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Department of Energy’s ARPA-E (Transformational Energy Research Project) selects Univenture (Algaeventure Systems) to pursue breakthroughs that could fundamentally change the way we use and produce energy.

Marysville, Ohio—October 26, 2009—Described as a “potentially transformative innovation”, the Department of Energy announced today major funding for continued development of Algaeventure Systems HDD dewatering technology. Univenture’s Algaeventure Systems was formed to explore technology barriers for algae to energy and has been spun into a separate company.

Often described as the greatest cost barrier to algae’s viability as an energy solution, the HDD system reduces the energy costs of dewatering microalgae by over 90%. “The recognition and credibility that ARPA-E provides to our breakthrough technology is extraordinary”, says Ross Youngs, Algaeventure Systems Founder and CEO. “Our technology can be transformational to meeting our nations energy and national security needs.”

Of the $151 million in funding being awarded through the DOE’s recently formed Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), Univenture is slated to receive $5.9 million, the seventh highest award of over 37 highly selected recipients. ARPA-E’s mission is to develop nimble, creative and inventive approaches to transform the global energy landscape while advancing America’s technology leadership. This is the first round of projects funded under ARPA-E.

Inspired by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), ARPA-E was created to support high risk, high reward energy research that can provide transformative new solutions for climate change and energy security. ARPA-E was originally established under the America Competes Act of 2007. In April of this year, President Obama announced $400 million in initial funding for ARPA-E through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

In announcing the selections, Secretary Chu said: “After World War II, America was the unrivaled leader in basic and applied sciences. It was this leadership that led to enormous technological advances. ARPA-E is a crucial part of the new effort by the U.S. to spur the next Industrial Revolution in clean energy technologies, creating thousands of new jobs and helping cut carbon pollution.”

ARPA-E seeks to bring together America’s brightest energy innovators to pioneer a low cost, secure, and low carbon energy future for the nation.

The first ARPA-E solicitation was highly competitive and oversubscribed, with over 3,600 initial concept papers received. Of those, approximately 300 full applications were requested and ultimately 37 final awardees through a rigorous review process with input from multiple review panels composed of leading U.S. energy science and technology experts and ARPA-E’s program managers. Evaluations were based on the potential for high impact on ARPA-E’s goals and scientific and technical merit.

The DOE expressed that Univenture’s (Algaeventure Systems) “application was among those of the very highest scientific and technical merit, and is part of an ARPA-E portfolio of high impact projects that have great potential to revolutionize the U.S. energy sector.”

Lead Research Organization: Univenture, Inc.
Partner Organizations: Rockwell Automation, Ohio University, Case Western Reserve University

DOE Grant Amount
$5,992,697

Lead Organization Location
Marysville, OH

Project Description
Biomass Energy / Direct Solar Fuels A novel algae harvesting system that could dramatically reduce the energy cost necessary to harvest, dewater, and dry algae by using a novel absorbent moving belt harvester. This technology offers the potential to transform the economics of algae-based biofuel production by removing a major barrier to large-scale commercialization.

MARYSVILLE, OH, September 28, 2009

Algaeventure Systems (AVS), the creator of HDD technology, was awarded Algaepreneur for its development of low energy separation technology to harvest, dewater and dry (HDD) microalgae. Often described as a barrier to algae’s viability as a biofuel, the AVS HDD technology reduces the harvest and dewatering costs by over 90%. With each demonstration, consensus is built that the extraordinary breakthrough of HDD technology provides algae with a path toward commercialization.

AVS presented the HDD system to attendees at the National Algae Association (NAA) conference. Included in the presentation was a video illustrating the dewatering process, scanning electron microscope (SEM) illustrations of screen performance compared to high pressure filtering systems, and cost analysis of HDD processing comparative to current dewatering technologies.

Throughout the conference the merits of algae were discussed. The low capex and opex of the HDD systems enables the merits of algae to become realized.

Algaeventure Systems CEO, Ross Youngs shared, “We are grateful for the opportunity the NAA provides in bringing leaders and professionals from around the world to participate and contribute for the collaborative good of the industry. It is through collaboration that we will realize the benefits algae has to offer. We anticipate this is one of many breakthroughs that will be introduced at the NAA”

NAA members and conference attendees were encouraged to attend HDD demonstrations at Algaeventure Systems in Marysville, Ohio.

About Algaeventure Systems, Inc.

Algaeventure Systems, Inc. is part of Univenture, Inc., an environmentally conscious plastics packaging manufacturer bringing to market a variety of patented and award winning molded and converted plastic products that are eco-friendly. Algaeventure Systems, Inc. develops technology and systems for algal production of lipids and biomass, which can be used for fuels, plastics, advanced materials, feeds, foods, and other valuable resources.

For more information on Algaeventure Systems, Inc visit algaevs.com, or contact Amy Bucklin: 937-645-4604 or abucklin@algaevs.com.

NAA Contact
B. Cohen, 936-321-1125
Info@nationalalgaeassociation.com

MARYSVILLE, OH, August 6, 2009

Algaeventure Systems has been awarded a purchase order by General Atomics (GA) to provide its algae harvesting, dewatering, and drying technology (AVS HDD).

With breakthrough technology and funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), General Atomics is spearheading the efforts of a group of corporate technology developers and universities n the pursuit of evaluating the potential of algae-to-fuel projects. The goal is to develop an environmentally friendly, efficient, and cost-effective process in JP-8 jet fuel that can be derived from algae oil.

The Algaeventure Systems Harvesting, Dewatering, and Drying technology is a breakthrough that allows for a more efficient and cost-effective process to removing water from algae. The AVS HDD presents a significant step in providing algae as an economically feasible alternative fuel source. As a result, the technology has opened new doors of opportunity by proving to be scalable, portable, and effective. Harvesting, dewatering, and drying are critical elements to driving General Atomics’ research goals. “GA welcomes the opportunity to work with and evaluate Algaeventure’s dewatering technologies under our DARPA Algae Derived JP-8 program. We believe that Algaeventure’s approach holds promise for significantly reducing the cost of drying biomass at large scale thus improving the likelihood of producing cost-competitive, algae-derived fuel products,” said David Ordway, Project Manager at General Atomics. The AVS HDD will be included in the DARPA technical evaluations, providing insight
in to new and future possibilities.

About Algaeventure Systems, Inc.

Algaeventure Systems, Inc. is a spinoff company from Univenture, Inc., an environmentally conscious plastics packaging manufacturer bringing to market a variety of patented and award-winning molded and converted plastic products that are ecofriendly. Algaeventure Systems, Inc. develops technology and systems for algal production of lipids and biomass, which can be used for fuels, plastics, advanced materials, feeds, foods, and other valuable resources.

For more information on Algaeventure Systems, Inc. or Univenture, visit algaevs.com or univenture.com or contact Amy Bucklin : 937-645-4698 | Email

About General Atomics

General Atomics is a San Diego-based innovation firm with a 50-year history of successful solutions for environmental, energy, and defense challenges. Affiliated manufacturing and commercial service companies include General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., which produces the Predator® family of unmanned aircraft systems. General Atomics (GA) was awarded a contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop scalable processes for the cost-effective large scale production of algae triglyceride oil and an algae-derived JP-8 jet fuel. The contract has a total value of up to $43M if all phases of the development program are completed.

For investor inquiries, please submit your information through this form.

For more information on AVS-HDD licensing options, please visit this page.

As evidenced in demonstrations and studies, low energy separation creates opportunities to more effectively handle resources. Low cost processing enables resources to be utilized that may not have been possible through high energy processing.

A Disruptive Technology for Removing Solid and Semi-solids from Solution

Many companies, research institutions and municipalities have requested dewater and remediation testing of the HDD system. To explore how the AVS HDD system may work for you, please contact a member of the AVS team.

Scalability

Breakthroughs with AVS low energy separation have led to a platform for scalable HDD systems. The current 500-liter/hour system is the platform for a commercial unit processing 15,000 liters/hour.

Our screen and membrane development team is also focused on developing its portfolio of solid separations. Scalability across many industrial applications for food, pharma, biotechnical, chemical, mineral and waste separation provide opportunities for many applications.

Ross O. Youngs, inventor and CEO of Univenture, Inc., will be on hand to provide examples of his environmentally friendly packaging materials, made from agricultural products and in Marysville, Ohio. Many other companies in Ohio are also leading the way in bioproducts development and marketing, including Battelle, who will also have a representative at Friday’s event.

All participants support Senate Bill 131, legislation recently introduced by Senator Gillmor that would implement a purchasing preference program in Ohio, similar to the federal BioPreferred Products Program, for the acquisition of supplies by government agencies. Gillmor provided sponsor testimony on SB 131 before the Senate Agriculture Committee this morning.

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Media Contact:
Erica M Pitchford
614.466.8049

Senator Gillmor provides sponsor testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee on SB 131. As an example of a bio-based product her legislation works to promote, Senator Gillmor is holding a soy-based lubricant, similar to WD-40, that is made right here in Ohio.

Contact:  Amy Bucklin / 937-645-4604

− Ohio company slashes cost of harvesting, dewatering and drying;
Reduces processing cost by more than 99 percent −

MARYSVILLE, OH, March 23, 2009 – A technological breakthrough that dramatically reduces the cost of removing water from algae – making algae an economically feasible source of fuel – was announced today by AlgaeVenture Systems following a demonstration of the process to a select group of collaborators and funding sources.

“For nearly 40 years, it has been widely accepted that if the cost of removing, harvesting and dewatering algae could be reduced to $50 a ton, algae could become a significant source of fuel,” said Ross Youngs, CEO of Univenture, the parent corporation of AlgaeVenture Systems.

“Today we have demonstrated a truly disruptive technology that reduces that cost by more than 99 percent – from $875 per ton to $1.92 per ton,” Youngs said. “We believe that this breakthrough moves algae back into the spotlight as an economically viable, plentiful source of fuel in the future.”

The AlgaeVenture Systems breakthrough comes at a time when interest in algae is on the rise. It was originally studied as an alternative energy source after the 1970s oil embargo. However, the Department of Energy determined that even though algae offered significant capability to produce biofuels, the cost was prohibitive. The Department ended its algae program in 1996, but interest was revived when oil reached record prices in 2008.

Univenture established AlgaeVenture Systems to address the growth of algae in industrial and agricultural areas in Ohio and other areas of the Midwest that demonstrated opportunities for algae farms to be located near existing waste and waste sources. The company believes this creates the opportunity to develop a variety of products – including fuels – while cleaning up waste from land and water.

The company’s focus is to manufacture and install simplified greenhouse ponds near power plants, wastewater plants, farm waste facilities, food processing plants and other locations where the geography and climate support algae growth year-round.

“Algae farmers have the option to grow food, feed or fuel, and can change crops and be ready for harvest in less than 20 days,” Youngs said. “Algae can protect our fuel supplies because it can be grown virtually anywhere in the United States, and can benefit national security by decentralizing the fuel supply and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.”

The technology developed by AlgaeVenture Systems – studying processes that exist in nature – utilizes a variety of methods of moving water, including capillary effect, cohesion, absorption and transpiration pull – the method used by trees and plants to move water from their roots to the highest growth, often hundreds of feet straight up.

“The process is counterintuitive,” Youngs said, “because with so much water and so little algae, it is natural to want to move the algae. But moving the water instead is very efficient, and all water is recycled. In fact, there are circumstances where adding water actually improves separation and drying.”

AlgaeVenture Systems’ prototype is scalable and portable, and can be custom made to a customer’s specifications. While it was designed specifically for microalgae, the invention is also applicable to several other separating and dewatering applications.

More details about the technology can be found at www.AlgaeVS.com.

About Univenture
Univenture firmly believes in the conservation of both ecological and economic resources.  The company is, and has been since its inception, environmentally conscious, bringing to market a variety of patented and award-winning molded and converted plastic products that are environmentally friendly.  Univenture started AlgaeVenture Systems to develop technology and systems for algal production of lipids and biomass, which can be used for fuels, plastics, advanced materials, feeds, foods, and other valuable resources.

Univenture has been designing and manufacturing converted and molded plastic products, including bio-based plastics, since its founding in 1988.  The company was listed on the Inc. 500 fastest growing privately held companies five times in the 1990s, and its founder, Ross O. Youngs, was named National Business Person of the Year by the Small Business Administration in 1997.  The dedicated focus of the Univenture team has resulted in numerous industry awards and accolades for its innovation, commitment to customers and sales growth.

Univenture has corporate offices and operations in Marysville, Ohio; with offices in Reno, Nevada; Dublin, Ireland and Shenzhen, China.  For more information on Univenture, visit www.univenture.com or call Univenture’s corporate headquarters at 800-992-8262.

Univenture, Inc. and AlgaeVenture Systems, a wholly owned LLC in Marysville, Ohio has announced on March 10, 2009 the details of a disruptive solid liquid separation and dewatering technology specifically designed for microalgae. Patent documents have been filed and an operational prototype unit has been demonstrated to collaborators who have participated in research and commercialization proposals.

Prototype and laboratory testing has successfully been achieved with three species attempted including Chlorella vulgaris, Euglena gracilis, and Botryococcus braunii. The company plans to continue development on the process, equipment, and technology and is looking to establish relationships with potential customers, licensees, distributors, as well as funding or investing sources.

For potential customers, funding sources and investors, a demonstration of the equipment is available by appointment in Marysville, Ohio, USA or representatives of the company will be in the Washington DC area the week of Biomass 2009 and appointments are being booked for March 16th, 17th or 18th.

In late March/early April, a description and video of this technology will be available online. Please keep updated on our milestones via our newsletter. If you currently do not subscribe, please sign up at http://www.algaevs.com/

Get an overview of this technology (PDF)

View the technical details (PDF)

Corporate Contact:
Amy Bucklin
AVS Project Manager
(937) 645-4604

Continuing with our commitment to achieving milestones, the annual audit of our 2008 fiscal year financial statements by Deloitte & Touche has been completed and are available for review.

In this diagram, an AVS algae farm is a critical part of a closed loop sustainability that eliminates waste and maximizes all material as either food or energy.

Left to right - Ross O. Youngs, Mike Logsdon (Ground Surveyor, George J. Igel & Co., Inc.), John Igel (President of George J. Igel & Co., Inc.) and Matthew Check (Senior Estimator, George J. Igel & Co., Inc.)

George J. Igel & Co., Inc. – Site Development Contractor – Igel is partnering with AlgaeVS on the site development specifications for construction of the Algae Farm Systems. Igel has been in business for over 90 years and has years of experience with site development of 1 – 300 acres.
After seeing our Algae Initiative presentation, John Igel understands the impact this can have on our country’s fuel -dependency and Ohio’s economy and wants to contribute to the success of our consortium. Igel is offering their expertise in site preparation relating to soil composition, grading and other specifications needed for the preparation of land for our Rapid Algae Farming systems.

• Vision and innovation based on – science and engineering
• The right partners with the brightest minds in the relevant fields
• Eliminate the preconceived limitations or perimeters
• Utilization of existing best practices
• Focus on continual improvements
• Strategy centered on openness and engagement
• Tenacity, get past the failures, set backs, and inefficiencies
• Collaborative support from various and far reaching communities or – constituents

This is the harvester being built for cell number 1; different harvesters will be built for the various cells as they are installed. The system Is designed to process 400 pounds of dewatered algae per day.

A collaborative team consisting of university and industry partners recently submitted a proposal to the Third Frontier Wright Projects program to build a Multi-Species Algae Bioreactor Facility on the campus of Ohio Northern University in Ada. ONU was supported on the proposal effort by AlgaeVS and Marathon Petroleum Company who represent industries that are committed to the development and use of renewable resources such as bioplastics and biodiesel fuels. Rhodes State College and the Edison Materials Technology Center (EMTEC) rounded out the proposal team.
The proposed effort seeks to develop the technology required for a loosely-controlled algae growing system that will allow multiple algae species to thrive within the bioreactor environment. The resulting system will be based around algal communities that grow naturally within Ohio’s freshwater environments. It is expected that the growth and development of naturally-occurring algae species within the bioreactor facility will result in a cost-effective solution to algae farming by achieving consistent algae harvest yields and by reducing the need for tight contamination control techniques and methodologies.
The effort will build on AlgaeVS’s significant activities associated with the development of Rapid Algae Farming systems. Ohio Northern University will also leverage faculty expertise within the College of Engineering and the Department of Biological and Allied Health Sciences for the design, construction and implementation of the Multi-Species Algae Bioreactor facility at ONU. The resulting technology solutions within the bioreactor facility will be commercialized in conjunction with AlgaeVS’s Rapid Algae Farming system. In addition, the specific algae oil products that are produced by the Multi-Species Algae Bioreactor facility will be evaluated for commercialization potential by AlgaeVS for use within their various plastic packaging products, by Marathon Petroleum Company for use as a biodiesel product, and by EMTEC as a potential bio-based jet fuel product.