Algae As A Biodiesel Feedstock

David James, Headmaster of Eastwood Christian School in Opelika

Contact Information:

Office: 2176 Lee Road 183 Opelika, AL 36804
Phone: (334) 749-1859

Area of Research: Creating a process in which algae (pond scum) could be collected from water, dried and pressed using a kinetic energy machine to extract oil that could be used as a fuel source.

Article, April 5, 2008: More than just pond scum: Fueling the need for alternative energy
“Today we’re proving that this can really happen,” said James, who was attempting to extract biodiesel from algae for the first time.” -David James

Biography:

David James, graduate of Opelika High School and Auburn University, has experimented with alternative energies for the past eight years. Those energies have included solar, wind, ethanol and bio-diesel. Mr. James has produced over 80,000 gallons of alternative fuel. At Eastwood Christian School where Mr. James serves as headmaster, bio-diesel fuels runs the school’s buses, other vehicles and machinery. For the past fifteen months, David James has worked with algae in the production of bio-diesel fuel.

David James’ has a distinguished military background. While at Auburn University, he was in the Special Forces ROTC. In 1971. he joined the Arm Security Agency(ASA) Electronics and graduated second in his class. In 1974, he served in Berlin, Germany, on a Classified mission; his Top Secret clearence allowed access to special intelligence. He was awarded an Army Accomodation Medal. Rcently, Mr. James was named a company commander in the Alabama State Defense Force.

Mr. James has owned a landscape and tree surgeon company. He has worked at a steel lab and at a magnetic tape lab. He opened Eastwood Christian Academy in 1993 and has served as the school’s headmaster and has taught math and science classes.

• June 19, 1952: Born in Opelika Alabama to Frank and Barbara James
• 1970: Graduated Opelika High School
• 1970-1971: Auburn University, Special Forces ROTC
• 1971-1973: March of 1971 joined ASA (Army Security Agency) Electronics, and graduated second in class
• 1974: November, Served in Berlin, Germany, Mission Classified, given top secret clearance with access to special intelligence, Army Accommodation Medal
• 1978: Graduated Auburn University, Landscape Design, extensive chemistry and plant knowledge
• 1978-1983: Owned a landscape and tree surgeon company
• 1983-1993: Worked at Vermont American, steel lab working with x-raay and dye penetrates etc.
• 1984-1993: Worked at Ampex, magnetic tape lab
• 1993-present: Headmaster at Eastwood Christian School, director of Alternative Energies, Advanced Algebra, Trigonometry, Chemistry and Science
• 2000-Present: Began experimentation with alternative energies, Solar, Wind, Ethanol, and Bio-Diesel. Have currently produced in excess of 80,000 gallons of alternative fuels. Worked with Algae for the past 15 months
• 2008-Present: Company Commander Alabama State Defense Force

Eastwood Christian School
A Christian Country Environment. Offers a College Preparatory Education for 1st through 12th grades. Buses are available for Opelika and Phenix City. Please call for details. The school is located at 2176 Lee Road 183 in Opelika. For more information, contact the school at 334-749-1859.