Algal Biotechnology : Integrated Algal Engineering for Bioenergy, Bioremediation, and Biomedical Applications

Algae Biotechnology: Integrated Algal Engineering for Bioenergy, Bioremediation, and Biomedical Applications covers key applications of algae for bioenergy and how to integrate the production of biofuels with environmental, nutraceutical and biomedical processes and products. The book emphasizes cost-effective biofuels production through integrated biorefinery, combining continuous processes and various algae as feedstock to produce biofuel, bioenergy and various high value biochemicals. Novel algal culturing technologies and bioprocess engineering techniques are provided for the optimization of operational approaches for commercial-scale production, as well as to reduce the overall costs. New and existing molecular methods for genetic and metabolic engineering of algae are also presented.

Furthermore, methods for the optimization of existing biochemical pathways are explained, and new pathways are introduced, in order to maximize the potential for biofuels production and related nutraceutical and biomedical co-products. This book provides an ideal roadmap for bioenergy researchers and engineers who want to incorporate valuable nutraceutical and biomedical products and environmental practices into the production of biofuels.

• Addresses issues faced by the bioenergy sector and how to resolve them through the integration of algal biotechnology and engineering
• Provides a guide to the efficient and cost-effective production of bioenergy, while simultaneously mitigating pollution and producing valuable nutraceutical and biomedical biproducts
• Covers new and emerging approaches in integrated algal biotechnology
• Offers a roadmap to their application in the production of biofuels alongside nutraceutical, biomedical, and environmental processes and products

Dr. Ashfaq Ahmad is a Research Scientist in the Department of Biological Sciences at Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He received his PhD degree in chemical engineering from the UTP, Malaysia, in May 2018. During his MSc and PhD studies, he worked as a Teaching Assistant and Researcher at the UTP. His research interests include algal biotechnology for bioenergy, environmental remediation, and production of high-value biochemicals.

Dr. Fawzi Banat is a Professor and the Department Chair of Chemical Engineering at Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from McGill University (Canada) in 1995. His research focuses on separation processes including membrane separations, desalination and wastewater treatment. Dr. Banat is the author of more than 200 academic papers, five patents, and six book chapters. He has delivered over 100 oral presentations at national and international conferences. He has participated (PI/co-PI) in various national and international projects funded by different institutions (European Union, Gas Research Center/ADNOC, Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC), The Petroleum Institute, Khalifa University).
Dr. Banat has received numerous honors and awards for research including Khalifa Award for Education/Distinguished University Professor in the Field of Scientific Research (2014) and Shoman Award for Young Arab Researchers (2000). He was listed among the Leading Scientists and Engineers of Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member States (CMOSTECH 2008). He has held several administrative positions at different universities including Department Chair, Dean of Research, Dean of Graduate Studies and Acting Dean of Natural Resources Engineering.

Dr. Hanifa AlBlooshi earned her PhD in Chemical Engineering from the UAE University in June 2014. Her PhD and MSc research work both focused on the enzymatic production of biodiesel from lipids extracted from different feed stock using supercritical carbon dioxide, and developing and integrated production process. During her MSc and PhD studies, Dr. AlBlooshi was appointed as a graduate teaching assistant and researcher, respectively, at UAE University. In addition, she was a visiting scholar at the Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia, USA, during that time. In March 2014, Dr. AlBlooshi joined Masdar Institute (now Khalifa University) as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering.
Dr. AlBlooshi has reviewed a number of research articles submitted for publication to international journals including Biomass and Bioenergy, Fuel, the Journal of Supercritical Fluids, and other waste management journals. In addition, she was a member in the organizing committees of several events organized by UAE University, including the Renewable Energy Conference in 2010 and 2012 and the Future UAE Energy and Environment Leaders’ Competitions in 2013 and 2014.