DEDE may fund R&D of algae

Thailand’s Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) may fund the research and development of biofuels from algae, says Deputy Director-General Twarath Sutabutr, the Bangkok Post reports. “Two universities are now conducting algae research–the Chanthaburi campus of Burapha University, focusing on marine algae, and Kasetsart University, which is looking into freshwater algae,” said Twarath. The department will provide financial support as well as act as a matchmaker between the two Thai universities and James Cook University and the Queensland University of Technology, two leading Australian research institutes. (September 1, 2010)