Could algae hold the energy answers to our fuel depleted world?
In today's world, energy reserves are being depleted gallon by gallon at an astounding rate. Thanks to the advances of technology and highly funded research we might be able to harness the underutilized power of algae.
- Half of algae's composition, by weight, is lipid oil
- Algae yields around 8,000 gallons of biofuel per acre per year as opposed to corn biofuel at 420 gallons
- Depending on the species, algae can grow in freshwater and saltwater, and in the future could be used to treat wastewater.
courtesy of myredstar.com
The University of Arizona, Tucson is a founding member of the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts (NAABB), a consortium that has received $44 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop algae-based biofuels and other by-products.
Kimberly Ogden, professor of chemical and environmental engineering, leads the UA’s multi-disciplinary team. Other expertise comes from the University’s departments of agriculture and biosystems engineering, plant science, and arid lands. The team will tackle related issues such as quality and quantity of the water used during the algae growth, biological cultivation processes, and reactor design.
Earlier this year The University of Arizona, Tucson started a campaign to raise $1.5 billion to benefit the university and support research goals. As of April there has been $859 million raised via private donations.
Sarah Smallhouse, chair of the UA Foundation Board of Trustees, said the campaign will “focus on investments that yield new discoveries, provide opportunities for student and faculty study and support research on the most pressing and significant issues of our time. It will ensure that the University of Arizona will continue to be a vital local and global community contributor.”
Biotechnology Calendar, Inc. produces an annual life science trade show at University of Arizona, Tucson giving the researchers a chance to discover the newest products and technologies to help further their research. To learn more about exhibiting at the upcoming BioResearch Product Faire™ event at the University of Arizona or if you're a researcher that would like to attend the event at UAZ, visit the links below.
