Hello,

I am currently writing a master thesis proposal for a 2 year long experimental research project culturing algae in municipal wastewater for the production of biofuel. 

I am working as a lab technician at a wastewater treatment plant and have an extensive collection of analytical instrumentation including nutrient analyzer able to monitor nitrate, nitrite, phosphate, ammonia, TP and TKN, a spectrophotometer, pH/Cond/DO meter, 1000X Olympus phase contrast microscope, etc, etc...

While conducting literature reviews, writing and editing, I have been trying to determine what exactly new and cutting edge alage research is.

There are alot of companies out there working on algae to biofuel, how do I carry on and not duplicate something already investigated and does it really matter?  What type of algae is the most promising, and how do I obtain it, should I stick with local species?  Is there a better way to build a bioreactor that "selects" for certain types of algae?  Are pure cultures better then mixed or complex cultures?..... 

I would really appriciate some input as to where to go with this project, I have lots of time to invest and the tools as well.

What would you do if you had a masters student conducting algae research?

AT