[Terrapreta] Algae to Oil Workshop in May: Power Exchange #2

[jim mason]

next month the shipyard / all power labs in berkeley callifornia will
be taking a short break from "all gasification, all the time" to
explore the wonders of oil from algae and build algaculture lab in a
shipping container.  the "algatainer" i guess we will have to call it.
 the workshop is hosted by dr aaron wolf baum of the chlorophyll
collective and daniel fleischer of aurora biofuels.  their
announcement is below.

like the gasification workshop from last year, the format will be an
introductory lecture and discussion to introduce the science and state
of technology.  then a multi-weekend build project to create a real
operating unit and experience first hand the pinch points of the
scenario.  the theme, as usual, is "expert topics made available to
smart beginners, with welder in hand".

this is the second in an ongoing series of workshop labs exploring the
 major pathways of power generation and conversion.  the workshops
provide the info, tools and people collaborations to incubate and
enable creative power hacking and related diy energy geekery.

jim


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  Algaculture Workshop and Lab-Building at the Shipyard / ALL Power Labs

  Join the Algae Revolution!

  Algae are an exciting new way to grow food, fuel, fertilizer, and many
  other products in far less area than possible with traditional crops.
  Algae can also "eat" exhaust and emissions, creating cleaner air, and
  transform polluting waste water into useful products.  Algae numbers
  can double, quadruple, or even octuple in one day!  Algaculture is an
  emerging, revolutionary technology that it is truly "green".

  Get involved through our workshop, where you can learn the techniques
  and concepts of algaculture and then create your own algae cultures.
  We will also show you how to create your own algae bioreactors and
  ponds to produce algal products on a large scale.  This workshop will
  result in a functional algae lab for continued exploration and to
  provide starter cultures and kits for do-it-yourselfers!  You are
  invited to take part in the workshop and to be involved in the
  community in the long-term.

  We will discuss elementary phycology and the main types of algae, then
  discuss the biology of the primary species we will be working with:
  chlorella, spirulina, dunaliella, and scenedesmus.  We will build and
  run paddle-wheel mixed open ponds as well as enclosed bioreactors,
  both fed by concentrated carbon dioxide sources, possibly including
  output from a generator or a gasifier.  Designs for exhaust cooling
  and handling will be discussed.  Carbon dioxide and optical density
  measurement techniques will be demonstrated, and we will implement
  basic data logging for our colonies.  We will also demonstrate
  techniques such as auto-flocculation, microstraining, centrifuging,
  and spray-drying.  We will employ an optical microscope for strain
  identification, and discuss (and possibly demonstrate) genetic
  analysis of our strains.  There may also be optional field trips for
  local wild strain collection.

  By the end of the workshop, you should be able to start cultivating
  your own algae, and you will be invited to join our long term algae
  community (and its permanent, mobile, container-based algae lab) on an
  ongoing basis.  Our long-term mission is to bring algae farming out of
  the corporate labs, enable community-based algaculture, and have fun
  showing off what we do.  You will also be able to take home starter
  inoculants for your own cultivation.

  The workshop will be led by Dr. Aaron Wolf Baum (aka Dr. Friendy), who
  has worked with many top experts in the field; he is perhaps best
  known as one of the founders of the Chlorophyll Collective, a group of
  algae enthusiasts who grew algae on generator exhaust, urine, and
  sunlight on the Black Rock Desert and in the Bay Area.

  He will also be assisted by Daniel Fleischer of Aurora Biofuels, a
  long-time algae biologist working in the algal biofuels field, as well
  as other experienced algae farmers.

  Dates:
  Lecture: Thursday, May 8th, 7-10 pm.
  Workshops: Saturdays, May 10, 17, 24 ,and 31.  Noon-6pm
  Cost: $350 per person.  Includes lecture, workshops and all materials

  RSVP your interest and signup to:
  Dr. Friendly aka Aaron Wolf Baum, PhD
  drfriendly at drfriendly.tv



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 jim mason
 website: www.whatiamupto.com
 current project: mechabolic (http://www.mechabolic.org)
 announce list: http://lists.spaceship.com/listinfo.cgi/icp-spaceship.com



-- 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jim mason
website: www.whatiamupto.com
current project: mechabolic (http://www.mechabolic.org)
announce list: http://lists.spaceship.com/listinfo.cgi/icp-spaceship.com