A*Star awards S$27.5 million in research projects

Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) has awarded S$27.5 million (US$19.07 million) to 28 projects by local researchers. The 28 projects include carbon capture and storage as well as harnessing energy and fuel from algae to developing environmentally friendly materials for the construction, aerospace and automotive industries. The projects are being funded for three years by A*Star’s Science and Engineering Research Council. National University of Singapore Associate Professor Jeffrey Obbard is among the researchers. He is leading seven projects on producing bioenergy and biofuels from biomass such as marine microalgae, the world’s fastest-growing plant. Obbard has identified about 50 strains of microalgae in Singapore, and has shortlisted a few to work on. (August 29, 2009)