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 CROPSPRODUCTION

(GAL/ACRE-YR)

Soybeans 50

Sunflower 100

Canola 160

Jatropha 200

Palm Oil 600

Microalgae Btwn 2000 and 5000

Why Microalgae?

Need wastewater Wastewater 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