At the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), in Germany, several institutes are involved in algae research. In 2009, the KIT Platform for Algae Engineer- ing was founded.
It is aimed at integrating, developing and analysing all process steps required for the use of algae biomass for energy production.
Engineering Colleges Tamil Nadu
The KIT’s research covers the complete process chain – extending from reactor development for algae cultivation to algae conditioning, energy production from algae and associated systems analysis.
Best Engineering Colleges
Microalgae are like small power plants. While converting a relatively large proportion of sunlight into chemical energy, they take up carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. As they can be cultivated in technical systems, no arable land is needed, which means that they do not compete for land with food production and that industrial CO2 emissions may be used as a resource, since algae grow faster and produce more biomass in the presence of high CO2 concentrations. The algae bio- mass obtained can be used as a sustain- able source of energy and also serves to produce valuable compounds and active substances. Moreover, certain types of microalgae are capable of producing hydrogen from water and sunlight. The following KIT institutes are involved in the platform: • the Institute for Process Engineering in Life Sciences’ Bioprocess Engineering Section; • the Institute for Pulsed Power and Microwave Technology’s Bioelectrics Working Group; and • the Institute for Technology Assessment and Systems Analysis Microalgae Working Group.
Bioprocess Engineering Section The main emphasis of this section is on the development of integrated bioprocesses where the upstream, bioreaction and downstream stages are closely linked to each other. Phototrophic processes are the main focus area.
Microalgae are used for the production of valuable products and light is applied as an energy source – sunlight in the case of large-scale applications.
The range of products from microalgae is very wide. Polysaccharides, pigments or unsaturated fatty acids are used in the food industry. Currently, fine chemicals and energy sources like biodiesel, bio- hydrogen or biomethane are in the focus of research. Work is aimed at process development to reach maximum product yields with minimal energy input.
Bioelectrics Working Group
The competence of this group lies in the investigation and further development of pulsed power technology with repetition frequencies in the range of 20 Hz and pulsed energies in the kilojoule range for use in environmental engineering and biotechnology. Fundamental studies concentrate on the interaction of electric fields with biological cells. Work in this connection focuses on the treatment of algae cells with ultrashort pulses to stimulate growth and production formation.
This group is also focused on the large-scale application of pulsed power technology for the electroporation of plant cells and, in particular, on the treatment of large volume flows, the extension of com- ponent life and process optimisation.
Fat Chance: Diet Coke Fights Obesity?
For related articles and more information, please visit OCA's Food Safety page and our Millions Against Monsanto page.
Overweight 6-Year-Old Vows To Change Lifestyle After Second Heart Attack
HOUSTON—Describing his second heart failure in the span of two years as “a real wake up call,” obese 6-year-old Nicholas Bleyer announced Tuesday that he was finally trying to turn his life around.
Obesity rates rise in county schools
By the time students in Forsyth County reach high school, more than 40 percent of them are overweight or obese, according to a BMI study released by Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
