Integrated approach to cost effective production of biodiesel from photosynthetic microbes

开发可再生燃料是替代矿物燃料（如矿物油和煤）以及减少与之相关的二氧化碳排放水平方面的一个重要考虑因素。在这个项目中，我们将开发两种微藻来固定大气中的二氧化碳，并利用阳光将其转化为生产生物柴油的原料。必须克服的主要障碍是开发可以在高温下生长的藻类菌株[因为烟气将被用作二氧化碳的来源]，以及有效地将二氧化碳转化为可以用作生物柴油生产原料的碳化合物。这项工作正在与一家主要的生物燃料制造商合作进行，所获得的知识将在科学和工业上推动我们的发展。

Development of Renewable Fuels is an important consideration in terms of replacing fossil fuels, such as mineral oils and coals, as well as reducing the level of CO2 emissions associated with them. In this project we will develop two micro-algae to fix atmospheric CO2 and convert it using sunlight into raw material for biodiesel production. The main obstacles which have to be overcome are to develop strains of algae which can grow at high temperature [as flue gasses are going to be used as the source of CO2] as well as efficiently converting the CO2 into carbon compounds which can be used as raw materials for Biodiesel production. The work is being undertaken with a major Biofuels manufacturer and the knowledge gained should advance us both scientifically and industrially.