High cell density low maintenance cultivation of algae for sustainable development

该项目的重点是使用开放式系统进行藻类的高细胞密度培养(HCDC)，这为实现经济高效的藻类养殖提供了一条途径。高成本是阻碍大规模藻类养殖生产碳中性食品和生物燃料的主要瓶颈。藻类，在本提案中指的是真核微藻和原核蓝藻，由于其极高的光合作用效率，是很有前途的生物燃料、食品、饲料和其他藻类产品的生产者，以及用于废水处理、二氧化碳生物净化和小气候调节(例如，室内空气清新和太空旅行的生命维持系统)等应用的优秀试剂。在运营良好的露天跑道池塘中，一种快速生长的藻类的年平均生产力可达到~25gm-2d-1或更高，这是目前最具竞争力的商业藻类养殖系统。这样的生产力保证了仅用一小部分可用土地就能为世界提供足够的生物燃料和粮食的能力。此外，藻类养殖不需要耕地，对淡水的要求低于陆地作物，可以利用废水获取养分，利用烟道气获取二氧化碳。虽然高价值的藻类产品在一些利基市场获得了令人印象深刻的立足点，但迄今为止，由于藻类养殖的成本高于陆地作物的种植成本，大规模生产用于生物燃料和食品的藻类产品受到了阻碍。藻类的高细胞密度培养(HCDC)可以提供一条充分降低成本的途径，使藻类养殖在商业上具有竞争力，并在能量上可持续。该项目的目标是，在我的团队过去18年在藻类生物技术方面的持续研究中建立的专业知识和基础设施的基础上，利用廉价和低维护的开放系统，开展以藻类的HCDC为重点的基础和面向行业的研究。这些研究包括：1)藻类与环境的相互作用；2)低维护开放式藻类养殖系统的设计；3)工艺优化。整合这些项目的成果将为开发养殖系统和工艺提供机会，以实现低成本的藻类养殖，释放藻类作为解决人类面临的能源、粮食和气候危机的最有效初级生产者的巨大潜力。该计划将为HQP提供尖端的培训机会。不同级别的学员将在鼓励合作、独立和开放并促进多样性、公平和包容性的环境中，在科学研究、批判性思维、沟通、团队合作、领导力和职业道德方面获得宝贵的跨学科培训经验。

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.