The University of Arizona is the lead institution for the Regional Algal Feedstock Testbed (RAFT) partnership, which was recently awarded $8 million over four years by the Department of Energy to research how algae can be grown year-round outdoors in open ponds in different climates.
In addition, other researchers and companies will collaborate with the research team to develop harvesting and conversion processes to produce biofuels and bioproducts with the goal of creating a biofuels industry in the United States.
UA’s contribution to this project focuses on water usage and quality issues, plant biology, reactor design and the production of various algae strains for advanced testing.
For more information:
“DOE awards UA-led team $8M for biofuel,” Algae Industry Magazine.com, 10/3/13
“Energy department awards UA-led team $8M to research algae biofuel,” UA News, 10/2/13