Nanotechnology for Algal Biofuels.

Authors

Mrunalini Pattarkine, Harrisburg University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Vikram M. Pattarkine

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

10-6-2012

Abstract

Because of their high productivity, algae are considered the biomass with a realistic potential to replace fossil fuels. This would require cost-effective and sustainable scale-up of growth and downstream processing of algal biofuels. Currently, there are several hurdles for commercialization, which call for innovative solutions. Nanotechnology has the potential to provide solutions to several of the challenges faced in algae growth and harvesting, lipid extraction, and processing of the biofuels. This chapter covers major nanotechnology techniques either already being applied in algal biofuel research or other biofuel-related fields that can be extrapolated to algal biofuel production. Application of silver nanoparticles for improved photoconversion, calcium oxide nanocrystals in transesterification, and mesoporous nanoparticles in biofuel separation are discussed along with some other promising nanomaterial-based components such as LEDs for improving production of algal biofuels.

Recommended Citation

Pattarkine, M., & Pattarkine, V. M. (2012). Nanotechnology for Algal Biofuels.. The Science of Algal Fuels. Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology., 25, 147-163. ">https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5110-1_8

Publication Title

The Science of Algal Fuels. Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology.

Start Page No.

147

End Page No.

163

DOI

10.1007/978-94-007-5110-1_8