Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/110509
Growing Oil T he clusters of thick, green pond scum that overrun In addition to algae���s viability as an energy source, our pools and ponds have long been seen as a it also actively absorbs carbon dioxide (CO2), a harmful nuisance we can do without, but researchers are greenhouse gas. The organism���s ability to simultaneously now starting to grow more of it to harvest the fuel that remove a damaging pollutant from the environment and we use to power planes, trains and automobiles. plentifully produce a resource in high demand gives it Algae, abundant organisms that produce types of even greater appeal as the choice fuel source of the future. oil, are quickly gaining traction as one of the most viable ���Algae production has a competitive advantage energy sources of the future. This alternative source of in that it is fast and can be located on unutilized land fuel, which is derived from algal lipids, or fats, has the near power plants, fertilizer plants and cement plants, potential to drastically reduce U.S. dependence on foreign all of which generate a lot of CO2,��� said Dr. George oil, as it can be refined and turned into the same diesel Philippidis, associate professor at the University of South and aviation fuel that is used today without requiring any Florida���s (USF) Department of Chemical and Biomedical changes to vehicle fuel tanks or gas stations. Engineering, whose expertise in biomass and algae 24 florida.HIGH.TECH 2013 fht_univ_research_2013.indd 24 2/11/13 2:07 PM