The aim of this project is to conduct various experiments using microalgae. We currently grow Chlorella vulgaris algae in our lab, which are unicellular green algae of the class Trebouxiophyceae. In natural circumstances it is found in stagnant and flowing waters and can live in fresh and brackish water. Microalgae are very interesting plants for science because they were used to decipher the mechanism of photosynthesis and are therefore considered model organism for research.
Our first goal is to design and build a photobioreactor which will allow us to grow and monitor Chlorella cultures in a partially automated fashion. Using the bioreactor, we will then carry out a range of experiments to establish if microalgae can be used, for instance, to remove excess nitrogen and possibly pollutants from wastewater or to maintain acceptable CO2 concentrations in indoor environments such as classrooms.
Current team: Lea Kass, Mona Glesener, Alex Shrikhande, Allan Rodrigues, Nick Aschman
Nele Waterlot re-establishes a Chlorella culture in our lab, using a pure strain acquired from the University of Göttingen Sammlung von Algenkulturen (SAG). Alex Shrikhande and Allan Rodriques build a device for monitoring cell density based on a RGB sensor coupled to an Arduino datalogger.
Anne-Sophie Luis, Nele Waterlot and Filip Marth build an improved bioreactor using aluminium profiles, plexiglas tubes and 3D-printed components of their own design. They also set up a more powerful air delivery system which results in finer bubbles in the tubes.
Raphaël Marth comes up with the idea to create bioplastics from microalgae. He builds a first bioreactor using plexiglas tubes and successfully grows Chlorella in homemade growth medium. Unfortunately, his investigations are cut short by the COVID-19 crisis.
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