Algae and Biofuels Research within the Systems Microbial Ecology Laboratory

Algal-based biomass production systems have gained attraction as potentially viable sources of energy for alternative fuels development. Rapid growth and oil content of algae grown within enclosed and open systems may produce large oil returns. Research on the tailoring of temperature, light, and nutrient conditions available for these systems for specific algal strains, may help minimize future costs and thus optimize and accentuate returns. Systems engineering for different strains in different seasons may help in reducing water requirements, enhance carbon capturing capacities and help mitigate potential environmental effects associated with large-scale bio-processing operations. Research within DRI’s Systems Microbial Ecology Lab seeks to provide the technical knowledge that may enable viable and environmentally friendly algal-biomass productions systems - especially as they may be developed in conditions relevant to Nevada and the semi-arid southwest region of the US.