AI key to new biofuels

US$281 | nature.com/articles/s41467021-27665-y

Algae is one of the most carbon and energy efficient methods for producing methanol for fuel, but it has been expensive to harvest and grow thus far. An article in NatureCommunications in January details using AI to optimise cell growth and improve harvesting techniques to reduce the cost of production to US$281 per tonne. This brings it down to be roughly on par with corn ethanol feedstock, which costs $260 per tonne and needs to be cooked before use. Algae growth software stimulates cost effective biomass production for energy production.