藻類是小型的氣候保護者。即使在自然狀態下，它們也是極其高效的光合作用者，吸收的二氧化碳 (CO₂) 是陸地植物的十倍。在配備了適當感測器、控制技術和自動化的生物反應器中，藻類的效率可以提高到陸地植物的一百倍。這表明它們在發展氣候中和的循環經濟方面有著巨大的潛力。透過 PhotoBionicCell 研究專案，我們展示了未來工業生物化的潛在方法。
Depending on the nutrients fed to the algae biomass, the products that are formed as part of the metabolic processes are fatty acids, colour pigments and surfactants. They can be used as the starting materials for the production of medicines, foodstuffs, plastics, cosmetics or fuels. Unlike petroleum-based products, biologically based end products can usually be biodegraded and, in keeping with an overall circular economy, recycled in a climate-neutral process.
Our researchers have also focused on the cultivation of the blue-green algae in their work for the PhotoBionicCell. They are producing colour pigments, omega-3 fatty acids and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). By adding other substances, the resulting PHB can be processed into a filament for 3D printing. Complex forms of sustainable plastic components or packaging can be manufactured in a short time with this modern production technology. For example, specific fastening clips made of bioplastic are installed in the PhotoBionicCell.
Many laboratory analyses have been done manually up to now. This is slow and can result in errors. The automation of such laboratory systems in the future will enable all required data to be read directly and in real time and researchers can concentrate better on their core tasks.
PhotoBionicCell will be completed by using in-house developed software. The dashboard allows multiple photobioreactors to be displayed with the current data situation and live images. Changes to parameters and the corresponding evaluations can be made around the clock and remotely. Users can thus respond to changes in the bioreactor at any time and, for example, start harvesting the product at the optimum time.
The digitised laboratory will be enhanced by an augmented reality application. A tablet can be used to augment reality and visualise the technical processes, process parameters and information about the processes inside the bioreactor.
Our developers are also using artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate the data. This allows the bioreactor to be optimised for the propagation of the algae cultures or to maintain specified growth parameters with minimal energy input. It could also be used to forecast the service life of valves and other components. The use of digital twins created with the help of AI would also be possible. They could be used in future to simulate complete lifecycles of bioreactors and to show virtual images. The expected cell growth of different microorganisms could also be estimated with great accuracy before the physical setup up of a real system.
Even though we are still in the middle of the development process, the potential for the future is already becoming clear today. If expertise in automation and basic research come together, the road to carbon-neutral production on an industrial scale will be implemented much faster. That is why we are conducting research in the field of biologisation.