Methods and materials for cultivation and/or propagation of a photosynthetic organism

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods and materials for the cultivation and/or propagation of a photosynthetic organism. Such methods may comprise the use of a lamp assembly that comprises a plurality of circuit boards, each comprising at least three edges, arranged in a substantially spherical shape defining an interior lamp assembly volume, wherein the plurality of circuit boards comprise a first planar surface in contact with the interior lamp assembly volume and an opposing second planar surface comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs); and a barrier that surrounds the plurality of circuit boards forming the substantially spherical shape.

1 . A photobioreactor for cultivation and/or propagation of a photosynthetic organism comprising:
 a.) a vessel having a wall defining an interior vessel volume; and   b.) a lamp assembly positioned within the interior vessel volume,   wherein the lamp assembly comprises:
 a plurality of circuit boards, each comprising at least three edges, arranged in a substantially spherical shape defining an interior lamp assembly volume, wherein the plurality of circuit boards comprise a first planar surface in contact with the interior lamp assembly volume and an opposing second planar surface comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs); and 
 a barrier that surrounds the plurality of circuit boards forming the substantially spherical shape. 
   
     
     
         2 . The bioreactor of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is cylindrical and comprises a cylindrical wall, an upper wall, and a lower wall each defining the interior tank volume. 
     
     
         3 . The bioreactor of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel is substantially spherical. 
     
     
         4 . The bioreactor of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel comprises a hole for a gas inlet, a hole for a gas outlet, or both. 
     
     
         5 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The bioreactor of  claim 1 , wherein the lamp assembly comprises:
 a plurality of circuit boards, each comprising at least three edges, arranged in a substantially spherical shape defining an interior lamp assembly volume, wherein the plurality of circuit boards comprise a first planar surface in contact with the interior lamp assembly volume and an opposing second planar surface comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs); and   a barrier that surrounds the plurality of circuit boards forming the substantially spherical shape.   
     
     
         14 - 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method of producing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the method comprising:
 a.) providing one or more photosynthetic organisms comprising enzymes for generating DHA;   b.) adding the photosynthetic organisms to a vessel of a bioreactor comprising a liquid growth media;   c.) contacting the one or more photosynthetic organisms with light emitted from a lamp assembly,   wherein the lamp assembly comprises:   a plurality of circuit boards, each comprising at least three edges, arranged in a substantially spherical shape defining an interior lamp assembly volume, wherein the plurality of circuit boards comprise a first planar surface in contact with the interior lamp assembly volume and an opposing second planar surface comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs); and   a barrier that surrounds the plurality of circuit boards forming the substantially spherical shape; and   d.). producing DHA from the one or more photosynthetic organisms.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the one or more photosynthetic organisms are algae. 
     
     
         30 . A method for storage of a light energy, the method comprising
 a.) providing one or more photosynthetic organisms comprising enzymes for generating one or more compounds from a light energy;   b.) adding the one or more photosynthetic organisms to a tank of a bioreactor comprising a liquid growth media;   c.) contacting the one or more photosynthetic organisms with light emitted from a lamp assembly,   wherein the lamp assembly comprises:   a plurality of circuit boards, each comprising at least three edges, arranged in a substantially spherical shape defining an interior lamp assembly volume, wherein the plurality of circuit boards comprise a first planar surface in contact with the interior lamp assembly volume and an opposing second planar surface comprising light emitting diodes (LEDs); and   a barrier that surrounds the plurality of circuit boards forming the substantially spherical shape; and   d.). producing one or more compounds from the light energy.