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About Coastal BioMarineCoastal BioMarine's experience in algae research began in 1995 with a study of oysters fed algae cultured via mixotrophic methods. Over the years, we learned that oysters are not nourished by mixotrophic algae, but developed valuable skills in algae culture and with photobioreactors fabricated from film. Encouraged by colleagues doing algae biofuels in 2008, research attention was turned from mixotrophic algae cultures to photoautotrophic algae cultures in flat panel designs. Our research began with an economic analysis of algae biodiesel production. The analysis shows two key inventions are necessary for commercial viability. (1) A genetic modification of algae that produces a strain with a yield of recoverable lipid of 50 to 60 percent. (2) A photobioreactor that can be installed for a cost of $4 to $5 per square foot. Coastal BioMarine, naturally, focused on the photobioreactor. Design options were quickly narrowed to a photobioreactor fabricated from film and a design that can be mass produced. | ||||
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