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Oil from Algae: The Next Generation of Biofuel
Published December 2006
Solix Biofuels Inc., a startup company based in Boulder, is working with Colorado State University engineers to commercialize technology that can cheaply mass produce oil derived from algae and turn it into biodiesel - an environmentally friendly solution to high gas prices, greenhouse gas emissions and volatile global energy markets.
Video Clips
Bryan Willson
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Research Director of the Engines & Energy Conversion Laboratory
- A scarce resource
- Carbon dioxide a tool
- Engines lab a world leader
- Multi-disciplinary opportunity
- CSU’s land-grant mission
Larry Edward Penley
Colorado State University president
Doug Henston
Solix Biofuels CEO
- Solix producing algae oil
- Algae more productive
- Cost-effective production
- Commercialization timeframe
Hunt Lambert
Associate Vice President, Office of Economic Development
Solix plans to commercialize the technology over the course of the next two years and expects to be able to compete commercially with the wholesale price of crude petroleum.
"We're running out of fossil fuels and we need to decrease our dependence on foreign oil," said Bryan Willson, director of Colorado State’s Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory, which is helping develop the Solix technology. "We have an inexpensive solution that is also sensitive to the environment."
More information
- Press release, Dec. 7, 2006:
Colorado State Engines Lab teams with Solix Biofuels Inc. to mass produce oil from algae as diesel fuel alternative - Downloadable files:
- Feature story from the Colorado State Magazine: Exploring ways to use richly abundant, one-celled organisms to power our vehicles
Related Links:
- College of Engineering
- Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Feature article from the Competitive Edge Newsletter: Students Gain Hands-On Experience in Innovative Engines Lab
Downloadable Audio:
Bryan Willson
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Research Director of the Engines & Energy Conversion Laboratory
- A scarce resource
- Carbon dioxide a tool
- Engines lab a world leader
- Multi-disciplinary opportunity
- CSU’s land-grant mission
Larry Edward Penley
Colorado State University president
Doug Henston
Solix Biofuels CEO
- Solix producing algae oil
- Algae more productive
- Cost-effective production
- Commercialization timeframe
Hunt Lambert
Associate Vice President, Office of Economic Development
- A good partnership
- CSU faces global challenges
- New business opportunities
- Long-term and short-term benefits
High resolution photos
(click photo to download)
Sunsource/Biodiesel project, Engines and Energy Conversion Lab
Beta cribs containing colonies of algae sit in the sun outside the Colorado State University Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory, August 1, 2006. CSU researchers are working with Solix Biofuels to create a line of algae and system to economically produce biodiesel from algae.
Colorado State University Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory director Bryan Willson inspects beta cribs containing colonies of algae,
August 1, 2006. CSU researchers are working with Solix Biofuels to create a line of algae and system to economically produce biodiesel from algae.
Colorado State University Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory director Bryan Willson inspects beta cribs containing colonies of algae,
August 1, 2006. CSU researchers are working with Solix Biofuels to create a line of algae and system to economically produce biodiesel from algae.
Researchers work with Solix Biofuels to design a photo bioreactor economically to cultivate algae for the production of biodiesel, August 1, 2006.
Solix Biofuels CEO Doug Henston poses in front of a photo bioreactor being developed by CSU researchers to economically cultivate algae for the
production of biodiesel.
Alpha cribs containing colonies of algae grow at the Colorado State University Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory. CSU researchers are working
with Solix Biofuels to create a line of algae and system to economically produce biodiesel from algae.
Colorado State University Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory researchers work with Solix Biofuels to design a photo bioreactor economically to cultivate algae for the production of biodiesel, August 2, 2006.
The first algae colony is introduced to a 1/7th scale photo bioreactor Solix and Colorado State University Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory
researchers are developing to create system to economically produce biodiesel from algae, August 7, 2006.
Colorado State University Engines and Energy Conversion Laboratory associate director Morgan Defoort watches as the first algae colony is
introduced to a 1/7th scale photo bioreactor, August 7, 2006.
