Raman-specific Spectrometer for Algae Biofuels Measurement

29-Jul-2009 - Germany

BaySpec, Inc. announced it has shipped a Raman-specific 1064nm spectrometer designed for measuring micro-algae, a promising future source of renewable biomass oilcrop biofuels.

Unique 1064nm Raman Spectrometer resolves fluorescence issues seen at lower wavelengths : While algal oil is similar to other vegetable oils in terms of fatty acid composition, the oil productivity of microalgae, on an annual per-acre basis, could potentially provide 100 times greater yield than soy and 10 times greater yield than oil palm. Utilizing BaySpec's unique Nunavut 1064nm designed system, researchers were able to overcome issued with fluorescence seen at lower wavelengths.

Microalgae producing oils can be converted into biodiesel, thus promising a viable fuel to help solve the global energy crisis. However, despite the recent booming of research on microalgae, until now research has not benefited from modern high-throughput, high-resolution, real-time, and in vivo biophysical techniques.

Traditionally, these microalgae were treated in bulk, lyophilized or in extracted forms, making it impossible to assess the information on fundamental biological processes in the single-cell or sub-cellular level. Utilizing BaySpec's 1064nm Raman spectrometer, in situ, in vivo and label-free Raman characterizations of modeled algal lipids are made, extracted algal oil, and most importantly, single living algae. Studies have demonstrated a label-free and direct method to obtain quantitative information of chain length and degree of unsaturation of the oil produced inside algae. It also connects with the important issues of the cloud point and the quality of algal biodiesel. Single-cell, real-time, and in vivo study of algae, with various lipid-triggering mechanisms, enables the possibility of researching and engineering of the best conditions and the best species for algal growth and oil production.

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Topic World Spectroscopy

Investigation with spectroscopy gives us unique insights into the composition and structure of materials. From UV-Vis spectroscopy to infrared and Raman spectroscopy to fluorescence and atomic absorption spectroscopy, spectroscopy offers us a wide range of analytical techniques to precisely characterize substances. Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of spectroscopy!

70+ products
40+ whitepaper
60+ brochures