Even though gasoline prices have eased somewhat from the excessively high values a month or two ago, prices remain high enough to wonder whether algae biofuel is soon to be a possibility or whether algae biofuel will remain forever an interesting idea. To answer the question about the technological readiness of algae biofuel for commercial development, Emerging Tech Insights has made an algae biofuel technology landscape freely available.
The very first step in an algae biofuel production scenario is to choose the algae. The National Algae Biofuel Technology Roadmap and the A Look Back at the US. DOE’s Aquatic Species Program report provide a well documented list of candidate species for algae biofuel.
To see how our algae biofuel technology landscape (patent) database views algae – biofuel product connections, we constructed a special model using algae species segments and likely fuel end-product segments. Then, we built a network analysis picture to help see what algae species is connected to which product. The result is below.
Network analysis of algae segments and biofuel or fuel products segments.
Each circle is a segment in our database. The size of the circle is a measure of the size of the segment. The colors are clusters of similar segments found by the computer after the network was entered. In the original software package, one can view the links from a chosen segment by clicking on the circle. To see some selected segments highlighted, click on this link. The proximity of one segment to another is a measure of “relatedness” according to the computer.
The network picture does clearly show that oil and fat is the key intermediate product between any algae species and the final product whether it is biofuel, biodiesel, gasoline etc. OK. That’s not much of a surprise, but it is a test. Had the picture not shown these relationships, nothing else would have been believable.
In the network picture above, notice that Dunaliella, Shewamella, Cyanophyta, Bryopyta and cyanobacteria are all closely enough related (according the the computer) to biofuel that they are in the green cluster. Oddly, microalgae including chlorella seem to be more distantly related to biofuel by network analysis.
The advantage of network pictures is that they clearly show relationships among a variety of segments. The disadvantage is that the relationships discovered are dependent on the data provided AND there is no temporal picture of the how a segment or group of segments has evolved over time. To see the temporal picture, I use the Visual Index(TM).
Before we view a Visual Index (TM) (VI), let me spend a moment on the organization of a VI.
- On a Visual Index,each diamond represents a patent (or document) and it is plotted vs. the patent filing date or the publication date for other documents.
- Each line is collection of patents or documents in this segment from one parent company.
- The company at the top has the most patents in the segment.
- Other companies, organizations and individuals are rank ordered by the number of patent or documents.
- The group at the bottom (labeled Explorers) is the collection of all organizations and individuals with only one patent in the segment.
So, now let’s look at the Visual Index for some selected algae segments starting with the Chlorella algae segment.
Visual Index (temporal picture) for chlorella in the algae biofuel database
It is the pattern of activity that is important in the Chlorella Visual Index.
- Notice the large collection of of companies along the right axis indicating a recent and strong interest in applications of Chlorella algae in the biofuel database.
- The largest players (at the top) have come and gone. These patents represent potential prior art issues for newer players.
- Along the bottom line (the Explorers) and obscured a little by the label, notice that there is a collection of organizations and individuals with only one on the right.
- All in all, this pattern indicated significant focus on Chlorella in algae biofuel developments.
- For groups that are not already working in the this area, the pattern show it is not YET too late to participate, but delays are probably not advisable as later entrants will have more intellectual property to navigate.
The labels are hard to read. I have reduced the size of the picture to fit the blog. However, you can see this picture and all the others below more clearly in the technology landscape if desired. Click the link. Click the arrow. Register. Bookmark the control panel page. Browse.
Next, let’s examine the cyanobacteria Visual Index.
Cyanobacteria Visual Index in the algae biofuel database.
Again, it is the pattern of activity that is of interest to us in the cyanobacteria Visual Index.
- In this Visual Index, we can easily see that this is a very new area for algae biofuel as all of the activity is on the right!
- No company, group or individual has a commanding position in the use of cyanobacteria in biofuels.
- On the lowest line (Explorers), there is a burst of activity recently after a pattern of steady, slow activity.
- This is an emerging technology pattern. Interest is clearly fairly wide spread as a number of groups are participating. This area is new and hot, but it is not yet too late for new players. At the same time, the pace is significant and later entrants will face a stronger intellectual patent thicket than current players.
Now, let’s examine the Visual Index for Dunaliella, an algae known for living in brine or sea salt fields.
Dunaliella Visual Index in the algae biofuel database.
Again, it is the pattern of activity on which we focus for the Dunaliella Visual Index. Dunaliella has been known for its high concentration of beta carotene and glycerol.
- In this Visual Index, we see a pattern of exploration going back decades.
- Only a few players are currently active in this VI. Many have laid down patents and then disappeared.
- There are few new participants. See the right side of the Explorers line (bottom).
- This pattern indicates that there are problems to solve with Dunaliella in biofuels. The pattern does not say what the issues is, but it hints that SOMETHING is holding this algae back from being the dominant player in algae biofuel futures.
Now, let’s look at a broader phase, microalgae. This term encompasses multiple species that thrive in freshwater and salt water. From a patent writing perspective, claiming a broader term such as microalgae would be advantageous.
Visual Index for microalgae in algae biofuel.
In this post, we focus on the pattern of activity in microalgae in the algae biofuel database.
- It is clear from this Visual Index that microalgae is a common term in the algae biofuel database.
- Many companies have explored microalgae over the years. Some have come and gone. Those on the left. Many more are newly entering the field. Those on the right.
- The company at the top (most active) of the microalgae VI is Solarzyme. Yes, it is hard to read in this picture, but it is easier in the technology landscape.
- A look at the Explorer line (bottom line) shows that MANY new groups are entering the area and claiming microalgae.
- The overall pattern is one of intense, long-term interest. There is already a strong and old patenting base which could cause “problems” for new entrants. As we have explored the technology landscape, it is clear that microalgae is THE focus in algae biofuels.
Other patterns of activity are available for viewing in the technology landscape. The green algae Visual Index is about as active as the microalgae VI, indicating that this term too is widely used in patenting. Interestingly, there is less cross-over among companies in the green algae and microalgae Visual Indexes than might have been expected. The Visual Index is shown below.
Visual Index for "green algae" in algae biofuel database.
- The term “green algae” is widely used in patents presumably because it is broadly encompassing.
- The most active player, Global Research Tech, at the top is also one of the new entrants to the algae biofuel area. See the yellow diamonds at the top of the picture.
- The very active Explorer line (at the bottom) hints at the broad interest that is present and that those groups still sitting on the sidelines of algae biofuel technology should not wait too much longer or risk exclusion or higher costs for acquisitions.
So, what does all this mean? For me and if I were starting a venture group today, it is rather clear that I would initially focus my product development efforts on chlorella, a green microalgae. It is well understood. There is substantial – even excellent – starting point data on growth conditions to produce oils in the DOE’s Aquatic Species Program report. It is easy to grow and grows quickly. I would also not wait too long to lay down placeholder patent applications that cover my venture’s likely uses for chlorella, a green microalgae.
