Algae: Saving the World in Baby Steps

1. Algae: Saving the World in Baby Steps Alex Doyle Emilia Miller Dan Downs

2. introduction • Researched Algae Species. • Found the social impact for them • jobs

3. Why? • One ton of algae can produce about 100 gallons of oil. • Algae can produce up to 300 times more oil per acre than conventional crops such as rapeseed, palms, or soybeans.

4. Why? • Oil we use now is non-renewable resource, and eventually will run out • Algae is renewable and grows at a fast rate.

5. Why? • This method of getting oil is much cheaper then other renewable resources such as: • Hydroelectric • Wind • Solar • It is also more dependable because it can be in a controlled environment

6. History • First thought of in 1950s • Originally tried to use outside ponds • Decided to move inside to avoid contamination • had trouble getting enough space to mass produce algae; or had trouble getting artificial lighting • Their solution was called “Vertigrow”.

7. Anatomy • There are many different types of algae and each is made differently in structure but similarly in cellular structure. • Different types include • Filamentous (stringy algae that can cling to rocks) • Planktonic ( Microalgae that floats throughout the water • Surface Blooming ( clumpy algae that floats)

8. Anatomy • All cells are encased in a cell membrane, and all plant cells are encased in a cell wall in addition to the cell membrane. • The cell membrane is made up of lipids.

9. Anatomy • The cell wall is outside of the cell membrane. This protects the cell. • This hard shell gives the plant rigidity.

10. Anatomy • To extract the oil the cell must be pressed and the cell wall smashed. This will allow the oils in the cell membrane and cytoplasm to be released.

11. Identifying Algae • There are millions of algae species in the world. • Each species has unique and subtle differences. • The most optimal algae to use is what is known as “Pond scum”.

12. Identifying algae • Identifying algae is no small feat. • First you must gather the algae from its source. • Make sure there is a lot more water than algae, closely packed algae will decompose • Place the algae in a container and take it to your lab.

13. Identifying Algae • Now you must examine the algae for distinct traits. • Compare your findings with an online guide

14. Industry leading algae • Botryococcusbrauniiis one of the highest oil content algal species around. But there are some problems with it. • Thick Cell wall • Fats are triterpenes instead of triglycerides. • Impossible to use same way of biodiesel to convert.

15. Beneficial Social Impacts • Increase in jobs • Engineers, maintenance workers, gardeners, etc. • Leads to more money in the economy • Economic boost • Potentially expand the job creation globally

16. Social Impact Hardships • Change • Changing cars from gasoline to diesel • Expensive • Some may view this as unnecessary • May take years before everyone agrees

17. Beneficial Economic Impacts • With more jobs, there is more money being circulated back into the economy. • Without biofuels, “crude oil would be trading 15 percent higher and gasoline would be as much as 25 percent more expensive.” (BIO)

18. Economic Impact Hardships • America is depleting the Earth’s oil • Within 60 to 80 years, most of the usable oil will be gone • Within 60 years, oil prices will either double or triple • Prices will skyrocket overnight

19. Conclusion • With the algae we have researched, we believe we have found the best local algae.