Microalgae biofuel research. Researcher monitoring a bioreactor to culture microalgae. These algae are being grown as part of the Shamash project, which aims to produce biofuel from autotrophic microalgae such as these. Bioreactors are used to maintain a specific environment. They allow all aspects of the environment, such as pH, temperature, and light, to be controlled and maintained at the required levels. Photographed at the IFREMER (Institut francais de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer) institute, Nantes, France.