MARYSVILLE, Ohio — Cars today have come a long way. From horse and buggy to electric-operated; the next alternative fuel could soon be found -- in lakes and rivers.

One Marysville company believes it has the answer for the future: algae.

"You have plastics, you have advanced materials, you have feeds, foods, fertilizers, nutriceuticals and pharmaceuticals that can all come from algae itself," said CEO of Univenture Incorporated and Algae Venture Systems Ross Youngs. 
    
Their fast-moving research shows algae has the potential to produce 20,000 gallons of alternative fuel per acre of farmland. Corn only produces 13 gallons per acre. Palm, another alternative fuel option, yields 640 gallons per acre.

The harvesting of algae is simple.

"We use two small motors and a pump and that's all it takes," Youngs said.

And it's through his prototype that Youngs has found a way to harvest microscopic algae more efficiently. 

"We need to start really working seriously on viable alternatives that clean the environment and produce the fuels we need," he added. 

Youngs is creating not only fuel for the future, he's helping  make a greener planet.

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