Summary
- Artificial Intelligence has successfully proven to mass produce algae biofuel at a larger scale while lowering down the cost to 85% less.
- Korean scholars re-discovered the application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology to amplify the lipid-producing gene on the algae cells.
In the intricate tapestry of Earth’s evolutionary history, algae stands as one of the most ancient life forms, having gracefully navigated millions of years of existence. This venerable organism, a silent witness to the planet’s journey through time, is now emerging as a focal point in the quest for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Despite its technological inception during the Roaring 20’s , the widespread integration of algae-based solutions has remained surprisingly elusive, creating a paradox where a solution rooted in the ancient past holds the key to our future energy needs.
Amidst a landscape of technological breakthroughs, two compelling factors have propelled algae fuel to the forefront, positioning it as the potential game-changer of 2024 in the realm of renewable energy. These pivotal reasons, rooted in recent advancements, underscore the transformative potential that algae possesses, marking a significant shift in our approach towards sustainable fuel alternatives.
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence: Rapid sustainable growth and maximum yield
Algae emerges as an environmentally conscious alternative as it sidesteps the contentious issue of competing with food production for precious land and freshwater resources. Unlike conventional oil-producing crops such as oil palms and corn, notorious for vast plantations contributing to deforestation, algae cultivation provides a versatile solution. The deployment of algae photobioreactors allows for efficient plantation in diverse locations, including rooftops and unused urban land, mitigating the need for large-scale deforestration.
This adaptive approach not only conserves space but also transforms algae into a potent carbon filtration mechanism within urban landscapes, effectively countering city fumes and enhancing air quality, eventually hoping to eliminate the signs of climate change.
This would eventually save up so much space while also acting as an effective carbon filtration mechanism for the city fume.
Major breakthrough that brings algae fuel prices down to below $5 per gallon from today’s $33 per gallon.
A groundbreaking advancement, spearheaded by researchers at Texas A&M University, elevates the potential of algae fuel. By harnessing the power of scalable machine learning technologies, they have achieved a remarkable production rate of over 43 grams per square meter per day in an outdoor setup. This achievement surpasses the target of 25 grams per square meter, showcasing the promising trajectory of algae fuel technology!
NEXT GEN SEQUENCING: CRISPR doubled concentration of lipids in algae by changing just one gene
CRISPR is a new genetic engineering technology founded in 2017, but its application in the realms of algae was re-discovered in 2023.
According to the frontiers, A group of Korean scholars has discovered that genetic engineering in algae cells has a huge potential to change the genetic constitution of a native strain, which eventually generates strains with higher growth rates, better photosynthetic efficiencies, and higher adaptability towards the adaptability at the located climate region.
This is mainly by using CRISPR/Cas9 systems to integrate pNsCas9 vector in the algae cells. The pNsCas9 is a gene factor that assigns cell growth to generate thicker cytoplasm. Unlike other photosynthetic organisms, algae don’t grow stems, leaves or roots, thus most of the energy accumulated can be easily transferred and stored in lipid bodies, which are specialized organelles within the cytoplasm. A thicker cytoplasm generally means more lipid content being produced.
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