Now, scientists from Texas A&M AgriLife Research are using artificial intelligence to break a new world record for producing algae as a reliable biofuel source, so that a greener and more economical fuel source for jet aircraft and other kinds of transportation could be achieved. The research project is conducted by Joshua Yuan, PhD., and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Fossil Energy Office.
The team is employing machine learning to support cell growth and hinder mutual shading. Also, an aggregation-based sedimentation method is designed to achieve low-cost biomass harvesting and economical semi-continuous algal cultivation .By means of an outdoor pond system, the research team has broken the record with the production of 43.3 grams per square meter per day of biomass. The latest target range by the Department of Energy was 25 grams per square meter per day.
Corn, which appears as the general low-cost biomass feedstock for ethanol, costs $260 per ton. However, it needs to be ground and the mush must be cooked before fermentation. Yuan's technique, on the other hand, does not require any costly pre-treatments before fermentation.In spite of all the obstacles in front of the commercialization of algae, this technique appears cost-effective and helps the advancement of algae as a viable alternative energy source.
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