Carbon fibers are essential in aviation, wind energy, and lightweight construction. However, since they are based on petroleum, their production has been very harmful to the environment. A research consortium led by the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has now succeeded in developing a production process for carbon fibers from renewable raw materials. Project coordinator […]
Engineered photosynthetic algae could be used within sunlight-powered sustainable chemical biofactories using a new circular production process developed at KAUST. The scalable process uses bespoke functionalized microparticles—rather than flammable organic solvents—for the critical step of harvesting the valuable chemicals that the algae produce. The microparticles are robust, reusable, and can be tailored to capture a […]
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) has announced up to $10 million in funding to support Algal Systems Research and development (R&D) focused on algae system cultivation and preprocessing. The notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), Maximizing Algal System Yield (MASY), will support BETO’s R&D priorities in the area of Renewable Carbon Resources for advancing algal […]
Rows of photobioreactors line the production hall, giving the facility an atmosphere that feels straight out of science fiction. A thick bubbly liquid flows continuously through a network of transparent tubing bathed in purple light. Welcome to VAXA Technology’s cutting-edge indoor farming facility. That liquid contains Icelandic Ultra Spirulina — a microalgae rich in protein, iron, […]
Arizona farmer Ed Curry is passionate about the green, red, and yellow chile peppers he grows on his 3,000-acre farm in Pearce, about 90 minutes southeast of Tucson. And, like many Arizona farmers, he’s also passionate about saving water. A new technology Arizona State University is analyzing and promoting has combined his love for space […]
Microalgae are emerging as a promising source of natural food coloring alternatives. A recent government push to eliminate artificial food colorings is opening a major opportunity for the algae industry to play a role in this changeover. Scientists are increasingly working with food industry manufacturers to develop ways to leverage microalgae metabolism to produce these […]
For the first time, a study led by the Institut de Ciències del Mar of the Spanish National Research Council (ICM-CSIC) has shown how microbial diversity associated with microalgae affects their health and productivity in large-scale production reactors. This insight opens the door to more efficient and sustainable industrial systems, particularly in areas such as wastewater treatment […]
Over the past two decades, spirulina has gained significant attention as a powerful superfood, largely due to growing consumer interest in natural, nutrient-dense supplements. As people have become more health-conscious and environmentally aware, spirulina’s reputation has surged thanks to its rich protein content, essential amino acids, antioxidants, and potential health benefits, including immune support and […]
Algae don’t get the credit or attention they deserve. They are responsible for much of the oxygen we breathe, play pivotal roles in the habitats in which they live and are culturally important in coastal communities worldwide, yet there are still many things that we don’t understand about these seemingly simple organisms. Renowned phycologist Stacy […]
The Latvian biotechnology company Sibiotech (AS Sistēmu inovācijas) has acquired production equipment with €872,000 in financing from SEB Bank to begin extracting omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, as well as manufacturing products, from microalgae. Their goal is to offer a healthier and more sustainable alternative to traditional fish-derived omega-3 products — concurrently supporting the development and international competitiveness of […]
