The urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions has accelerated the search for sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels. Microalgae offer a promising solution due to their ability to capture CO2 and convert it into biofuels and valuable bioproducts. Unlike traditional crops, they have rapid harvesting cycles, can utilize wastewater as nutrients, and do not compete with food production. Despite these advantages, large-scale application faces significant technical challenges, particularly in optimizing bioreactor design, transport processes, and harvesting methods. A key obstacle lies in understanding the complex fluid dynamics of microalgae suspensions, where living cells behave as active particles in a multiphase flows and respond dynamically to environmental factors such as light, nutrients, and shear stress. Addressing this knowledge gap is crucial for improving the efficiency and scalability of microalgae-based technologies.
This project tackles these fundamental challenges by examining three critical aspects of microalgae fluid dynamics: (Objective 1) turbulence effects on large- and small-scale flow interactions, (Objective 2) behavior at solid and free interfaces, and (Objective 3) response to shear deformation. The interplay between fluid dynamics and cell physiology is a key factor influencing microalgae growth, motility, and distribution. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for enhancing bioreactor performance, as inefficient mixing and nutrient distribution limit productivity. By leveraging advanced experimental techniques—including microfluidics, 3D cell tracking, and rheology tools—this project will generate new insights into microalgae transport and distribution. These findings will guide the design of next-generation bioreactors and optimizing biomass harvesting for industrial applications.
