Western Engineering hosts the first Canada-US Symposium on Microalgae for Bioenergy and Other Applications

Western Engineering hosted the First Canada-US Symposium on Microalgae for Bioenergy and Other Applications on June 14, 2010, bringing together scientific expertise from the Universities of Western Ontario, Waterloo, Toronto, and Ottawa plus Michigan State University and Wayne State University in the United States.

Sponsored by The University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Engineering, and Sarnia Lambton Economic Development Corporation, the conference was held at the UWO Sarnia Research Park.

Chemical Engineering professors Amarjeet Bassi and Wankei Wan, along with members of their research group and graduate students, represented the University at the conference. Several entrepreneurial companies were also represented including Pond Bio-fuels from St. Mary’s, Ontario who introduced their carbon dioxide capture technologies applicable to the cement industry. Algexperts from Chicago, Illinois were also in attendance and discussed the applications of microalgae in water purification. A number of other experts from various organizations including Ontario Centres of Excellence, OMAFRA, NRCan and Agriculture and Agrifoods Canada also participated. After scientific presentations of various aspects of microalgae applications, a workshop/discussion took place.

“A consensus emerged that there was a need for a regional Canada-US network focused on microalgae applications involving the Great Lakes region,” explains Amarjeet Bassi, participant and co-organizer. “It was felt that microalgae will continue to play an increasing important role in both areas of water purification, agricultural economy and energy sector.”

Bassi adds a future conference is planned for the coming year in Michigan and discussions on a regional network have also been initiated.

Also from this web page:

Contact

.: Allison Stevenson
Spencer Engineering Building, Room 2074
Phone: (519) 850-2917 Fax: (519) 661-3808
contactwe@eng.uwo.ca