Research Paper: NASA’s OMEGA
ProjectBy: Roberta Marcos
What are Microalgae?
tiny single-celled organisms
fastest-growing plant on Earth
produce a lot of oil
Algae vs. human hair
BIODIESEL CROPS PRODUCTION (GAL/ACRE-YR)
Soybeans 50Sunflower 100
Canola 160Jatropha 200Palm Oil 600
Microalgae Btwn 2000 and 5000
Why Microalgae?
Need wastewaterWastewater systems are deep inside city
Why Offshore?
San Francisco, CA
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/OMEGA/index.html
How exactly would it work?
San Francisco Add wastewater &
algae Algae grow on the
nutrients & sunlight The column circulates
water & puts CO2 Remove excess algae
from column and harvest it.
Is this all hypothetical?
Plants for energy?!No patent?!
Interesting?
“"Algae Systems" has licensed the technology from NASA, but judging by their website they are not doing anything and are not capable of doing anything.
http://algaesystems.com/
Predictions?
Dr. Jonathan Trent- Head Scientist
Trent, J. (2012, September). Jonathan Trent: Energy from floating algae pods
[Video File]. Retrieved From:
http://www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_trent_energy_from_floating_algae_pods.html
Culler , J. NASA, Ames Research Center. (2012).Omega. Retrieved from NASA Ames Research Center website:
http://www.nasa.gov/centers/ames/research/OMEGA/index.html
References