This project explores the hydrogen producing abilities of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii (C. Reinhardtii). C. Reinhardtii is green algae that have the ability to produce hydrogen under certain environmental conditions. The advantage of producing bio-hydrogen versus other commercial methods is that it will use less energy and unlike other methods which put out more CO2 trying to create a clean fuel like hydrogen these algae do not.
In the first part of this experiment, the algae were put under different concentrations of copper. The different concentrations of copper the algae were put into are 0.4 ppm (the regular and control of the experiment), 0.8 ppm, 1 ppm, 1.6 ppm and 2 ppm. After putting them in different copper concentrations the algae were put in an anaerobic environment which would allow the hydrogenase enzyme to function. The second part is to deprive them of sulphur. This has a similar effect as the copper under anaerobic conditions. The amount of hydrogen produced using the copper method was compared to the amount of hydrogen produced using the sulphur-deficient method. It was found that the copper concentration of 1.6 ppm is best (out of the copper bottles); overall the sulphur deficient method is still better for producing hydrogen.
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Grade Category: 10-12 (Grade 11)
Team Size: 1 or 2 (1)
Subject Area: Earth//Environmental Sciences
Project Type: Experimental
Language: English
Software Tools: Macromedia Dreamweaver 8
Macromedia Fireworks 8
Macromedia Flash 8
Microsoft Paint Vista
Microsfot Word 2007
Microsoft Publisher
Hardware Tools:
Microsoft Windows Vista (Home Premium) Computer
HP Photosmart R817 Camera
Source for Idea: While doing last years project on algae during research I had come across the idea of using certain types of algae for the production of hydrogen and decided it would be my next project.
Special Skills:
HTML
Graphic Design
Awards Won
Lambton Country Science Fair 2009
Senior Best of Division (Placement on Team Lambton to CWSF 2009)
Earth & Envrionmental Science Senior Division 1st
Nippissing University Award
Hydro One Energy Ambassador Award
Bluewater Power Achievement Award- Senior
IEEE London Section GREEN Science Fair Award
Sarnia Lambton Envrionmental Association Award- Senior
Canada Wide Science Fair 2009
Fair will take place in May 9-17, 2009