High cell density low maintenance cultivation of algae for sustainable development

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This program focuses on high cell density culture (HCDC) of algae using open systems, which offers a pathway to cost-effective algal farming. High cost is the major bottleneck hindering large-scale algal farming for carbon neutral production of food and biofuel. Algae, referring to both eukaryotic microalgae and prokaryotic cyanobacteria in this proposal, are promising producers of biofuel, food, feed, and other algal products and excellent agents for applications such as wastewater treatment, CO2 biomitigation, and microclimate conditioning (e.g., indoor air refreshing and life support system for space travelling) thanks to their superb photosynthesis efficiency. A fast growing alga can attain a year round average productivity of ~25 g m-2 d-1 or higher in well-operated open raceway ponds, which are the most competitive commercial algal farming systems up to now. Such productivity promises the ability to supply the world with sufficient biofuel and food with only a small fraction of available lands. In addition, algal farming does not require arable lands, is less demanding on freshwater than land crops, and can use wastewater for nutrients and flue gas for CO2. While high value algal products have gained impressive footholds in a number of niche markets, mass production of algal masses for biofuels and foods has so far been impeded by the high cost of algal farming in comparison to farming of land crops. High cell density culture (HCDC) of algae may offer a pathway toward sufficient cost reduction to make algal farming competitive commercially and sustainable energetically. The objective of this program is, building on the expertise and infrastructures my group has constructed in our continuous research in Algal Biotechnology in the past 18 years, to carry out fundamental and industry-oriented studies focusing on HCDC of algae using inexpensive and low-maintenance open system. These studies include: 1) the interaction between algae and environment; 2) design of low maintenance open algal farming systems; and 3) process optimization. Integration of the results of these projects will offer opportunities for the development of cultivation systems and processes to for low-cost algal farming, releasing the vast potential of algae as the most efficient primary producers for solutions to the energy, food, and climate crises facing the humanity. This program will offer cutting-edge training opportunities for HQPs. Trainees at different levels will gain valuable interdisciplinary training experiences in scientific research, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, leadership and work ethics in an environment that encourages collaboration, independency and openness and promotes diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.