**AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** WE PROPOSE DEVELOPEMENT OF A DEDICATED SENSOR FOR MONITORIG OF COMPONENTS IN ALGAL GROWTH MEDIA. ALGAE ARE A SUSTAINABLE SOURCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY. HOWEVER, THEIR COMMERCIALIZATION IS HINDERED BY LOW YIELDS AND HIGH OPERATIONAL COSTS. IN-LINE MONITORING OF NUTRIENTS AND EXTRACELLULAR METABOLITES WILL ENABLE CONSISTENT GROWTH AND INCREASED PRODUCTION DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF AUTOMATED PROCESS CONTROL THROUGH ADJUSTMENTS OF GROWTH CONDITIONS AND TIMELY ASSESSMENT OF EXTRACELLULAR CHEMICALS THAT SIGNAL THE DEVELOPMENT OF STRESS IN THE CULTURE. AS A RESULT, WE FORESEE AUTOMATION AS A CATALYST FOR FASTER ADOPTION OF ALGAE-BASED BIOFUELS AND OVERALL FASTER DEVELOPMENT OF ALGAL PRODUCTS FOR NUTRACEUTICALS, FEEDSTOCK, AND OTHER USES.