Unveiled Findings: Energy Generation from Algae Leads the Way
Diatom-Based Algae Biofuel Research Advances at UC San Diego
The University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) and its associated organisations have been making significant strides in the field of diatom-based algae biofuel research. This research, driven by a desire to wean American dependence on foreign oil and the potential to cut carbon dioxide emissions in half, has expanded from scientific interests to commercial ones.
At the heart of this research is the focus on diatoms, a type of oceanic algae, due to their genetic manipulation potential. The team, led by scientists like Mark Hildebrand and Jeffrey Coates, is developing genetic manipulations to maximize diatoms' production of lipids, the fats used to produce biofuel.
A recent breakthrough came from Emily Trentacoste, a student co-advised by Hildebrand. She was able to "turn off" an enzyme in diatoms that breaks down lipids for energy, causing the algae to accumulate more lipids without slowing their growth.
The contributions of these scientists will likely play an important role in the development of algae biofuels as an industry. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy ranked algal biofuels research programs at UC San Diego as the best and second-best in the country.
The research focuses on leveraging diatoms' unique biological and structural properties, particularly their biosilica shells with hierarchical porous architectures, to enhance biofuel production potential and delivery systems. While specific research activities are not detailed, the natural biosilica structure of diatoms positions them as a promising candidate for innovative biofuel technologies.
Scripps, another UC San Diego organisation, is also contributing to the field. They plan to begin tests using 100-percent renewable diesel fuel in research vessels starting with Robert Gordon Sproul in 2014.
Despite the current high cost of algae biofuel, which is two to three times more expensive than fossil fuels, indications suggest it could be cost-competitive within five years. This potential, along with its environmental benefits, has attracted significant funding from organisations like the United States Air Force, the U.S. Navy, and commercial aircraft manufacturers like Boeing.
In conclusion, while the specifics of UC San Diego's current research on diatom-based biofuel are not explicitly detailed, the advancements in algae lipid enhancement through nanotech at institutions like UTEP provide a strong indication of the broader field’s advancement. The natural biosilica structure of diatoms positions them as a promising candidate for innovative biofuel technologies, with ongoing research likely focusing on maximizing lipid yield, optimizing cultivation conditions, and devising scalable production methods for commercial applications.
References
- General Algae Biofuel Research
- Diatom-Based Algae Biofuel Research at UC San Diego
- Scripps and Renewable Diesel Fuel
- Cost-Competitiveness of Algae Biofuel
- Diatoms' Biosilica Structure
- The diatom-based algae biofuel research at UC San Diego, involving scientists like Mark Hildebrand and Jeffrey Coates, reflects the intersection of marine biology, science, and technology, as the team works on genetic manipulations to maximize diatom's lipid production for biofuel.
- As essential components in diatom-based algae biofuel research, the unique biological and structural properties of diatoms, particularly their biosilica shells, are being explored to enhance biofuel production potential and delivery systems, thereby demonstrating the role of marine biology in the integration of science and technology for sustainable energy solutions.
