Microalgae Digital Applications

MIDAS is a 3 year research project funded by the Academy of Finland and explores carbon capture through microalgae. The project will support the transition to carbon neutrality in production of energy and commodities as well as aquaculture by improving the competitiveness of microalgae-based applications. The core of this research is to develop process integration, monitoring and control in microalgae cultivation, promoting economically viable processes in varying climatic conditions. Therefore, this research will be at the forefront of green transition, adaptation to climate change and related digital technologies.

The aim of the MIDAS consortium is to integrate microalgae cultivation with CO2 flue gas streams from industry, or CO2 and wastewater from aquaculture, respectively. At the same time, microalgae-based services and processes will be concatenated, including production of biomass, valuable biomolecules and hydrogen gas. Advanced spectroscopy based monitoring, dynamic process modeling and feedback control are supporting digitalization and automation of the processes.

MIDAS is coordinated by the University of Jyväskylä and comprises two Jyväskylä University groups and VTT. The consortium is at the crossroads of microalgae biotechnology, circular economy, sensorics and computational sciences.