Can Diverse Algae Growing together Enhance Yield?
An interesting experiment will be done over the next few months at University of Michigan (UM). The goal is to test the idea that certain naturally diverse groups of algae have complementary traits that enhance the efficiency and stability of biofuel yield beyond what any single species can do alone. The project involves an unusual collaboration among ecologists, evolutionary biologists and engineers. While some scientists had suggested that species diversity might increase the efficiency of algal biofuel systems, but nobody has set up the experiments to test it directly. These will be the first.
Researchers will make multiple measurements of the various algae combinations to assess their efficiency and yield. Stability of the various combinations will be tested by measuring their response to changes in water temperature and the introduction of undesirable algae species.
UM scientists believe that this idea, if proven successful, will be an important milestone which helps in the commercialization of algae biofuel.
More on the topic: http://www.ns.umich.edu/new/multimedia/slideshows/21612-biodiversity-and-biofuels-u-m-researchers-land-2m-grant-to-cooperate-with-nature-on-growing-algae-for-energy
