Algal Fuel

Algae fuel

Algae fuel, algal biofuel, or algal oil is an alternative to liquid fossil fuels that use algae as the source of energy-rich oils. Also, algae fuels are an alternative to commonly known biofuel sources, such as corn and sugarcane. When made from seaweed (macroalgae) it can be known as seaweed fuel or seaweed oil. These fuels have no practical significance but remain an aspirational target in the biofuels research area.

Algae

Algae are any of a large and diverse group of photosynthetic organisms. It excludes the land plants (embryophytes). Such organisms range from microscopic unicellular microalgae to seaweeds, multicellular macroalgae which may grow up to 50 metres (160 ft) in length. Most algae are aquatic, and some form cohesive colonies. Freshwater algae include Charophyta such as the filamentous Spirogyra and the grasslike stoneworts. Most algae are plankton carried passively by water, although some macroalgae have holdfasts for anchorage.

Fuel

A fuel is any material that can react with other substances to release energy as thermal energy or to be used for work. The concept was originally applied solely to those materials capable of releasing chemical energy but has since also been applied to other sources of heat energy, such as nuclear energy.

algal

Adjective

1. Pertaining to, or like, algae.

Noun

1. An alga.

fuel

Noun

1. Substance consumed to provide energy through combustion, or through chemical or nuclear reaction.
2. Substance that provides nourishment for a living organism; food.

Verb

1. To provide with fuel.
2. To exacerbate, to cause to grow or become greater.