This was just mentioned in this talk about spacecraft life support systems: <a href="https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25590724" rel="nofollow">https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=25590724</a><p>I suppose you got it from there as well?<p>It's surprising how simple a setup this turns out to be, for creating a working bioreactor that produces oxygen.
There are a lot of purported uses[1] for algae. The OP talks about oxygen generation[2] and food[3]. I've personally been really interested in cultivating algae as a source of carbon neutral jet fuel[4], specifically for personal energy independence. And, finally as fertilizer[5]. I haven't had time to do any experimentation yet but I'm excited to see that a DIY approach is so accessible.<p>[1] <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae#Uses" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae#Uses</a>
[2] <a href="https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/scholars_day_conference/2020/honors_theses/26/" rel="nofollow">https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/scholars_day_conference/202...</a>
[3] <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirulina_(dietary_supplement)" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spirulina_(dietary_supplement)</a>
[4] <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_fuel" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algae_fuel</a>
[5] <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaweed_fertiliser" rel="nofollow">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaweed_fertiliser</a>
I remember a great article in Make Magazine that described growing Spirulina.
I believe it was this article by Dr. Aaron Wolf Baum:<p><a href="http://www.algaelab.org/2011/05/09/algaelab-diy-spirulina-article-in-make-magazine/" rel="nofollow">http://www.algaelab.org/2011/05/09/algaelab-diy-spirulina-ar...</a><p>A recent post (11/20/2020) on that blog announces that Dr Baum has started GreenSpring Farms in Brentwood,CA and is selling fresh Spirulina.<p><a href="https://www.freshspirulina.com/our-spirulina" rel="nofollow">https://www.freshspirulina.com/our-spirulina</a>
This is quite interesting for improving indoor air quality as well. We know high levels of CO2 cause a cognitive decrease. Maybe the solution is a bioreactor in every meeting room?