Turning emissions into energy: our journey with microalgae and CO₂

At the heart of our research lies a bold question: What if the CO2 emitted by the oil and gas industry isn't just waste, but a resource waiting to be used? This idea inspired us to explore an unexpected ally in the fight against carbon emissions-microalgae. The oil and gas sector, a key driver of economic development, also produces massive amounts of CO2, particularly from flue gases during combustion. In most cases, these emissions are treated as pollutants. But in our lab, we're taking a different approach; one that views these emissions as a valuable input for bio-based innovation. Microalgae, tiny photosynthetic organisms, are capable of fixing carbon dioxide from the air while producing lipids that can be turned into biodiesel. By combining the principles of environmental engineering and biotechnology, we're working to develop a system where waste becomes fuel.