Going strictly by the numbers, oil-producing algae are a near-miraculous development for biofuel producers. They require very little energy to grow, multiply rapidly, and are fairly easy to process. One problem, though: they need the sun.

Not just any sunlight will do, either. Ultraviolet rays can damage algal cell wells and interfere with growth. Too much heat will also limit productiveness. And many organizations recommend carefully controlled indoor conditions to prevent the genetically engineer microorganisms from contaminating the wild ecosystem.

Anticipating the problems, Keith Klein, an assistant professor at Sul Ross State University in Texas is developing a multi-tasking solar collector, that allows algae the best access to the 680 and 420nm wavelengths of sunlight that fuel photosynthesis most efficiently.  

To prevent overheating and contamination, the algae will reside in an insulated tank below the collector, and the remaining sunlight will go to powering an array of photovoltaic cells, which can in turn be used to power control of the algal environment, processing, or any other task.  

Elegant solutions like this collector are the final step to realizing any number of promising theoretical solutions to our current energy crisis, and should be encouraging signs for waiting investors.