Algae research will get a big boost from two projects involving multiple partners that received funding this winter through the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (
DARPA). DARPA’s BioFuels program wants to reduce algae-based fuel poduction from about $20-$30 per gallon to $3 per gallon.
Two experienced defense contractors, both based in San Diego, are leading projects. General Atomics will lead a team of 18 university and industrial partners in a three-year project supported by a $43 million from DARPA. Science Applications International Corporation received a $25 million contract for all phases of an algae program involving industrial and academic organizations from all over the U.S. including; Georgia, Florida, Hawaii and Texas.
DARPA developed
ARPANET in 1969 which led to the Internet. DARPA also assisted in research for the development of
GPS technology. DARPA's Vulture program is developing an unmanned aircraft capable of remaining on-station uninterrupted for over five years.
