MRI launches algae research center
October 14, 2008
BY Anna Austin
Web exclusive posted Oct. 17, 2008 at 9:40 a.m. CST
Kansas-based Midwest Research Institute, an independent, non-profit, contract research organization has formed a new integrated algal research center, which will provide research and development, process engineering, consulting and lifecycle cost analysis services of algae and its uses to address energy and environmental challenges, primarily for biofuel purposes.
The Center for Integrated Algal Research, located in Kansas City, Mo., will focus on research and technology developments associated with identifying and optimizing algal species for carbon dioxide uptake and biofuel production.
Specific areas described by the MRI include the modification of algal species using molecular tools, developing and validating harvesting approaches, as well as devising and integrating processing technologies.
"An area that shows great promise regarding energy and the environment is the use of algae as both a mechanism for sequestering carbon dioxide emissions and as a viable source of biofuel," said Michael Helmstetter, MRI senior vice president and director of research operations.
In addition to the new facility, the MRI announced that Stanley Bull has been appointed director of energy programs, a newly created position at MRI. Previously Bull was associate director for science and technology at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and vice president of MRI.
Bull has extensive experience in leading and managing research and development programs in renewable energy and energy efficiency. For more than 20 years he provided leadership for NREL's biofuels program, including the aquatic species program.
The MRI recently confirmed biodiesel producer Green Star Products Inc.'s Montana Micronutrient Booster growth formula is capable of increasing the total biomass quantity in a harvest algae growth cycle by more than 100 percent. The test results, which were achieved by MRI Principal Scientist John Lednicky, demonstrate the same findings as a previous test conducted by Biotech Research Inc., a consortium partner of GSPI's, at its lab facility at UABC University in Ensenada, Mexico.
GSPI reported that Lednicky's test results found that two algae strains treated with the Montana Micronutrient Booster natural growth formula-one saltwater and one freshwater- grew 200 percent more in algae biomass compared to control strains, and also that the increase in mass included cells which lived longer and were larger in size.
GSPI President Joseph LaStella said the confirmations of the Montana Micronutrient Booster's effectiveness, like the results achieved by the MRI, will greatly accelerate its application research worldwide, as well as GSPI's research. The Montana Micronutrient Booster is currently not commercially available, but the company hopes to begin marketing the formula in 2009.
In 2007, the company built and operated one of the largest algae demonstration plants in the world-a 40,000 liter (10,569 gallon) facility in Hamilton, Mont., which ran for nine months. LaStella said it successfully provided all the information and data required for commercial production.
In July, Biodiesel Magazine reported that EcoAlgae USA contracted with GSPI's associated consortium of companies to construct an algae-to-biodiesel and next generation waste-to-energy complex in Missouri.
Click here to read Missouri algae facility, biorefinery complex receives $141 million.
To learn more about GSPI, visit www.greenstarusa.com.
Kansas-based Midwest Research Institute, an independent, non-profit, contract research organization has formed a new integrated algal research center, which will provide research and development, process engineering, consulting and lifecycle cost analysis services of algae and its uses to address energy and environmental challenges, primarily for biofuel purposes.
The Center for Integrated Algal Research, located in Kansas City, Mo., will focus on research and technology developments associated with identifying and optimizing algal species for carbon dioxide uptake and biofuel production.
Specific areas described by the MRI include the modification of algal species using molecular tools, developing and validating harvesting approaches, as well as devising and integrating processing technologies.
"An area that shows great promise regarding energy and the environment is the use of algae as both a mechanism for sequestering carbon dioxide emissions and as a viable source of biofuel," said Michael Helmstetter, MRI senior vice president and director of research operations.
In addition to the new facility, the MRI announced that Stanley Bull has been appointed director of energy programs, a newly created position at MRI. Previously Bull was associate director for science and technology at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and vice president of MRI.
Bull has extensive experience in leading and managing research and development programs in renewable energy and energy efficiency. For more than 20 years he provided leadership for NREL's biofuels program, including the aquatic species program.
The MRI recently confirmed biodiesel producer Green Star Products Inc.'s Montana Micronutrient Booster growth formula is capable of increasing the total biomass quantity in a harvest algae growth cycle by more than 100 percent. The test results, which were achieved by MRI Principal Scientist John Lednicky, demonstrate the same findings as a previous test conducted by Biotech Research Inc., a consortium partner of GSPI's, at its lab facility at UABC University in Ensenada, Mexico.
GSPI reported that Lednicky's test results found that two algae strains treated with the Montana Micronutrient Booster natural growth formula-one saltwater and one freshwater- grew 200 percent more in algae biomass compared to control strains, and also that the increase in mass included cells which lived longer and were larger in size.
GSPI President Joseph LaStella said the confirmations of the Montana Micronutrient Booster's effectiveness, like the results achieved by the MRI, will greatly accelerate its application research worldwide, as well as GSPI's research. The Montana Micronutrient Booster is currently not commercially available, but the company hopes to begin marketing the formula in 2009.
In 2007, the company built and operated one of the largest algae demonstration plants in the world-a 40,000 liter (10,569 gallon) facility in Hamilton, Mont., which ran for nine months. LaStella said it successfully provided all the information and data required for commercial production.
In July, Biodiesel Magazine reported that EcoAlgae USA contracted with GSPI's associated consortium of companies to construct an algae-to-biodiesel and next generation waste-to-energy complex in Missouri.
Click here to read Missouri algae facility, biorefinery complex receives $141 million.
To learn more about GSPI, visit www.greenstarusa.com.
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