Fascinated by the word “biomass,” a seventh-grader in Texas made algae produce 77% more biofuel oils in just five days with a simple vitamin-and-salt experiment

A seventh-grade science lesson about biomass has led to an intriguing experiment that could offer a new perspective on algae-based biofuel production. Arya Hirsave, a student at Canyon Vista Middle School in Austin, Texas, became interested in algae after learning about renewable and non-renewable energy.

Her curiosity eventually developed into a research project exploring whether microscopic algae could be encouraged to grow more efficiently and produce greater amounts of lipids, or oils, that can be used as biofuel feedstock.

Her project, titled “Micro’fat’ories: Increasing Microalgal Biomass and Lipids for Biofuel Production,” was selected as a finalist for the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge.


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Arya Hirsave wanted to make algae more productive

According to the Society for Science, Arya became fascinated by the word “biomass” during a science class. She began investigating algae because of their potential as a renewable resource and their ability to absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis. Rather than simply asking whether algae could be used to make biofuel, Arya focused on a more specific question: Could their growth and lipid production be increased?

She experimented with four types of microalgae: Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Nannochloropsis and Tetraselmis chuii. The first two were freshwater species, while the latter two were saltwater algae.

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Her initial observations showed that Chlorella vulgaris and Nannochloropsis were among the fastest-growing algae she tested. That gave her a starting point for investigating how environmental conditions could affect both growth and oil production.

Vitamins helped algae grow, while salt boosted lipids

Arya tested vitamins B and C as well as plant hormones to determine whether the treatments could encourage the algae to become more productive. The results indicated that the vitamins supported photosynthesis and produced a 6-7% increase in growth, according to the Society for Science.

But Arya discovered that simply making algae grow faster was not enough. For biofuel production, researchers are particularly interested in the lipids stored inside microalgal cells. These oils can potentially be converted into fuels, making lipid accumulation an important part of algae-based biofuel research.

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Arya therefore tested the effect of adding salt to freshwater algae. The results revealed an interesting trade-off. Higher salt concentrations reduced algae growth, but they caused the organisms to produce more lipids.

Instead of viewing the reduced growth as a failure, Arya saw an opportunity. She began considering whether the two treatments could be used at different stages.

A five-day experiment increased lipid production by 77%

Arya's most notable result came from combining the treatments in a carefully timed sequence. The algae were first given vitamins for three days, allowing them to grow under conditions that supported photosynthesis. They were then exposed to a high-salt treatment for two days.

According to the Society for Science, the five-day treatment increased lipid production by 77%. The finding is interesting because it highlights the difference between growing more algae and making existing algae produce more of the compounds needed for fuel.

The approach essentially involved supporting growth first and then introducing environmental stress to encourage lipid accumulation.

However, the experiment does not mean that a commercial algae biofuel process has been developed. More research would be required to determine whether the method works consistently on a larger scale and under real-world production conditions. Still, the experiment demonstrates how relatively simple changes in an organism's environment can influence what it produces.

From algae research to a future in astrophysics

Arya has been participating in science fairs since third grade, using her projects to explore different areas of science.

Her interests extend far beyond renewable energy. She enjoys crafting and making miniature flowers, but astronomy is another major passion. She has explored subjects including the enormous black hole TON 618 and uses a night-sky app to identify constellations.

Her long-term ambition is to become an astrophysicist.

For now, though, her algae experiment has already earned recognition at a national level. As a finalist in the 2025 Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge, Arya has shown how a question that began in a middle-school classroom can lead to an experiment with implications for renewable energy research.