June 26, 2008 12:26 PM PDT
Inside this small-scale fermenter, algae cultures eat away at carbohydrates like sugar cane in order to grow and produce oil. Solazyme scientists first test the different algae strains and food sources on this small scale before using large fermentation tanks.
Algae is such a fast-growing organism that when this fermentation process began, the liquid in the tank was practically clear. Over the course of a few hours, it multiplies and takes on a greenish color.
Photo by James Martin/CNET News.com
