The individual projects were selected on the basis of their ability to meet the technical objectives defined by the
Technology Advisory Panel (TAP). During the research, the TAP also provided technical review of progress and direction to the teams. In this way, the projects were integrated to create a single programme of collaborative research, as illustrated in Figure 2.
Plymouth Marine Laboratory
The isolation and development of novel marine micro-algal strains for biofuel production.
Plymouth Marine Laboratory will identify and isolate novel lipid-accumulating algae for the production of biodiesel by using a combination of traditional and state-of-the-art methods.
University of Southampton
Improvement of solar conversion efficiency in marine microalgae.
The efficiency of photosynthetic conversion limits the commercial productivity of algal biofuels. A team of scientists with expertise in studying algae in nature will apply novel technologies in the selection and manipulation of algae that will maximise photosynthetic efficiency.
Queen Mary, University of London
Screening and random mutagenesis to isolate improved algal strains for lipid production in mass culture.
Our project will use "forced evolution" to adapt marine algae for intensive cultivation, and to improve their production of biofuel precursors. We will use a fluorescence imaging technique to identify strains with photosynthetic properties likely to lead to improved growth and biofuel production under the conditions required.
The University of Manchester
Nutrient optimisation for high lipid yield and productivity.
Stress treatment can increase oil content but reduce cell growth giving only minor improvements in oil productivity. To address this we will optimise culture conditions for high oil productivity and quantify cellular changes in the algae to understand the mechanisms of oil production and to generate biomarkers for algae screening.
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University of Sheffield
Characterization of Lipid-Overproducing Algae Isolated using Environmental Stress and Development of High Throughput Screening Methods.
Choosing the correct strain of microalgae is crucial. The main criterion is the overproduction of neutral lipids. After initial screening, mass spectrometry will be used to detect lipids with greater precision. Our aim is to develop a set of experimental techniques that will allow the identification of suitable algal strains.
University of Southampton
System requirements for low-cost energy-efficient algal biomass cultivation for biofuel production.
The research will develop cost-effective innovative low-energy methods for carbon enrichment. The efficiency of these will be matched to the demand for carbon in open channels at different flow depths and velocities. Carbon demand and conversion efficiency will be assessed in laboratory-scale rigs and pilot-scale raceways simulating different surface areas and retention times.
Newcastle University
Application of Chemical Communication Principles to Sustained Mass Algal Culture.
We will develop a chemical toolbox to manipulate and regulate open pond cultures. By harnessing the alga’s own communication systems we hope to be able to exert a gentle, yet decisive influence on the growth and community patterns with open ponds. Our strategy is to work with nature, not against it.
Scottish Association of Marine Sciences
COG (Control of Grazers)
As in terrestrial ecosystems, grazing has the potential to devastate the “crop”. COG aims to develop robust methodologies for the early detection of protozoan “infection” of algal mass-cultures. In addition, management strategies will be developed to prevent/reduce, damage caused by protozoan grazing.
Led by University of Manchester
Ultrasonic extraction of biofuel precursors from single cell algae.
Ultrasound cell filtration technologies focus energy selectively on cells rather than the surrounding medium so are potentially highly efficient. We are developing these methods to replace standard separation techniques, such as continuous centrifugation. Use of multiple ponds and filtration steps will be applied to increase yields.
Coventry University
R&D into cost effective techniques for the extraction of oils/valuable co-products from algae using ultrasound and ionic liquids.
The Sonochemistry Centre at Coventry University has a long history of R&D and the use of ultrasound to control algal blooms from which the Centre has acquired knowledge of the effects of ultrasound on algal cells. It is our aim to find the correct combination of ultrasonic conditions and solvents in order to obtain the oil from the algae.
Led by Newcastle University
Water-tolerant Extraction of Algal Biofuels
Drying algal biomass is one of the most expensive steps in the conversion of algae-to-biofuel. This project involves evaluating the water-tolerance of three different conversion technologies with a view to achieving significantly more cost-effective algal biofuel production. This is achieved by removing process steps, and by reducing the energy requirements.
Led by Swansea University
Algal Biomass Production and Processing: Modelling, Optimisation and Economic and Life Cycle Analyses.
This project will define the operational envelope for the economic production of biofuels from microalgae. A combination of physical, biological and economic modelling will enable a cost-benefit analysis taking into account reactor specification and location, algal ecophysiology, engineering costs of harvesting, dewatering and cell cracking, and nutrient recycling.
Those research teams which achieve their goals in the laboratory will be provided with the opportunity to test their conclusions at a demonstration facility to be developed under Phase two.