High cell density low maintenance cultivation of algae for sustainable development

该计划侧重于使用开放系统的藻类高密度培养（HCDC），这为具有成本效益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用于碳中和食品和生物燃料生产的主要瓶颈。藻类，包括真核微藻和原核蓝藻，由于其出色的光合作用效率，是生物燃料、食品、饲料和其他藻类产品的有前途的生产者，也是废水处理、二氧化碳生物缓解和微气候调节（例如室内空气清新和太空旅行的生命维持系统）等应用的优秀剂。在运作良好的开放式沟道池塘中，快速生长的藻类全年平均产量可达~25 g m-2 d-1或更高，这是迄今为止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，对淡水的需求低于陆地作物，并且可以利用废水作为营养物质，利用烟气作为二氧化碳。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，用于生物燃料和食品的藻类大量生产一直受到藻类养殖成本高于陆地作物种植的阻碍。藻类的高密度培养（HCDC）可能为充分降低成本提供一条途径，使藻类养殖具有商业竞争力和能源可持续性。这个项目的目标是，在我的团队过去18年在藻类生物技术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，开展藻类HCDC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)设计低维护的开放藻养殖系统；3)工艺优化。整合这些项目的成果将为开发低成本藻类养殖的种植系统和工艺提供机会，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的初级生产者的巨大潜力。该项目将为hqp提供尖端培训机会。不同层次的学员将在鼓励协作、独立和开放、促进多样性、公平和包容性的环境中，获得宝贵的跨学科培训经验，包括科学研究、批判性思维、沟通、团队合作、领导能力和职业道德。

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.