STTR Phase I: Self-powered underwater light system for photosynthetic cultures

该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力是改变光合作用水生微生物的培养。虽然微藻和蓝藻的体积生产力很高，但由于光线穿透的限制，培养的深度不能太深。这项拟议的技术消除了当前技术固有的光穿透限制。该项目的结果将允许在受控条件下生产医用和食品级生物质，因为光源不会连接到培养反应堆的外部。这种方法将提供利用光养物种进行发酵生产的优势，而不需要提供有机碳。光合作用的生物质生产利用二氧化碳和光进行生长。该项目将在目前不可行和生产率较高的地区产生微藻/蓝藻生物质生产。将培养深度增加2倍、5倍或更多，实际上减少了生物质生产所需的面积。成本的降低将改善以微藻为基础的商品产品的经济前景，包括饲料、食品、燃料、营养食品和药品，并降低对环境的影响。这一小型企业技术转让(STTR)第一阶段项目解决了在实现将微藻和蓝藻作为食物、燃料和其他产品来源的承诺方面发现的最重要的问题之一是光穿透的限制。大多数户外培养物的深度都被限制在60厘米以下。在带有人造光的反应堆中，除了光的穿透性外，高昂的电力成本限制了它们的使用，只限于高价值的产品。该项目将产生一种照明系统，该系统利用文化中的水运动来为与文化一起移动的不受限制的单元中的LED灯发电。与传统的电磁式和压电式发电机相比，该发电机使用的方法更高效、更轻便。开发的能量收集器可用于其他应用，如水质监测和其他传感设备的电力。在这一阶段，将开发一种在防水外壳中的单元，该单元具有微型能量收集器，并在同一基板上耦合无源开关、充电、放电和整流模块。这些单元是否适合支持光合作用微生物的数据证据？将获得生物质生产。结果将为这些单位在未来阶段的进一步发展提供信息。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this project is to transform the culture of photosynthetic aquatic microorganisms. Although microalgae and cyanobacteria have high volumetric productivities, the cultures cannot be too deep, due to restrictions of light penetration. This proposed technology removes the light penetration limit inherent in current technologies. The results of this project will allow the production of medical and food grade biomass in controlled conditions, as the light source will not be connected to the exterior of the culture reactors. This approach will provide the advantages of a fermentation production using phototrophic species, without the need to supply organic carbon. The photosynthetic biomass production makes use of carbon dioxide and light for growth. This project will result in a microalgal/cyanobacterial biomass production in areas where it is not currently feasible and with higher productivity. The increase of the depth of the cultures two, five or more times of what is currently possible, practically reduces the area required for biomass production. A reduction of cost will improve the economic outlook for microalgal-based commodity products, including feed, food, fuels, nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals and lower the environmental impact.This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project addresses one of the most significant problems found in achieving the promise of microalgae and cyanobacteria as source of food, fuels and other products is the limitation of light penetration. Most outdoor cultures are limited to less than 60 cm depth. In reactors with artificial light, besides the light penetration high electrical costs limit their use to high value products. This project will result in a light system that takes advantage of the water movement in cultures to generate electricity for LED lights in untethered units that move with the culture. The proposed generator uses methods more efficient and lighter that traditional electromagnetic and piezoelectric generators. The developed energy harvester can be used in other applications such as power for water quality monitoring and other sensing equipment. In this phase, a unit with a miniaturized energy harvester coupled with passive switching, charging, discharging and rectifying modules in the same substrate, in a waterproof casing will be developed. Data proof of the suitability of these units to support photosynthetic microorganisms? biomass production will be obtained. The results will inform further development of the units in a future phase.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.