Directory:Using green algae to produce hydrogen from sunlight and water via photosynthesis
From PESWiki
<< A Top 100 Energy Technology >>
Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley have engineered a strain of green microalgae that could, with further refinements, produce vast amounts of hydrogen through photosynthesis. The breakthrough also could have application in a wide range of products, from biodiesel to cosmetics. Present efficiency is at around 30 cents / kW-h. In 2000, when the technology was first announced, they were at 300 cents / kW-h.
Theoretical optimum is at 3 cents / kW-h. This is based on observation of normal photosynthesis processes. It is also based on a marketing model of on-site hydrogen production and conversion to electricity, not requiring hydrogen storage and transport.
Methods of improving efficiency for commercial application include:
- genetic engineering of algae
- physiological factors to enhance algae's production
.
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About
Academic Teams in Pursuit of Technology
U.C. Berkeley
Lead by Dr. Tasios Melis, USA. Team of 12 researchers involved.
- Hydrogen fuel production by a process of microalgal photosynthesis (http://pmb.berkeley.edu/newPMB/faculty/melis/melis.shtml) - University topic site.
- "Hydrogen fuel and electricity may become the primary 21st century energy carriers in California and the nation. Modification of photosynthesis in green algae may permit the generation of hydrogen gas as a clean, renewable and economically viable fuel. However, specific biological problems associated with sustained photosynthetic production of hydrogen gas require solutions."
Contact
Tasios Melis, UC Berkeley
http://www.berkeley.edu/news/extras/energy/experts.html#melis
Professor of plant and microbial biology
Office phone: (510) 642-8166
E-mail: melis@nature.berkeley.edu (mailto:melis@nature.berkeley.edu?subject=Algae-to-H_mentioned_at_PESWiki.com)
NREL, Colorado
Dr. Maria L. Ghirardi, Dr. Michael Seibert; Golden, Colorado, USA.
Brooklyn College
Dr. Juergen Polle; New York
In the News
- Mutant Algae Is Hydrogen Factory (http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,70273-0.html?tw=wn_index_4) - Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley have engineered a strain of pond scum that could, with further refinements, produce vast amounts of hydrogen through photosynthesis. The breakthrough also could have application in a wide range of products, from biodiesel to cosmetics. (Wired; Feb. 23, 2006)
- Pond scum discoery ranked among year's top science stories (http://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/2001/01/24/scum.html) - In its current issue, the science magazine names work by Berkeley Professor Tasios Melis and colleagues - on the hydrogen-generating potential of the green ... (UC Berkeley Press Release; 2001/01/24)
- Harnessing the Horsepower of Pond Scum" (http://www.berkeley.edu/news/berkeleyan/2000/02/16/scum.html) - I guess it's the equivalent of striking oil," said plant and microbial biology Professor Tasios Melis. "It was enormously exciting. It was unbelievable." ... (UC Berkeley Press Release; 02.16.00)
- releases/2000/01/01-27-2000b.html Patent filed on energy discovery: UC Berkeley and ... (http://www.berkeley.edu/news/media/) - "I guess it's the equivalent of striking oil," said UC Berkeley plant and microbial biology professor Tasios Melis. "It was enormously exciting, ... (UC Berkeley Press Release; 01.27.00)
See also
- Directory:Solar Hydrogen
- Directory:Hydrogen from Water
- Directory:Solar
- Directory:Biodiesel from Algae Oil
- Videos:Algae Oil and Hydrogen
- Directory:Algae
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