Fascinated by the word “biomass,” a seventh-grader in Texas made algae produce 77% more biofuel oils in just five days with a simple vitamin-and-salt experiment

A seventh-grade science lesson about biomass has led to an intriguing experiment that could offer a new perspective on algae-based biofuel production. Arya Hirsave, a student at Canyon Vista Middle School in Austin, Texas, became interested in algae after learning about renewable and non-renewable energy.

Her curiosity eventually developed into a research project exploring whether microscopic algae could be encouraged to grow more efficiently and produce greater amounts of lipids, or oils, that can be used as biofuel feedstock.