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Description
The dream home of Dr. Clarence Golueke (L), Univ. of California research biologist, is a self-contained dwelling with ponds of algae on the roof and living space shared with a cow and 50 chicken. Like a perpetual motion machine, the "housebarn" (schematic layout, R) would use recycling methods to provide a family of four with power, food and waste disposal. Key to the housebarn is the algae ponds where the tiny plants would absorb solar energy and grow rapidly. The algae would then be placed in an anaerobic digester--a sealed cylinder in the home's center where bacteria literally eat the algae. The process creates methane, a gas which can be used for heating, light, refrigeration and cooking. The leftover sludge from the digester makes a rich fertilizer for the garden. Excess algae could be dried and used for animal feed. Dr. Golueke is holding a bottle of dried algae.
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