Colleagues from ALG-AD took part in a micro algae workshop recently for another Swansea University-based Interreg project, EnhanceMicroalgae.
EnhanceMicroalgae is funded under the Atlantic area stream rather than North West Europe, as is the case for ALG-AD. However, many scientists here at Swansea work across several projects, allowing their expertise to be shared across a wider community.
The workshop looked at different aspects of micro algae growth, harvesting and production methods and attracted an audience from across the world.
Speaking after the event, the project’s Principle Investigator Professor Kevin Flynn said: “The day went extremely well. It was very busy, but on the good side of hectic, with many question-answer exchanges across the whole topic of growing microalgae from a few millilitres to tons, as well as harvesting, cracking cells and optimising production by modelling.
"Feedback has been very positive so far, both during the event, and with emails coming back. For example, I have had a number of suggestions for further developing the DST model.
“What is clear is that we need to do it again! There is perhaps also scope for more hand-on training in specific aspects of the commercialisation of microalgae.”
Dr Claudio Fuentes Grunewald, who leads on several aspects concerning the upscaling of micro algae cultivation on both the ALG-AD and EnhanceMicroalgae projects, added that delegates found the event extremely informative and useful.
“Many of those who attended the event have worked with micro algae before, but we were able to show them techniques and approaches which were new to them. On the whole they went away better informed of the possibilities in cultivating micro algae and more knowledgeable of the system and techniques they can adopt.
“It was particularly pleasing to see so many people from different projects and private enterprise take the time to come to the event, and we have undoubtedly formed new contacts which I hope will enable further collaborations in the future.”
You can find out more about Enhance Microalgae by visiting their website.
