Another try to get grants for research development. First stage already done and now working on the precomercial stage. Need money to support next stage of research. Unfotunately the people involve still learning about algae and floating bed method. The old team already change or retired. That is normal cycle. BUT research is going on in the university.

Malaysian scientist Jagjit Kaurah's "Floating Bed Method" may hold a solution to the world's food and fuel crises

Malaysian scientist Jagjit Kaurah’s “Floating Bed Method” may hold a solution to the world’s food and fuel crises

Often it takes a scientific outsider to find a simple solution that eluded peers in high tech labs with big budgets. Malaysian scientist Jagjit Kaurah works at the Universiti Putra Malaysia research station in Port Dickson, and he was walking on the beach one day when it occurred to him that the ocean provides for free the ideal temperature and agitation conditions that algal biofuels labs must replicate at great expense. After four years of experimentation and pilot studies he has patented his “Floating Bed Method” photobioreactor http://www.europatentbox.com/patent/EP2129213A1/abstract/230387.html and last December he commercialized his final pilot project.

Macroalgal rafts are nothing new in Asia. Generally anchored to the sea floor, they have been used for generations to lure and nurture large populations of fish, and more recently to farm marine biofuel feedstocks. Microalgal rafts on the other hand are sophisticated marine photobioreactors powered by solar radiation and wave action.

ìWe still have problems with fouling, handling the sea currents and waves better, and the durability of some of our components”, says Kaurah, “and other less pressing concerns which require extra labour to handle. Thatís the reason our costs are about US$1.50 (RM4.65) per kg.” To be ready for the biofuels market he says he needs to push the cost of production down to US$0.70 (RM2.17) per kg to be competitive. “But I know what needs to be done and I am confident I can get it down to US$0.70 within 12 to 18 months.î

While he works on lowering the propagation cost of his microalgae, Kaurahís first commercial operation will produce spirulina, aside from egg white the only other complete protein source that contains all the amino acids required by the human body in the correct proportions. Kaurah intends to supply aid organisations with the worldís cheapest complete protein source.

http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2011/4/12/lifefocus/8327270&sec=lifefocus

Often it takes a scientific outsider to find a simple solution that eluded peers in high tech labs with big budgets. Malaysian scientist Jagjit Kaurah works at the Universiti Putra Malaysia research station in Port Dickson, and he was walking on the beach one day when it occurred to him that the ocean provides for free the ideal temperature and agitation conditions that algal biofuels labs must replicate at great expense. After four years of experimentation and pilot studies he has patented his “Floating Bed Method” photobioreactor and last December he commercialized his final pilot project.
Macroalgal rafts are nothing new in Asia. Generally anchored to the sea floor, they have been used for generations to lure and nurture large populations of fish, and more recently to farm marine biofuel feedstocks. Microalgal rafts on the other hand are sophisticated marine photobioreactors powered by solar radiation and wave action.

“We still have problems with fouling, handling the sea currents and waves better, and the durability of some of our components”, says Kaurah, “and other less pressing concerns which require extra labour to handle. Thatís the reason our costs are about US$1.50 (RM4.65) per kg.” To be ready for the biofuels market he says he needs to push the cost of production down to US$0.70 (RM2.17) per kg to be competitive. “But I know what needs to be done and I am confident I can get it down to US$0.70 within 12 to 18 months.”
While he works on lowering the propagation cost of his microalgae, Kaurahís first commercial operation will produce spirulina, aside from egg white the only other complete protein source that contains all the amino acids required by the human body in the correct proportions. Kaurah intends to supply aid organisations with the worldís cheapest complete protein source.