Now a Redmond company may have found a way to increase algae production tenfold. Engineers at Bionavitas say the problem with algae is it only grows on a very thick layer at the top of a pond or other body of water. Once it covers the surface it blocks the sunlight needed to grow at lower depths.

Redmond’s Bionavitas demonstrates their light immersion technology. The company is working on increasing algae production with a system of light-producing rods

“As you know algae grows at the very top of a pond,” said Michael Weaver, company spokesperson. “And then once it gets dense it starts blocking its own light.”

This company has developed a system of light-producing rods it can use to penetrate the thin algae top layer and deliver the light source needed to produce algae down below. Company officials showed us they can do it in a laboratory setting. They say the next step is for mass production in man-made ponds in the Southwest.