Acoustic microalgal biorefinery: Riding the sound waves towards a sustainable bioeconomy (WAVE)

Microalgae are remarkable organisms which convert carbon dioxide into proteins, sugars, oils and pigments, used as building blocks in green chemistry, alternative fuels, food, cosmetics and even nutraceutical applications. However, these products are trapped in their cells, out of reach from conventional extraction approaches. Extraordinary interactions occur among acoustic fields and small particles in microfluidic devices, allowing their precise manipulation. Learning how to harness these forces could be a Promethean moment for many bioprocess applications. Thus, this work will reveal how microalgal cells and their components behave in these fields, possibly providing the foundation of a new line of research.