1948
Researches announced they were able to grow nutritionist algae using inexpensive materials under controlled laboratory conditions. (T4)
1950's
Production of methane gas from algae was proposed and NASA investigated the use of algae as a way to feed astronauts during long space flights. (T3)
1961
A research paper was published in a journal of nutrition titled “Algae Feeding in Humans” which shed light on the prospect of algae being food. (T4)
1980-1996
The United States Department of Energy supported the Aquatic Species Program [ASP] in which a relatively small effort (about $25 million over almost 20 years) was made with the specific goal of producing oils from micro-algae. (T3)
2007
The first industry meetings of the Algal Biomass Organization and the National Algae Association attracted a small number of scientists and a few biofuel entrepreneurs. (T4)
2008
Two industry associations emerged followed by an industry trade journal known as the Algae Industry Magazine. (T4)
2009
The Algal Biomass Organization Summit in San Diego attracted over eight hundred biofuel entrepreneurs and received international press coverage. (T4)
2015
1700's
Antonio Van Leewenhoek discovered algae by use of the light microscope. He made the equipment from a pair of small lens and altered it to a more corrected shape. With that invention, he made the first microscope which was simple of structure yet had tremendous magnification power. (T5)
The world's first fully algae biofuel flight. Within the press release, it was discussed the possibility of a fully biofuel-powered test route operating within five years, with Paris to Toulouse (a distance of 365 miles) touted as a contender. They also note that by 2030 they aim to have 10% of their fleet flying on pure or blended biofuels. (T15)
2003
TerraVia was founded on March 31, 2003 with the mission of utilizing micro-algae to create a renewable source of energy and transportation fuels. (T17)
2011
Algenist, an alga-based cosmetic company, was created in 2011. The various algal products this company has produced has been showcased in many known cosmetic stores such as Sephora. They also own a website in which all of their products are displayed. (T16)
2017
Using metabolic engineering, Professor David Stern, a biologist, managed to transfer the metabolic pathway of Botryococcus, a species of algae that produces large quantities of usable oil, into another species of algae that has a fast rate of reproduction. This process has advanced knowledge on metabolic engineering, and has shown promise for on-chip screening of algae. (T18)
TimeLine
