OriginOil signs MOU with Japanese researchers

Posted December 9, 2009

OriginOil Inc.will be collaborating with Japan's Research Institute of Tsukuba Bio-Tech to develop algae-to-jet fuel technologies. RITB recently received funding to develop algae-to-jet fuel applications from the Japan Science and Technology Agency.

Headed by Tsukuba University professor emeritus and algae researcher Takaaki Maekawa, RITB recently signed a memorandum of understanding with OriginOil to develop and distribute systems in Japan for aircraft fuel production, algae to oil production and other industry applications. RITB was recently approved for two years of research and development funding based on its proposal to the Japan Science and Technology agency. Maekawa's presentation, available on the RITB Web site, pointed to the volume of carbon emissions from Japans major industrial emitters as well the stability of jet oil prices and future demand potential.

"Our funders have set a priority on sustainable aircraft fuels," Maekawa said. "Together with OriginOil we will target these fuels. We look to OriginOil for the needed technology and resources to help carry out this vast assignment."

"We salute Japan Science & Technology Agency for its initiative in algae-based jet fuel," said Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil CEO. "We are privileged to have been asked by RITB to support Professor Maekawa's high-priority efforts over the next two years. We look forward to helping make his program a major success."

In the partners' first joint action, OriginOil spoke at a recent invitation-only workshop at Tsukuba University, which was attended by RITB collaborators such as Japan Airlines (JAL) Aero-Consulting, IBDAIWA, Mitsubishi Chemicals, Dow Chemical, Dentsu Tech, Tsukuba Agricultural Cooperation, NPO Genki Agricultural Production Organization, Nagata Trade Company, Tosho Merchandise Corporation as well as representatives of Aomori Prefecture and Tsukuba City. Japan Airlines was among the major airlines sponsoring biofuels test flights this year. On Jan. 30, Japan Airlines' showed an improvement in fuel-efficiency from the camelina, algae, and jatropha biofuel blended with jet fuel as compared to the 100 percent traditional Jet A fuel (kerosene).

OriginOil has made several announcements this past year as it makes progress in reducing the cost of harvesting algae and extracting the oil in its proprietary process utilizing its ultrasound-based Quantum Fracturing along with pH modification and electromagnetism. The company is also working on a photobioreactor for algae cultivation.