AzCATI celebrated the grand opening of the world’s largest algae test bed facility in any university or national lab on February 21, 2012. Read more about this event and follow the story.
AzCATI Grand Opening
Video of grand opening »
A new test bed expansion at the Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation (AzCATI) was formally introduced through a grand opening ceremony on February 21, 2012 at Arizona State University’s Polytechnic campus in Mesa. This unique facility is a hub for research, testing, and pre-commercialization of algae-based products, including biofuels, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and other high value co-products. AzCATI provides open test and evaluation facilities for the algae industry and research community, from strain identification to process and techno-economic modeling. It also conducts studies that lead to environmental improvements through carbon capture and wastewater bioremediation.
This new expansion will offer 80,000 gallons of algae growing capacity through a combination of raceways and a variety of photo-bioreactors, additional support space, and processing equipment. This will enable AzCATI to provide additional technical services and enhanced capabilities to their partners and the rapidly growing algae industry.
Follow the story
Media coverage for this event has allowed audiences throughout the State of Arizona, the United States of America, and beyond hear about and learn from how this facility is contributing to the further development and advancement of the algae industry. These stories include:
- ASU Polytechnic abloom with algae, John Stanley, The Arizona Republic
- ASU Polytechnic develops algae fuel source, Mike Sakal, East Valley Tribune
- Officials: Expansion of algae-production facility positions Arizona as leader, Connor Radnovich, Cronkite News Service
- Video: AzCATI grand opening ceremony, Keith Jennings, ASU News
- Video: ASU's Algae Technology: Worlds largest test bed at ASU's Polytechnic campus, Channel 12 News Arizona
- Photo Galleries: AzCATI Grand Opening #1 and AzCATI Grand Opening #2, ASU
Speakers
The ceremony was kicked-off by welcoming remarks from Gary Dirks, Director, ASU LightWorks and Sethuraman Panchanathan, Senior Vice President for Knowledge Enterprise Development at Arizona State University.
Governor Jan Brewer addressed attendees as the key-note speaker and special guest. Following her opening of the facility and remarks, additional speakers included Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, Science Foundation Arizona President and CEO Bill Harris, ASU College of Technology and Innovation Vice Provost/Dean Mitzi Montoya, and Heliae, LLC President and CEO Dan Simon.
Tours
Attendees were welcome to tour the AzCATI facility upon conclusion of the ceremony. Stations were be setup at numerous checkpoints on the grounds where guests walked through the facility and heard from ASU researchers and scientists, about the important work being done at this world class center.
To request a tour of the AzCATI facility, click here.
Questions
Contact AzCATI for more information about this event at (480) 727-1410 or email azcati@asu.edu.
Announcements
Tours of the AzCATI facility are offered year-round to those interested in learning about our research, services and technical capabilities. Click here to access and complete the request form.
AZ=Algae(AzCATI)
The Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation (AzCATI) was established through a grant from Science Foundation Arizona. This video highlights AzCATI facilities and services and shows how the center is expanding to provide even greater capabilities.
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