(98b) Increasing the Viability of Algae-Based Bio-Fuels through Co-Product Development

With the current state of technology, the primary obstacle to implementing biofuels from algae instead of conventional fuels from petroleum is the cost.  While many have succeeded in producing biofuels from algae using a variety of culturation and extraction techniques, these technological developments have not yet delivered a process through which biofuels can ecomomically compete with petroleum fuels, although every year they gradually get closer.  Another issue with oil-from-algae technology is the large volumes of low-value solid byproducts which are produced.  This work seeks to solve these problems by utilizing the proteinaceous byproduct in a wide range of adhesive and composite material co-products including glues, wood composites, paper, and structural composites.