INL and OriginOil to develop algae-to-oil technology

Idaho National Laboratory
by Reuel Smith and Keith Arterburn , INL Communications & Public Affairs

Idaho National Laboratory recently signed an agreement to help OriginOil, Inc. validate and scale the company's proprietary technology for converting algae to oil. Representatives from the company converged at the U.S. Department of Energy lab for a February signing ceremony.
OriginOil Chief Technical Officer Vikram Pattarkine (left) signs an agreement on algae research with INL commercialization manager David Anderson.

Algae grows faster and requires less energy than other biofuel sources, or "feedstocks." But only a few technology companies have seriously pursued algae-to-oil research. In addition to INL's science and engineering strengths, the lab has a history of algae research experience dating back three decades.

"INL is uniquely positioned to analyze the efficiency and effectiveness of industrial systems and to develop algal resources for biofuels," J.W. "Bill" Rogers Jr., INL associate laboratory director for Energy and Environment, said at the signing ceremony.

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