199 results about "Photosynthetic organism" patented technology

Certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention relate to photobioreactor apparatus (100) designed to contain a liquid medium (108) comprising at least one species of photosynthetic organism therein, and to methods of using the photobioreactor apparatus (100) as part of a gas-treatment process and system able to at least partially remove certain undesirable pollutants from a gas stream (608). In certain embodiments, the disclosed photobioreactor apparatus (100 can be utilized as part of an integrated combustion method and system, wherein photosynthetic organisms utilized within the photobioreactor (100) at least partially remove certain pollutant compounds contained within combustion gases, e.g. CO2 and / or NOX, and are subsequently harvested from the photobioreactor (100), processed, and utilized as a fuel source for a combustion device (e.g. an electric power plant generator and / or incinerator).

Certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention relate to photobioreactor apparatus designed to contain a liquid medium comprising at least one species of photosynthetic organisms therein, and to methods of using the photobioreactor apparatus as part of a production process for forming an organic molecule-containing product, such as a polymeric material and / or fuel-grade oil (e.g. biodiesel), from biomass produced in the photobioreactor apparatus. In certain embodiments, the disclosed organic molecule / polymer production systems and methods, photobioreactor apparatus, methods of using such apparatus, and / or gas treatment systems and methods provided herein can be utilized as part of an integrated combustion and polymer and / or fuel-grade oil (e.g. biodiesel) production method and system, wherein photosynthetic organisms utilized within the photobioreactor are used to at least partially remove certain pollutant compounds contained within combustion gases, e.g. CO2 and / or NOx, and are subsequently harvested from the photobioreactor, processed, and utilized as a source for generating polymers and / or organic molecule-containing products (e.g. fuel-grade oil (e.g. biodiesel)) and / or as a fuel source for a combustion device (e.g. an electric power plant generator and / or incinerator).

Certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention relate to photobioreactor apparatus designed to contain a liquid medium comprising at least one species of photosynthetic organism therein, and to methods of using the photobioreactor apparatus as part of a hydrogen production process and system configured to generate hydrogen with and / or from biomass produced in the photobioreactor apparatus. In certain embodiments, the disclosed hydrogen production systems and methods, photobioreactor apparatus, methods of using such apparatus, and / or gas treatment systems and methods provided herein can be utilized as part of an integrated combustion and hydrogen production method and system, wherein photosynthetic organisms utilized within the photobioreactor are used to at least partially remove certain pollutant compounds contained within combustion gases, e.g. CO2 and / or NOx, and are subsequently harvested from the photobioreactor, processed, and utilized as a fuel source for generating hydrogen and / or as a fuel source for a combustion device (e.g. an electric power plant generator and / or incinerator).

Illumination systems, devices, and methods for cultivating biomasses. A bioreactor system is operable for growing photosynthetic organisms. The bioreactor system includes a bioreactor and an illumination system. The illumination system includes one more optical waveguides configured to light at least some of a plurality of photosynthetic organisms retained in the bioreactor. In some embodiments, the one or more optical waveguides include a plurality of structures configured to direct light energy from a solar energy collector, and a plurality of artificial light sources, along the interior of the waveguide. In some embodiments, the one more optical waveguides include a plurality of light-diffusing structures configured to guide at least a portion of the light from the solar energy collector and a plurality of artificial light sources directed along the interior of the waveguide, to the exterior of the waveguide.

Certain embodiments of the invention involve methods and systems for preselecting, adapting, and preconditioning one or more species of photosynthetic organisms, such as algae, to specific environmental and / or operating conditions to which the photosynthetic organisms will subsequently be exposed during utilization in a photobioreactor apparatus of a gas treatment system. Also disclosed are new algal strains and cultures that can be produced by practicing the preselection, adaption, and preconditioning methods.

Certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention relate to a photobioreactor including covered photobioreactor units through which a liquid medium stream and a gas stream flow. The liquid medium comprises at least one species of phototrophic organism therein. Certain methods of using the photobioreactor system as part of fuel generation system and / or a gas-treatment process or system at least partially remove certain undesirable pollutants from a gas stream. In certain embodiments, a portion of the liquid medium is diverted from a photobioreactor unit and reintroduced upstream of the diversion position. In certain embodiments, the disclosed photobioreactor system, methods of using such systems, and / or gas treatment apparatus and methods provided herein can be used as part of an integrated combustion method and system, wherein photosynthetic organisms used within the photobioreactor are harvested from the photobioreactor, processed, and used as a fuel source for a combustion system such as an electric power plant.

Systems, devices, and methods for releasing one or more cell components from a photosynthetic organism. A bioreactor system is operable for growing photosynthetic organisms. Some of the methods include contacting the photosynthetic organism with an energy-activatable sensitizer, and activating the energy-activatable sensitizer, thereby releasing a cellular component from at least one of, for example, a membrane structure, tubule, vesicle, cisterna, organelle, cell compartment, plastid, or mitochondrion, associated with the photosynthetic organisms.

The invention provides a device for growing genetically enhanced aquatic photoautotrophic organisms in a stable culture, causing said organisms to produce ethanol, and then separating, collecting, and removing the ethanol in situ.

Methods for identifying one or more amino acid substitutions in a Rubisco large subunit polypeptide (variant) that confer increased Rubisco activity in a unicellular photosynthetic organism and transferring those substitutions to a Rubisco large subunit polypeptide of a higher plant cell are described herein. Methods and compositions for modulating plant productivity using the modified Rubisco large subunit polypeptide variants are provided. The Rubisco large subunit sequences are used in a variety of methods including increasing plant productivity in a plant. Transformed plants, plant cell, tissues, seed, and expression vectors are also provided.

An amount of photosynthetic biomass such as wood is converted into coal such as charcoal and a substantial amount thereof is permanently stored until the atmospheric CO2 level is reduced to an extent which is unable to cause a greenhouse effect. While a main portion of the charcoal remains in permanent storage, a fraction thereof may be retained prior to or retrieved during or after achievement of the reduction in the atmospheric CO2 level. Such fraction is converted into energy or an energy source, for example hydrogen, in a manner such that thereby the atmospheric CO2 is maintained at a level which does not cause an undesired greenhouse effect.

A method of enhancing inorganic carbon fixation by a photosynthetic organism. The method is effected by transforming cells of the photosynthetic organism with an expressible polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having a bicarbonate transporter activity. Preferably, the polynucleotide further includes a plant promoter. Sequences and constructs for implementing the method are also described.

A system and methods for enhancing mass production of algae, diatoms or other photosynthetic organism is described. The system and methods are useful in applications such as energy production, fuels, foods, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and CO2 fixation. The system and methods involve the use of a submersed rotating pole(s) on which lights are branched out at strategic intervals in order to appropriately increase contact between photosynthetic water-based organisms and light. Rotation can timed so as to disperse light and / or nutrients when the organism is in a receiving mode. A process flow system is also described which can be scaled for the mass production of photosynthetic based organism. This process system makes use of centralized automatable controls and linear or parallel growth tanks. The system can be used for continuous or batch methods of production of bio-mass whose values such as lipids or carbohydrate can be extracted for the production of fuels or other byproducts.

The present invention relates to a process on a large industrial scale for the production of thylakoids, from photosynthetic organisms, such as from green plant leaf material, to be used as ingredients in food, or additions to food, or dietary supplements, or pharmaceuticals for the purpose of preventing overweight, promoting satiety, reducing food intake, reducing bodyweight, reducing blood insulin concentration and reducing blood fats and percentage body fat in humans and animals.

The present invention provides novel genes encoding Class II acyl-ACP thioesterases and variants thereof that are active on C8, C10, C12, C14, C16, and C18 acyl-ACP substrates. The thioesterases can be introduced into transgenic organisms, including microorganisms and photosynthetic organisms, for producing fatty acids and fatty acid products.

Apparatus and methods for cultivating photosynthetic organisms, such as algae, in a bioreactor may include a bioreactor having a primary tank. Light and carbon dioxide are provided in the tank sufficient to promote algae growth. The algae is agitated inside the tank to increase the amount of algae receiving sufficient light exposure inside the tank. Agitation may be provided by a closed loop circulation system or a mixer having a plurality of rotating blades. The gas source may be positioned and oriented with respect to the light source to keep the light source free of adhered material.

A method of growing photosynthetic organisms comprising providing the organisms with flue gases from a fossil-fuel power plant, the gases being previously treated by desulfurization. The carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration of the flue gases may be increased over the CO2 concentration as released from the power plant. Also disclosed is a method for producing ω fatty acids and bio-fuels comprising growing microalgae by providing said microalgae with flue gases from a fossil-fuel power plant.

Quantum dot (QD) LEDs useful for plant, algael and photosynthetic bacterial growth applications. The QD LEDs utilizes a solid state LED (typically emitting blue or UV light) as the primary light source and one or more QD elements as a secondary light source that down-converts the primary light. The emission profile of the QD LED can be tuned to correspond to the absorbance spectrum of one or more photosynthetic pigments of the organism.

A water quality sensor for detecting the presence of at least one chemical or biological warfare agent includes: a cell; apparatus for introducing water into the cell and discharging water from the cell adapted for analyzing photosynthetic activity of naturally occurring, free-living, indigenous photosynthetic organisms in water; a fluorometer for measuring photosynthetic activity of naturally occurring, free-living, indigenous photosynthetic organisms drawn into the cell; and an electronics package that analyzes raw data from the fluorometer and emits a signal indicating the presence of at least one chemical or biological warfare agent in the water.

A photosynthesis inhibiting light source that emits substantially white light that does not exert an adverse influence on the human body while inhibiting / stunting the growth and propagation of photosynthetic organisms. photosynthesis inhibiting light source includes a semiconductor layer that emits near-ultraviolet light and at least one kind of fluorescent substance that emits light by being excited by the near-ultraviolet light. The near-ultraviolet light includes ultraviolet light having a light emission band in wavelengths of 300 to 380 nm and violet light having a light emission band in wavelengths of 380 to 400 nm. The mixed light of the near-ultraviolet light and light emitted by the at least one kind of fluorescent substance is substantially white.

Various aspects provide for exposing a substance to light. Certain aspects include exposing a suspension of photosynthetic organisms to sunlight, and may include optimizing exposure to improve photosynthesis conditions. Certain embodiments include controlling an opacity or opacity profile of a suspension of algae and / or diatoms. Optimizing exposure may include maximizing growth rate, maximizing photosynthesis efficiency, maximizing lipid production, minimizing damage, minimizing predator growth, maximizing a capacity to grow in suboptimal media (e.g., polluted water, brackish water, or water having a pH outside of a preferable range), minimizing requirements for nutrients, and other features.

The present invention provides a biosafety-guarded photobiological butanol production technology based on designer transgenic plants, designer algae, designer blue-green algae (cyanobacteria and oxychlorobacteria), or designer plant cells. The designer photosynthetic organisms are created such that the endogenous photobiological regulation mechanism is tamed, and the reducing power (NADPH) and energy (ATP) acquired from the photosynthetic process are used for synthesis of butanol (CH3CH2CH2CH2OH) directly from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The butanol production methods of the present invention completely eliminate the problem of recalcitrant lignocellulosics by bypassing the bottleneck problem of the biomass technology. The photobiological butanol-production technology of the present invention is expected to have a much higher solar-to-butanol energy-conversion efficiency than the current technology and could also help protect the Earth's environment from the dangerous accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Systems, devices, and methods for cultivating biomasses. A bioreactor system is operable for growing photosynthetic organisms. The bioreactor system includes a bioreactor and a lighting system. The lighting system includes one more light-emitting substrates configured to light at least some of a plurality of photosynthetic organisms retained in the bioreactor.

A liquid culture medium containing photosynthetic organisms dispenses from a droplet generator combined with a screen in the presence of light, and in the presence of a gaseous medium to form a liquid culture medium gas-enriched with the gaseous medium. Specifically, the droplets exiting the droplet generator entrain the gaseous medium. The droplets and entrained gaseous medium then impinge upon a screen. As the droplets and entrained gaseous medium impinge upon the screen, the droplets splatter and change direction and velocity, thereby generating areas of high turbulence around the screen. This high turbulence results in additional and increased mixing of the gaseous medium to create a highly gas-enriched liquid culture medium which promotes improved growth rates and production of the photosynthetic organisms contained therein.

Photobioreactors and systems for growth of a photosynthetic organism are provided herein. The systems and photobioreactors can comprise features and modifications in order to improve photosynthetic growth efficiency and light energy utilization. Also provided are methods and systems to improve the cost-effectiveness of a photobioreactor system for growth of a photosynthetic organism.

This invention relates to a process by which an extract comprising integral thylakoids is obtained. The resulting extract is a potent dynamic antioxidant useful as a ROS (reactive oxygen species) scavenger. This extract is intended to be used for the treatment or prevention of diseases involving the generation of ROS, such as inflammatory diseases or cancer. This extract also finds a use as a solar screen because of its capacity to capture UV radiations and to dissipate the solar energy into heat.

Methods and apparatus for promoting the growth of an aquatic photosynthetic organism within a growth medium in a photobioreactor may use a luminescent material targeting the aquatic photosynthetic organism in the photobioreactor. The luminescent material may be a substrate with a matrix of conductors coupled to the substrate, and light emitting diodes (“LEDs”) electrically coupled to the matrix of conductors. The aquatic photosynthetic organism in the photobioreactor is exposed to the light emitted by the LEDs.

The invention provides a device for growing genetically enhanced aquatic photoautotrophic organisms in a stable culture, causing said organisms to produce ethanol, and then separating, collecting, and removing the ethanol in situ.

A semi-closed loop diesel photobioreactor system and method are provided for producing diesel fuel from wild algae or from specialized algae that has been biologically modified for high efficiency oil production using waste water as a primary food source. The diesel photobioreactor provides a semi-closed loop system with an opening to acquire waste water below the surface to obtain waste water nutrients and to protect the algae species from contamination. The semi-closed loop diesel photobioreactor includes a container that can be designed in a variety of shapes with a tube design preferred, and containing a liquid culture medium for cultivating photosynthetic organisms. The system can utilize natural light and can also deploy an innovative lighting system integrated into the photobioreactor container. The diesel photobioreactor system also has one or more cleaning devices mounted within the container for cleaning the surface of the photobioreactor container.