Ultra-efficient controlled environment photosynthetic bioreactor systems

Overview

This solution offers ultra-efficient controlled environment photosynthetic systems designed for plant propagation and algae cultivation. By treating closed ecosystems as scaled photobioreactors, the technology maximizes biological productivity while minimizing inputs of water, carbon dioxide, and nutrients. The systems are designed to study and optimize mass and energy balances of plants under extreme environmental conditions, including greenhouse gas stoichiometry and redox balance.

Key applications include precision hydroponic food production coupled with human respiratory output, ultra-high density algae cultivation for food and CO2 scrubbing, and watershed protection through improved duckweed cultivation. The technology addresses the growing demand for sustainable, resource-efficient cultivation methods in food production, carbon management, and ecosystem research.

Technical specifications

Key features and capabilities:

• Temporary immersion photobioreactors (Hy-TIB) that replace sugar with increased light and elevated CO2, enabling axenic hydroponic cultivation with enhanced root development at approximately 2% CO2
• Water use is minimized by preventing transpiration through radiative heat loss via condensation
• Patented trickle-film photobioreactor achieving algae densities and production rates greater than 10x higher than previous systems, operating on ambient CO2
• Isoprene-accumulating algae strains demonstrating approximately 40% increased photon use efficiency
• Precise stoichiometric proton balance assessments for different nitrogen sources, facilitating nitrogen cycle greenhouse gas assessment
• Capability to evaluate elevated and fluctuating CO2, temperature, and light conditions

Technology readiness level

The technology has progressed beyond initial validation with demonstrated proof-of-concept results. The temporary immersion photobioreactor has shown enhanced root development under elevated CO2 conditions, and the trickle-film photobioreactor has demonstrated greater than 10x improvements in algae density and production rates. A patent application has been filed for the trickle-film system. Future validation efforts include adapting the Hy-TIB system for duckweed growth with improved amino acid profiles, precision hydroponic food production, CO2 scrubbing applications, and exploring anaerobic photosynthesis for improved photon use efficiency in the IR spectrum.