to produce more oil. The cell walls of the algae are broken down to extract the oil.
Researchers in Pecos are using centrifuges for that presently, but Avant said that new techniques need to be developed to make that process more economical.
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University of Coimbra Researchers Identify Six Oil-producing Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.A team of researchers from the faculty of science and technology of the University of Coimbra is attempting to produce biodiesel on a commercial scale from microscopic algae. They have identified six micro-algae which have massive potential for biodiesel production. One strain is already being tested in a high-capacity bioreactor which handles large quantities of oil for conversion to biodiesel. In the next few months, the researchers will test five other strains with high oil content. At the same time, they will optimise the large-scale production process, in order to bring this new technology to market. The minimum objective of the project is to produce an average of 90,000 litres per hectare per year.
Source: Environmental expert.com
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Strains
Algae Fuel Research by Appalachian State University students
A team of seven Appalachian State University students received honorable mention this past weekend during the People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) Competition for their research with algae as a source of alternative energy. The event was sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
A team of Appalachian students use algae to produce oil that can be used to make biofuel. Photo by Holt Menzies
The contest, held April 18-20 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., highlighted some of the brightest minds and ideas concerning sustainability. The competition was also part of the National Sustainable Design Expo.
A team of Appalachian students use algae to produce oil that can be used to make biofuel. Photo by Holt Menzies
For the team, headed by industrial technology graduate student Erika R. Porras, the competition was the fruition of nearly two years of effort.
“The idea came to out of a class I took in August 2007,” Porras said. “I applied and sent the proposal in around December 2007, received notification of the award in April or May 2008 and then actually received the grant in September 2008.”
Porras’ team received a $10,000 grant for phase one of the competition, which allowed the team to design and build an alga-cultural facility in Vilas, where they cultivated chlorella. Chlorella is a heartier type of algae that is easy to grow and is able to withstand a broad range of temperature, senior biology major Zachery Spivey said.
One of the major benefits of the program is the use of bio waste, or simple landfill waste, to produce biodiesel, Porras said.
“The major goal of the project was to research and demonstrate how the use of food waste could be beneficial for alternative energy,” Porras said. “We used a fast-growing organism to produce an oil that can be used for biodiesel.”
To do this, the team constructed an algae photo-bioreactor. They grew the chlorella in a solar greenhouse with carbon dioxide diverted from bio waste methane emissions to the algae. This exhibited how problem waste can be converted into an alternative source of energy, the team said.
The team first grew the algae in a complicated gyrating system of tubes, vents and lights, before it was transferred to a smaller pond within the greenhouse where it could be harvested for the purpose of extracting oil for biodiesel.
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Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Photobioreactor, Algae-Strains
The Waltham Technologies - Bioengineered algae for waste water treatment
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Waltham Technologies, Inc. is focusing on developing and commercializing innovative methods to clean water.Waltham Technologies System safely bioengineers algae so the organism’s required production of Vitamin B12 is chained to the production of new genes. These introduced genes enable the organisms to rapidly digest contaminates in the water and produce valuable products.
Many industries will benefit from this technology but the most rapidly accessed market is helping breweries, wineries and beverage producers make a profit while cleaning their wastewater. These industries create between 1 and 9 gallons of wastewater for every gallon of saleable product
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation-Sewage, Algae-Strains
Solazyme Differs from its Competitors for its Algae Strains
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Dillon started Solazyme with some colleagues in 2003 , and kept a culture collection of a couple hundred Chlamydomonas strains in his own low-tech facility. "We bought the growth media, sterilized it in my kitchen, and stored it in the garage," he remembers.
They tried to grow the algae in outdoor ponds, but quickly realized that the productivity of the algae was nowhere near high enough to yield appreciable amounts of fuel. So they switched to heterotrophic species of algae, which directly consume carbon-based compounds rather than passively absorbing carbon dioxide from surrounding media.
Dillon says that he expects Solazyme to be producing algal biofuel at "demonstration levels of tens to thousands of gallons" per day by 2009, and aims to be producing its fuel products at commercial levels by 2011. "The scalability is not something that frightens me too much," he says.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Strains
Presence of Lignin in Red Algae Discovered
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Lignin, a principal component of wood, is a glue-like substance that helps fortify cell walls and is instrumental in the transport of water in many plants.
Like many land plants, this red seaweed produces lignin, a primary component of wood.
In a study published in today's issue of the journal Current Biology, lead author Patrick Martone and colleagues describe using powerful chemical and microscopic anatomy techniques to identify and localize lignin within cell walls of a red alga that thrives along the wave-swept California coast. Martone conducted the work described in the paper while a graduate student and postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of co-author Mark Denny, Professor of Biology at Stanford's Hopkins Marine Station.
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Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Strains
AXI develop Algae Strains for Biofuel Production
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Rose Ann Cattolico displays some of the varieties of algae she studies in her University of Washington laboratory. Different types of algae can produce different types of biofuels.AXI was created as an alliance between the University of Washington and Allied Minds, a seed investment company that works with universities to commercialize early-stage technology. In particular, it was the work of Rose Ann Cattolico at the university, who has been studying the physiology of algae for more than 30 years, that interested Allied Minds.
Different types of algae, such as single-celled organisms or large kelps (seaweeds), will produce different lipids (or oils) depending on the conditions in which they are grown. This is because the plants produce varying numbers of carbon-carbon links under different growth conditions. Biodiesel, for example, requires lipids that have 14 carbon-carbon links and AXI says it will choose the best algae for each type of fuel application.
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Strains
Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) Researcher Explores Algae
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Yanna Liang, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, is working on ways to improve and extract naturally occurring substances in certain algae strains that can be used to create biodiesel fuel.Of the huge number of algae types, Liang is focusing her research on two varieties that appear to have particular potential.
Dr. Yanna Liang, Ph.D.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale,.
One, Chlorella vulgaris, is a fresh-water alga that uses carbon dioxide to grow and create lipids, substances similar to those found in corn and used to produce vegetable oil. As an autotrophic organism, it is relatively slow growing but produces cells with high lipid content.
The second strain - Schizochytrium limacinum SR21 - is a seawater alga that is heterotrophic, meaning it must be "fed" a carbon source in place of carbon dioxide. This particular strain can use glycerin, which is a byproduct - often a waste product - of biodiesel production. Liang sees a particular advantage in this, as the strain might be integrated into the production stream at some point, creating greater efficiency and less waste.
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Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Strains
OriginOil Lab with Two Test Batches of Nannochloropsis Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Reuters.com has published a picture of Nicholas Eckelberry, co-founder and inventor of OriginOil, standing next to two test batches of nannochloropsis algae at the company's laboratory in Los Angeles
http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/searchpopup?picId=7690856
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Labels: Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Strains
Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur, India is working on fresh water algae as source for bio-diesel
You are at: Oilgae Blog.India's premier defence research agency, DRDO, will develop a medium-range and long- endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in association with an Indian industry partner.
Defence Minister A K Antony said the Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur is working on fresh water algae to use them as source for bio-diesel.
"DRL is trying to identify a fresh water algal strain in North-Eastern region as a source of higher lipid content, which can be converted in to bio-diesel," he said.
"The laboratory is collecting samples of micro algae from different districts in North east for identification of a strain, which has higher amount of lipid contents for bio-fuel production," he added.
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Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Strains
Scripps Institution of Oceanography see algae as a “green bullet”
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Gerwick’s team is working on methods to rapidly identify algae species to address situations in which algal biofuel ponds of one species are contaminated with another.
They are also using an imaging technique called mass spectrometry to explore the inner workings of organisms at the molecular level. The tool is helping the scientists determine the mechanisms of the genes that produce lipid molecules in the hopes of boosting lipid oil production by adding certain molecules to algal cultures.
Like Gerwick, Scripps biologist Mark Hildebrand only recently initiated algal biofuel studies in his laboratory at Scripps’ Hubbs Hall.
Hidebrand is optimistic about algae’s contribution to future bioenergy solutions, but he is realistic about the challenges ahead. And he is especially sensitive to misinformation being generated to the public about algae and biofuel. He particularly winces when he comes across public descriptions of biofuel algae as “common pond scum.”
For the record, many algae targeted for biofuel inhabit the sea, rather than terrestrial ponds. And the algae Hildebrand studies, tiny algae called diatoms, are far from scummy. He is quick to point out, backed by striking nano-scale images of the one-celled organisms, that they, in fact, can be quite beautiful.
He and members of his lab are probing a catch-22 presented in algal biofuel research. Algae mainly produce desired lipid oils when they are starved for nutrients. Yet if they are limited in nutrients, they don’t grow well. Give them a healthy diet of nutrients and they grow just fine, but they produce carbohydrates instead of lipids.
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Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Strains
Dunaliella & Spirulina Algae in Raceway Ponds
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Here's another interesting image of Dunaliella algae (left) contrasted with Spirulina in 20,000 gallon ponds.
Credit: Carbon Capture Corporation
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Labels: Algae-Strains
Spirulina Algae in a Raceway Pond with Paddle Wheels - A nice picture
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Here's a nice and good clarity picture of spirulina algae being produced in a raceway pond. You can see the large paddle wheels that circulate the water around.
Image credit - Carbon Capture Corporation
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Labels: Algae-Strains
Marine Nanoplankton to Methane & Oil Using Emiliania huxleyi
You are at: Oilgae Blog.One interesting possibility for producing fuel from algae is the direct pyrolysis of microalgae. Wu et al. (1999) report the direct pyrolysis of marine nanoplankton as a source of methane and oils with Emiliania huxleyi, a widely distributed coccolithophorid species in world oceans with the authors suggesting this as one of the most promising candidates for the production of biofuel.
Does anyone have any more inputs on this?
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Labels: Algae-Methane, Algae-Strains
Jerry Brand - U of Texas Algae Culture Collection Director
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Jerry Brand is a very popular brand in the field of algae today - both for his department's wonderful culture collection and the good assistance it provides to those who wish to source the cultures, as well for the fact that he is an authority on algae.
Here's his bio page @ the Univ
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Labels: Algae-Strains
Hawaii has four ‘bad guy’ algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.In Hawaii, four "bad guy" alien invasive species of algae pose a clear threat to the reefs, marine life and native species of algae.
Hypnea musciformis - Maui's most problematical species - arrived in Hawaii in 1974, when it was introduced to Oahu's Kaneohe Bay as part of an unsuccessful aquaculture project. It is believed to have spread to other islands via boat traffic.
Hypnea grows in clumps and has intertwining branches with flattened tips and distinctive hooks at the end of them. When a clump is removed, the hooks remain behind to regrow, making it a difficult species to eradicate. Yellow-colored in sunlight and dark red in shade, hypnea attaches to flat rocks on the ocean bottom.
Kappaphycus spp. is another fast-growing species found on the windward side of Oahu in Kaneohe Bay but not yet on Maui or the other islands. It grows by fragmentation of its thick, spiny branches and has the capacity to turn a life-filled diverse reef into a seaweed-dominated habitat with far fewer life forms. It can appear green, red or yellowish-orange, depending on lighting.
Gracilaria salicornia can be yellow to brownish green in color with cylindrical, but often flattened, branches. Currently found only in Hilo Bay of the Big Island and in Kaneohe Bay, this species shows a preference for calm, protected waters and forms large mats that effectively outcompete native species.
The fourth alien species is Acanthopora spicifera. It arrived in the islands in 1950 via a barge from Guam. It invaded Oahu first then spread to all of the islands. This species thrives on the high nutrient content in our coastal waters and reproduces rapidly.
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Labels: Algae-Strains
Sapphire Energy's Method - GM + Open Ponds?
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Genetic engineering also influences how Sapphire will grow its algae. It wants to grow the algae in open, saline ponds, rather than sealed bioreactors, like Greenfuel. The company also says that it has minimized the danger of rogue algal blooms from its genetically enhanced algae ponds as well as the risk that natural strains will out-compete its algae or eliminate its special qualities through hybridization.
Algae execs at competitors tend to scoff at this notion. The challenges keeping wild species at bay, getting consistent results generation to generation represent massive problems. And one can only imagine the land-use hearings when Sapphire says it wants to build a pond to raise GMO algae. Again, it is their job to scoff, but they have a point.
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Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Energy-Companies, Algae-Strains
Arizona State University, Univ of Virginia Team Up for Algae Fuel, Get $3M
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Arizona State University officials said today researchers have received a $3 million for a new algae spinoff company that's developed a kerosene-based aviation fuel derived from algae.
The scientists leading the effort are professors Qiang Hu and Milton Sommerfeld of ASU’s Laboratory for Algae Research & Biotechnology. The team said the new approach has cost reduction benefits much greater than traditional methods of producing kerosene from petroleum.
The new biofuel initiative is a collaborative project between Heliae Development, LLC and Science Foundation Arizona. This project will focus on the commercial production of kerosene from algae using technology patented by the two scientists.
Professors Hu and Sommerfeld have identified and characterized algal strains capable of converting portions of their cellular mass into oil that contains high concentration of medium chain fatty acids. When the oil is deoxygenated, the resulting hydrocarbon chains are similar to those found in kerosene. When mixed with small amounts of fuel additives, called JP8 or Jet A, the fuel is suitable for jet planes.
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Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Strains
AXI, LLC - Allied Minds Partners with Univ of Washington for Algae Biofuels
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.BOSTON, Aug. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Minds, a seed investment corporation specializing in early stage university business ventures, has partnered with the University of Washington to establish AXI, LLC to commercialize novel technology to develop and create commercially advantageous strains of algae for the production of biofuels.
AXI is developing algal strains that will bridge the gap between the promise of clean energy generation and the reality of economical biofuel production systems. Of the many feedstocks that can be used for biodiesel, algae are emerging as the clear winner because significant biomass can be produced on non-arable lands (thus avoiding the food vs. fuel debate) and CO2 (a greenhouse gas) supports their growth. "Our proprietary methodology for developing specific growth and productivity traits will help any algal production system improve its output of inexpensive, oil-rich algae as the raw material for the generation of biofuel," says Biology Professor Rose Ann Cattolico, developer of the AXI technology at the University of Washington.
Full news release from here
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Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Labels: Algae-Cultivation, Algae-Strains
Algal Oil Project Awarded Western Region Sun Grant 2007 Award
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.One of the awardees for Western Region (USA) Sun Grant Initiative 2007 award is David Holland of Washington State Univ:"Assessment of salt tolerant algae as a potential biodiesel feedstock through genetic screening and field tests. • Regional Economic Analysis of Feedstock Production and Processing in the Pacific Northwest: Expected Economic Impact, David Holland, Washington State University (2-year project, $200,000 total)." - Source: Grainnet
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Labels: Algae-Strains
Algae on the Edge
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
Algae on the Edge
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Aquatic Species Program identified about 300 species of algae that have the potential to produce thousands of gallons of biodiesel per acre. Researchers and entrepreneurs are on the cusp of bringing this promising technology to commercial production.
Read more and see from algae to biodiesel photos at this page @ Biodiesel Magazine, Mar 2007 issue
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general.
Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Strains
Which are the Best Algal Strains for Oil?
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
Which are the Best Algal Strains for Oil?
The following is a question-answer combo at the Yahoogroup Oil from Algae -
Question: It seems there are numerous designs for small scale photobioreactors and large scale outdoor systems. However, there seems to be a lack ofreal information on which strains are producing oil on a continuousbasis. I am looking to grow algae in a tropical region, abundantsunlight, near 5MT/yr of CO2, close to the ocean, brackish water andbitterns from an evaporative salt plant. It would seem logical to usethe bitterns to produce an extreme environment so as to grow amonoculture of algae. Strains such as Dunaliella salina would ideallygrow in this type of environment but alas the growth yield (50T/yr/Ha)and oil content (6-8%) is what is usually reported. Are there anyother reported strains that would grow in extreme habitats(halophilic) and have reasonable oil yields? Is everyone keeping theirstrains to themselves? So come on share and let's grow 'em!
Answer: (by Bobby Yates Emory) Navid reported positive results with CCMP647. His test included outdoors in Perth, Aust. It is a marine species. The growth rate is high (doubling every 2 + or - .9 days). High oil (30 to 40 %, if I remember right.)I would try to put the pond as far away from the ocean and brackish standing water as you can, so you don't get invasive species from the ocean and bird droppings.
(I think that Navid's research pond was within 4 KM of the ocean and he report no problems with invasive species and with diseases.)
Navid's thesis is referenced at:http://wwwlib. murdoch.edu. au/adt/browse/ view/adt- MU20050901. 140745
That contains an abstract and links to the front matter of the thesis and to the complete thesis.
Bobby
Original message here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Strains
Source for Purchasing Algae Cultures
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
Source for Purchasing Algae Cultures
I had been getting a number of emails from folks who wish to know where they can procure live algae cultures from.
The following is one company I found
Aquatic Eco ( & the algae culture category here)
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Strains
The Culture Collection of Algae at Indiana University
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
The Culture Collection of Algae at Indiana University
Richard C. StarrAmerican Journal of Botany, Vol. 51, No. 9 (Oct., 1964), pp. 1013-1044
doi:10.2307/2440254
Abstract
A list is presented of cultures of algae available for purposes of research and teaching. The list includes 753 Chlorophyta; 94 Chrysophyta; 56 Cyanophyta; 55 Euglenophyta; 7 Pyrrophyta; 6 Rhodophyta; 1 species of Phaeophyta; and 5 residual flagellates. Formulae of culture media and directions for maintaining the cultures are included, as are instructions for evoking the sexual process in species of Chlamydomonas, Astrephomene, Pandorina, Eudorina, Cosmarium, Closterium, Oedogonium, Bulbochaete, and Vaucheria.
Original report and ordering info here
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Strains
Phycotechnology - How Microbial Geneticists Might Help
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
Phycotechnology, Algal Strains - How Microbial Geneticists Might Help
A 1983 research paper
Abstract
Algal strains could be developed that can be harvested easily and cheaply and are superior to wild types in growth rate, final yield, and biochemical composition. This might be accomplished by selecting suitable strains from nature, inducing changes by mutagenesis, and genetically recombining desirable features. The potential of such algal cultivars for biomass production needs to be exploited.
Read more from this Jstor page
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Strains
SERI Microalgae culture collection, 1986-1987
You are at: Oilgae Blog. See the complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
SERI Microalgae culture collection, 1986-1987
BARCLAY, W; JOHANSEN, J; CHELF, P; NAGLE, N; ROESSLER, P; LEMKE, P
The SERI Microalgae Culture Collection provides a repository for strains identified or developed for mass culture biomass production and makes these strains readily available to the research community. The strains in the collection have been selected for their potential in biomass fuel applications, and many produce significant quantities of cellular storage lipids. All of the newly added strains have been recently isolated by SERI and its subcontractors in organized screening programs. Many have been tested in outdoor mass culture systems, and several have demonstrated excellent performance as biomass producers. The strains added to the collection this year have been isolated from inland saline waters and marine waters. We believe that the strains in this collection can provide a source of extremely useful organisms, both for laboratory experimentation and for mass culture research. Most of the strains are currently nonaxenic. Again this year, cultures will be shipped free of charge to interested researchers. An important function of the culture collection catalog, in addition to listing the available strains, is to provide culture and performance data for each of the organisms. By collecting a summary of the requirements and characteristics of these organisms, we hope to allow requestors of cultures to begin productive research with a minimum of preliminary work on culture techniques. (DOE)
Key words: ALGAE; BIOMASS; BIOSYNTHESIS; CELLS (BIOLOGY); VEGETATION GROWTH; BIOMASS ENERGY PRODUCTION; CULTURE TECHNIQUES; LIPIDS; METHANE; MICROORGANISMS; PH; SALINITY
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog; The complete list of Oilgae Blog articles.
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
Labels: Algae-Strains
A Gooey Picture of Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
A Gooey Picture of Algae
See a rather gooey picture of green algae in this blog entry at Earth Sky
As the entry says, your eyes might say Eeeww but your car could some day very well say Welcome!
Nature gave us oil from algae; perhaps we should try Nature's way again
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
The objective of Oilgae is to facilitate exploration of oil production from algae as well as exploration of other alternative energy avenues.
Labels: Algae-Strains
Biodiesel from Scenedesmus Obliquus Algae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
Biodiesel from Scenedesmus Obliquus Algae - presented at 2006 Annual Conference - San Francisco, CA - Technical Program Grid
Maria I. Monteverde, Juan C. Flores, and Jose A. Colucci. Chemical Engineering Department University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus, Mayaguez, PR 00680
During decades micro algae have been studied for its nutritional potential value. Recently, other applications involving the use of this common and big contributor to aquatic life organism has emerged. At this time, the technology has improved in such manner that the possibility to produce fuel in the form of oils using this living organism as the raw material is a reality. Studies performed at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) indicate that the oil productivity (pounds/acre-year) of micro algae could be 20 times higher than the best oil producing crop. In this project we will investigate the algae Scenedesmus obliquus which composition demonstrates a big percent of oil. By using Scenedesmus obliquus, which is part of our ecosystem and is very accessible, a more environmental friendly and renewal fuel can be produced. The reproduction of this algae will be achieved using its usual pathway, photosynthesis, taking in consideration its natural ecosystem and creating a setup that includes the correct proportion of carbon dioxide and visible light to reproduce them as in its natural environment. Then, to extract oil more efficiently, the well known method of “expeller/press” will be used to remove the oil produced by this algae. At last but no least, the feasibility of producing biodiesel from this kind of oil will be analyzed and assessed.
Keywords: Scenedesmus obliquus, micro algae, expeller/press
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
To facilitate exploration of oil production from algae as well as exploration of other alternative energy avenues, Oilgae provides web links, directory, and related resources for algae-based biofuels / biodiesel along with inputs on new inventions, discoveries & breakthroughs in other alternative energy domains such as solar, wind, nuclear, hydro, geothermal, hydrogen & fuel cells, gravitational, geothemal, human-powered, ocean & wave / tidal energy. We hope Oilgae proves to be useful as a research information & inputs resources, and as a source of news & info for business & trade of algal oil, algal fuels & new alternative energy products - specially with regard to new feedstock / feedstocks, production processes and uses, and market info such as price / prices, data & statistics
Labels: Algae-Biodiesel, Algae-Strains
Chemical Composition of Tropical Australian Marine Macroalgae
You are at: Oilgae Blog.Do you know that oil derived from algae is an exciting renewable fuel possibility? - see Oilgae for more.
Seasonal Variation in the Chemical Composition of Tropical Australian Marine Macroalgae - Journal of Applied Phycology
The abstract of the research paper is presented here. The research paper of available for download here (PDF format)
Seasonal Variation in the Chemical Composition of Tropical Australian Marine Macroalgae - Susan M. Renaud1 and Jim T. Luong-Van1
(1) Faculty of Science and Primary Industries, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, 0909, Australia
Published online: 10 June 2006
Abstract The proximate chemical composition (ash, soluble carbohydrate, lipid and protein) was determined in 30 common species of tropical Australian marine macroalgae from Darwin Harbour (12?26?S, 130?51?E), in summer (hot and wet) and winter (cool and dry). There was a wide diversity of species in both seasons (19 species in summer and 20 species in winter). In most species, the major component was soluble carbohydrate (chlorophytes range 2.5–25.8% dry weight (dw), phaeophytes range 8.4–22.2% dw, rhodophytes range 18.7–39.2% dw) with significantly higher (p <>Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
About Oilgae - Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae has a focus on biodiesel production from algae while also discussing alternative energy in general. Algae present an exciting possibility as a feedstock for biodiesel, and when you realise that oil was originally formed from algae - among other related plants - you think "Hey! Why not oil again from algae!"
To facilitate exploration of oil production from algae as well as exploration of other alternative energy avenues, Oilgae provides web links, directory, and related resources for algae-based biofuels / biodiesel along with inputs on new inventions, discoveries & breakthroughs in other alternative energy domains such as solar, wind, nuclear, hydro, geothermal, hydrogen & fuel cells, gravitational, geothemal, human-powered, ocean & wave / tidal energy. We hope Oilgae proves to be useful as a research information & inputs resources, and as a source of news & info for business & trade of algal oil, algal fuels & new alternative energy products - specially with regard to new feedstock / feedstocks, production processes and uses, and market info such as price / prices, data & statistics
Labels: Algae-Fuel-Research, Algae-Strains
CCMP647 Marine Phytoplankton
You are at the Oilgae Blog; See also: Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae Home PageCCMP647 is a marine phytoplankton that has high oil content - about 50% of mass. This strain is readily available from CCMP, a US culture collection organization.
It can grow up to 50 % lipid. It doubles in about 2-3 days. Initial field trials have been few with this strain, but some of the trials appear to suggest that this strain can outcompete other invaders.
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae
Oilgae Blog
algOS - Biodiesel from Algae Open Source
Oilgae - Oil & Biodiesel from Algae provides links, provides directory and web links resources for the algae-based biofuels & biodiesel. It is intended to be useful for research, information, inputs, news for buyers, sellers, manufacturers, traders, suppliers, producers, exporters and importers of algal oil and algal fuels. It will make an effort to provide info on biofuel feedstock, algal feedstocks, algae oil info and link, details on fuel from algae, bio-fuel, bio-diesel, bio-fuels, algal oils production and uses, and biofuels trade & market resources, data, statistics such as price, prices, demand-supply for buyer, seller, manufacturer, trader, supplier, exporter and producer
Labels: Algae-Oil-Yield, Algae-Strains
