PNNL Develops Streamlined Process to Evaluate Algae Species
Discovering the best suited algae species for biofuel production in outdoor ponds is tedious. Evaluating algae under laboratory conditions may not always suit best under outdoor pond conditions.
To make that process simple, scientists at PNNL are working on a project Algae DISCOVR – Development of Integrated Screening, Cultivar Optimization and Validation Research. The project aims to minimize the time and cost needed to move promising algal strains from the laboratory and into production.
In the new experiment, dozens of glass cylinders containing algal species are exposed to hundreds of multi-coloured tiny LEDs. These LEDs brighten and dim, mimicking the outdoors’ constantly changing climatic conditions. There are also chillers which cool the algae thus mimicking a cloud passing overhead.
Through this streamlined process, heaps of algal species can be pared down to just a few that hold most promise for renewable fuels.
