Abstract
- Algae is an effective and sustainable resource for creating a broad spectrum of bioproducts.
- Scientists have found it challenging to harvest algae due to the difficulty of collecting algae when in an aqueous solution such as wastewater.
- Rotating Algal Biofilm Reactors (RABRs) coated with carbon nanotubes have proved effective. The RABR floats in an aqueous environment and attracts charged algal particles in suspension.
- The tendency for algae to favor suspension over coagulation occurs only when particles of algae are sufficiently charged. This charge can be measured by analyzing the electric potential at the interface between the surface of a particle and its aqueous environment, known as zeta potential.
- The zeta potential of two species of algae, Scenedesmus obliquus and Chlorella vulgaris were measured, in order to select the most appropriate algae for effective RABR harvesting.
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Research On Capitol Hill 2016
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
1-26-2016
Recommended Citation
Hancock, Celeste and Flores, Michael, "Zeta potential: Key to harvesting algae for biofuels and bioproducts" (2016). Research on Capitol Hill. Paper 35.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/roch/35