Swedish Designer Builds ‘Yacht’ That Turns Algae Into Biofuel

October 5, 2016 5:00 am
(Fredrik Ausinsch)
(Fredrik Ausinsch)
(Fredrik Ausinsch)
(Fredrik Ausinsch)

Designer Fredrik Ausinsch had the environment on his mind when he dreamed up his “Algae Harvester Vision 2030” concept vehicle.

Growing up in Sweden on the coast of the Baltic Sea, from a young age, Ausinsch was fascinated with marine life and protecting the sea, which is one of the world’s most heavily polluted. One of its main issues? An overabundance of algae.

 

(Fredrik Ausinsch)
(Fredrik Ausinsch)

 

So in the problem, the designer saw a solution: His idea is to remove algae via an autonomous, low-emissions yacht-like watercraft that would literally “harvest” it from the Baltic’s waters and turn it into biofuel onboard.

Per the designer: “The concept works similar to a lawn mower, so the algae [wouldn’t] drift behind the machine.” To make this happen, Ausinsch gave the vehicle pontoons, so it sits slightly above the surface, skimming over it.

A prototype of the vehicle will be on display at Dubai Design Week from Oct. 24–29.

(Fredrik Ausinsch)
(Fredrik Ausinsch)

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