Justin Pringle, University of KwaZulu-Natal COVID-19 has sharply brought into focus the impact of respiratory infectious diseases on humanity. It has also shown that the greatest defence against health crises is government policy that is strongly rooted in science. In an attempt to contain the spread of the disease many governments have implemented policies that
THE.EARTH.LIVE is a project inspired by H.O.R.T.U.S (see here ) The concept is simple: The earth is finite and so are it’s resources. How we use and exploit these resources will directly impact upon us. We are part of the earth… the earth is a part of us. So What? Well the answer to this question is
Look around… you may find that nature has already solved your problem. It really is surprising how much there is to learn from nature. If you think about it, nature and all things around us are the embodiment of classical physics, quantum mechanics, chemistry, biology … the list goes on. At the environmental fluid mechanics
Turbulence plays a significant role in the production of algae. Turbulence enhances the movement of algae cells in fluids. Algae depend on light energy for photosynthesis, hence considering that light decreases exponentially with depth in fluids, turbulence is essential for exposing the algae cells to light. Furthermore, turbulence improves the exchange of carbon and oxygen
It is predicted that in the future, production of diesel and gasoline could be replaced by algae biofuel. Interest in farming algae to produce biodiesel and other biofuels has developed in the energy sector. The good thing about algae farming (algaculture) is that it can be done with minimal freshwater; saline and wastewater can be
Algae need carbon, water and nutrients to grow, same as us humans. The main nutrients necessary are nitrogen and phosphorus, they are called macro-nutrients. Other substances are only required in very small amounts, they are called micro-nutrients and include for example iron, copper, magnesium, zinc, and vitamins. Algae can grow in nearly any medium that
Algae are used for a range of different innovations from lighting, via powering buildings to jet fuel, read about some innovative ideas here.
