Martin Spalding, Iowa State University (IMAGE) Iowa State University Caption With the help of a $4.37 million grant from the US Department of Energy, Martin Spalding wants to develop a micro-algal platform that will allow micro-algae to be treated as a crop, including stacking desirable traits that may increase that oil production and the production into hydrocarbons. Credit ISU courtesy photo Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.