Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Over the last decade, interest in sustainably derived bioproducts has increased drastically. Bioproducts such asbiofuels and protein are desirable due to high oil prices and a lack of protein from fishmeal for aquaculturefeed. Moreover, bioproducts from microalgae contribute to CO2 abatement and in climate change mitigation.Traditionally, agricultural crops such as corn, canola, soap nut and jatropha, though abundant around the world,require large cultivation land and compete with the food industry, making them unable to sustainably replacepetroleum or fishmeal protein.Microalgae grow naturally all over the world, either in marine or fresh water, avoiding using extensiveagricultural land. Under optimal conditions, microalgae can be grown at high density, and then producerenewable bioproducts, that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and no conflict with foodsupply. In an effort to complete the prototyping and optimization of a full scale continuous algal biomassproduction, SabrTech has identified noninvasive and real time quality assessment of algae as a key forachieving an optimum production rate. The company is seeking NSCC's support to design a solution that willbe economical, easily maintainable, and can be quickly implemented using standards parts. The solution isexpected to address the challenges of low biomass yield, high capital and the harvesting costs.SabrTech's microalgal solution aligns very well with Federal Government's bioproducts initiatives andrepresents a new product line for a Nova Scotia's company, whose business is expected to grow substantiallyacross North America and internationally.