Research Funded By Japan Science & Technology Agency

OriginOil announced Wednesday that the company has agreed to partner with Research Institute of Tsukuba Bio-Tech (RITB), recently approved for funding to develop algae to jet fuel applications by Japan Science & Technology Agency (JST). OriginOil is the developer of a technology to transform algae into what it hopes will be a true competitor to petroleum,

Headed by Tsukuba University professor emeritus and algae researcher Takaaki Maekawa, PhD, RITB recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OriginOil to develop and distribute systems in Japan for aircraft fuel production, algae to oil production, and other industry applications.

RITB was recently approved for funding by Japan Science & Technology Agency (JST) for two years of research and development activities based on its proposal to the agency.

"Our funders have set a priority on sustainable aircraft fuels. Together with OriginOil we will target these fuels," said Professor Emeritus Dr. Maekawa. "We look to OriginOil for the needed technology and resources to help carry out this vast assignment."

"We salute Japan Science & Technology Agency for its initiative in algae-based jet fuel," said Riggs Eckelberry, OriginOil CEO. "We are privileged to have been asked by RITB to support Professor Maekawa's high-priority efforts over the next two years. We look forward to helping make his program a major success."

In the partners' first joint action, OriginOil spoke at a recent invitation-only workshop at Tsukuba University, which was attended by RITB collaborators such as Japan Airlines (JAL) Aero-Consulting, IBDAIWA, Mitsubishi Chemicals, Dow Chemical, Dentsu Tech, Tsukuba Agricultural Cooperation, NPO Genki Agricultural Production Organization, Nagata Trade Company, Tosho Merchandise Corporation as well as representatives of Aomori Prefecture and Tsukuba City.

On January 30, 2009, Japan Airlines made a successful biofuels flight test using a blend of camelina, algae, and jatropha; testing by the airline's pilots showed that the blend was more fuel-efficient than 100 percent traditional Jet A fuel (kerosene). Algae has been identified as a potential renewable resource for a petroleum replacement.

FMI: www.jst.go.jp/EN/, www.maekawabio.org/enkoukaishiryou.pdf, www.originoil.com/