Microalgae

19/11/22 11:28 a.m.

Having researched microalgae for over a good 6 months, I think it completely blew my mind when I finally got the opportunity to visit a laboratory at a local polytechnic to see the microalgae for themselves. Biological organisms like them are truly not as simple as it seems to the eye, and neither are they as complex as it sounds like. Professor W was showing me the piping system that they have to grow the microalgae out in the open air and the different squarish-cylindrical containers that have been growing the different strains of microalgae within controlled environmental conditions. They have proven high potential of microalgae in aquaculture but not much for carbon sequestration. It might be true that at the end of the day, the concept that I had in my head would be extremely difficult to operate and no matter how studies have proven the results and the high potential in utilising microalgae to sequester carbon. To have Professor W share with me what she knew so generously, as much as it was a big, tight slap to the face, it was a pleasure to have spoken and discussed with her about this. Definitely an experience I want to have in my books. I am glad that I have explored this and taken the step to really stress-test this to figure out whether is there a commercial opportunity in this. Furthermore, having talked to Prof S, Prof K, and also even Mr B to really hear their thoughts about this allowed me to learn a lot as well. The conclusion might not be as ideal, but I will bring this back to discuss with the team nonetheless and we could explore this in another way and pivot accordingly thereafter. 

It has been a journey, but I think this is just the start of everything. We have a long way to go and I am just glad that I have people that are interested and want to explore the same things as I do too.

A handful of opportunities, a heart full of blessings.