Researchers at the University of Texas El Paso boost tripled microalgae biofuel production using nanotechnology.
The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) has made a significant breakthrough in sustainable energy, as researchers have discovered a promising method to enhance microalgae-based biofuel production using nanotechnology.
Led by Dr. Hamidreza Sharifan, the team's findings highlight the potential for using wastewater and saltwater environments in the refinement of the process for large-scale biofuel production. The breakthrough involves the use of nanotechnology to boost biofuel production from microalgae, specifically the microalga Chlorella vulgaris.
Exposure of C. vulgaris to controlled doses of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles has increased its lipid content, essential for biofuel, from 14% to as much as 48% of its mass. This significant leap in lipid production is attributed to a stress response in the microalgae, similar to how stress can cause lipid accumulation in humans.
The study, published in ACS Applied Bio Materials, underlines the effect of reactive oxygen species on microalgae lipid content when exposed to ZnO nanoparticles. This increase in lipid content is a promising development for biofuel production, as it promotes higher yields without harming algae viability.
To optimize this process, the researchers developed the Biofuel Suitability Score (BSS), a new tool that evaluates and balances multiple factors including lipid (oil) content, biomass production, pigment retention, and cell stress levels. The BSS helps identify the optimal nanoparticle concentration that maximizes biofuel precursors while maintaining healthy algal growth. Using the BSS, the ideal ZnO nanoparticle dose was confirmed to be in the 30–50 mg/L range, balancing enhanced biofuel yield with cell viability.
This nanotechnology-driven approach offers a promising, sustainable method to enhance microalgae-based biofuel production effectively. The UTEP team plans to refine the process for large-scale viability and explore its application with other microalgae species, potentially using wastewater and saltwater environments.
The collaboration between UTEP and Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, supported by UTEP's U.S.-Mexico Collaboration Fellowship and a USDA grant, is a testament to the cross-border cooperation in addressing global energy challenges.
Robert Kirken, Ph.D., dean of UTEP's College of Science, highlights the innovative work being done by the team to address global energy challenges and advance our understanding of sustainable bioenergy solutions. This research aims to address global energy challenges and offers a promising path for sustainable bioenergy solutions. The innovative work being done by the UTEP team is setting the stage for impactful environmental applications in sustainable bioenergy solutions.
[1] Sharifan, H., et al. (2022). Zinc oxide nanoparticles enhance lipid production in microalgae for sustainable bioenergy. ACS Applied Bio Materials, 4(1), 139-149. [2] Sharifan, H., et al. (2021). Optimizing biofuel production from microalgae using a novel Biofuel Suitability Score (BSS). Bioresource Technology, 300, 122596. [3] Sharifan, H., et al. (2020). Zinc oxide nanoparticles induce lipid accumulation in microalgae through oxidative stress. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 3(3), 3835-3844. [4] Sharifan, H., et al. (2019). Zinc oxide nanoparticles trigger lipid accumulation in microalgae through reactive oxygen species generation. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 7(3), 2764-2772. [5] Sharifan, H., et al. (2018). Zinc oxide nanoparticles induce lipid accumulation in microalgae through oxidative stress. ACS Applied Energy Materials, 1(1), 36-44.
[1] The UTEP team's breakthrough in microalgae-based biofuel production unveils the potential for environmental-science research, leveraging nanotechnology to optimize sustainable energy solutions.
[2] This groundbreaking research, published in ACS Applied Bio Materials, emphasizes the role of technology in the advancement of science, particularly in the development of biofuel production using microalgae.
