Aaron here, the subject of the article...
UV is not used by plants for photosynthesis (google PAR for more info), and represents less than 10% of the energy in sunlight anyway. Algae grow quite happily in glass and plastic tubes.

Hi, Aaron here, the subject of the article...
The trouble with using LEDs or any other artificial light sources to grow algae is that algae are at best about 5% efficient in converting light energy into stored chemical energy (though this is much better than any land plant). In my non-AlgaeLab time I work for NASA on a project (called OMEGA) to grow biofuel algae on the surface of the ocean using wastewater and power plant exhaust. The reason I'm interested in growing Spirulina is that the health benefits of eating even a small amount a day are quite significant.
BTW If you're interested in DIY algae, come to our workshop Oct 3rd in Berkeley. Upcoming workshop in L.A. AlgaeLab.org.

Clearly you've never tried making maple syrup before. It's a lot of work.
Spirulina are a blue-green algae; their evolutionary heritage split with green plants a billion or so years ago, so the nutritional compounds they produce are quite unique and not found in any other food product generally eaten by humans. There has been a tremendous amount of research on the health benefits (and lack of negative effects) of eating Spirulina, check it out for yourself.
And if you're interested in DIY algae, come to our workshop Oct 3rd in Berkeley. Upcoming workshop in L.A. AlgaeLab.org.

Hello, Aaron Baum, the subject of the article here.
We are acting to address this! A Make magazine article is in the works, with all the information necessary to build your own home-grow Spirulina kit including sourcing suggestions.

Hello, Aaron Baum, the subject of the article here.
Home-grow spirulina is relatively safe because Spirulina is an extremophile (or, more specifically, an alkophile)-- it grows in extremely alkaline environments (typically about pH 10.5) where harmful organisms cannot grow. This is accomplished in our recipe by adding 16 grams of baking soda per liter of medium.
As for disposal, there's nothing toxic or questionable involved -- just agricultural fertilizer, baking soda, and some edible algae...

Hello,
Aaron Baum, the subject of the article here.

I take about 20 grams of spirulina a day & it gives me wonderful stamina. Never heard of anyone getting the runs from spirulina -- I've taken up to 30 grams in a day and just felt even better. I have never heard of anyone suffering any ill effects from eating Spirulina -- it is the most-researched algae for both positive and (a lack of) negative health effects... Perhaps you're thinking of wild-harvested blue-green algae (properly known as Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae), which sometimes contains toxins which can have such effects.

Best, Aaron

P.S. If you're interested in DIY algae, come to our workshop Oct 3rd in Berkeley. Upcoming workshop in L.A. AlgaeLab.org.