The University of Michigan (UM, United States) website reports that their scientists at the Chemical Engineering Department are working on a research project for the production of biofuels from algae, using a high pressure hydrothermal process. Algae-based biofuels are said to be "carbon neutral" because the amount of carbon dioxide released during its combustion is balanced by the amount of carbon dioxide captured during the algal cultivation. According to the UM press release, the "pressure-cooker method", "bucks the trend in algae-to-fuel processing", because even non-oleagenous (non-oil-bearing) algae can be used, and it also eliminates the drying process. The method involves the heating of the algae with water at "300 degrees" under high pressure, for about 30 minutes to one hour. The research team is taking "a broad and deep look at this process" looking at ways for the resulting crude biofuel mixure (after "pressure cooking") to have (1) increased the energy density by application of catalysts, (2) better flow properties, and (3) reduced sulfur and nitrogen content..