Rohith Kaliyur Properties of Algae Block 3 Individual Research Process 1

As I previously indicated in my first post, the first part of my project is to conduct individual research in order to thoroughly grasp an idea of properties of algae that other well-established scientists have already developed. This is so that I will have a better idea of how I want to approach investigating my own properties of algae, and applying those properties to the real world. I am currently researching different properties of algae through 6 current internet sources. I won't be including the links here because I am not yet sure if I am going to include all of the information of those links into my current research paper. That being said, I am also researching properties of algae through the publication      A Look Back at the U.S. Department of Energy's Aquatic Species Program: Biodiesel from Algae by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Although this publication is a little complicated in terms of prior knowledge, I am trying to thoroughly dissect the relevant information and extract any necessary information from this work. This is due to the fact that I feel that some of the information in this publication is extremely necessary in terms of contributing to my understanding of certain properties of algae. In terms of what I have actually learned from these sources, I haven't yet expanded my horizons to a maximal level. This is because I do not want to delve too deep into a subject, without the adequate knowledge, and face an enormous struggle even comprehending what I am doing. Comprehensively, I have identified that there are actually different types of algae, and that those algae also have specific features that confirm their respective classification. I will have to work around this, either by doing experimental work on all of these types of algae or by only investigating the most abundant type of algae. In addition to this, I have also learned about some of the basic scientific properties of algae, as well as have reviewed some of the things I have learned from 9th grade Biology class. My only relatively complex investigation thus far was to research through my publication, and to look at a few complex processes that could be done with algae on some of the websites I was researching through. Finally, I have also began looking in to the role of algae in the biofuel industry. Although I am not completely sure about whether I will choose to incorporate it in such a manner, this aspect of the applications of algae surely attracted the corner of my eyes.

Rohith Kaliyur Properties of Algae Block 3 Introduction to Research on Algae

The purpose of my research is to identify the properties of algae that may be able to be deemed useful for future experimentation. My lackluster inspiration for this project was merely both the fact that I had learned introductory biology, and the fact that I have access to the particular resources that can serve to help me in my process of both independent research as well as experimentation. My approach to this project, as of now, is divided into three phases of action. Although I have yet to determine the frame of time for each of these three phases I have in fact identified the particular overall phases. As of now, my first phase is to conduct individual research, and develop an understanding of algae as well as its own structures and function. By indicating an individual interest in the previous classifications of algae given to algae by preceding scientist, I will thus be able to formulate my own strategies for research of algae. I have already embarked on this process, as I feel it will be very beneficial in educating me of the background necessary to thoroughly examine the respective properties of algae. Following this phase of investigation and individual research my current plan is to try to find out certain unknown properties of algae through my own personal experimentation. My opinion is that this process will by far be the most time-consuming because of all of the trial and error to come, however, I am hoping to find something that will not only provide as a further contribution to the knowledge about algae, but also, provide an interesting manner in which to hone my own personal skills in research and investigation in an abyss of unfamiliar territory. Hopefully from this process, I will have obtained a significant amount of useful data that can once again condense the amount of  information to identify a few more previously unexamined properties. The final phase of this process is for me to try to develop methods to apply both the properties I obtained through individual research and the properties I obtained through experimentation to real life situations. Ideally, I want to determine certain properties of algae as well as their usefulness within society. As an extension on to this, if time provides, I would like to apply one of the properties that I found through my investigation and apply that towards an individual application. A possible, yet, not completely concrete idea would be to involve some of my research in making a healthy meal with algae, and explaining the ramifications of consistently eating that meal.