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A research team from the University of Tsukuba introduced a new method of using nanoporous graphene and porous graphene foam to obtain energy and organic molecules from algae. By developing a reusable system, water can be evaporated at high speed without the need for centrifugation or extrusion. This research has great potential for the production of cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient biofuels, vitamins, and chemicals.
In the fight against global climate change, algal biomass is a very exciting research area because they are a photosynthetic microorganism that can convert sunlight into energy-rich biological molecules. When algae are grown and harvested on an industrial scale, these molecules can be converted into a variety of important compounds, including biofuels, medicines, omega-3 dietary supplements, and many other valuable biological products. Algae can also absorb carbon dioxide during the growth process, and the shift from traditional fossil fuels to biofuels is expected to significantly reduce net greenhouse gas emissions. However, microalgae culture is mainly composed of low-solids water (0.05-1.0 wt%), and the use of solid-liquid separation technology to obtain organic matter usually requires multiple dehydration steps.
Now, scientists at the University of Tsukuba have introduced a new method that can remove water from algal biomass without destroying the fragile compounds to be harvested. Compared with previous methods that rely on mechanical centrifugation or extrusion, this method uses solar radiation and reusable nanostructured support materials. The preparation of layered nanoporous graphene and porous graphene foam provides tiny channels for water to be pulled up from the depth of the sample.
This newly developed material absorbs more solar energy and evaporates water, while preventing biomass from overheating. The first author Professor Ito said: "We need a material that can absorb light. It has a low specific heat and thermal conductivity, but it is still a hydrophilic porous material with a large surface area. Fortunately, nitrogen-doped nano-graphite Ene has all these characteristics. "
Dr. Andreas Isdpsky, senior author of the study, said that the more energy we save in the dehydration process, the more we can maintain the environmental benefits of using biomass from the beginning.
(Originally from: Daily Science China New Energy Network Synthesis)
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