Researchers at Michigan State University, in partnership with PHYCO₂, are developing a system that combines biological and chemical processes to efficiently capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) from coal-fired power plant flue gas and produce amino acid absorbents, polyurethanes, biodiesel, and methane. The system includes a high-rate photobioreactor for algae cultivation and a cascade biomass conversion process that sequentially converts algal biomass components into amino acid salt absorbents, biodiesel, polymers, and methane. The process uses residual heat from the power plant, creating a positive energy balance for algal cultivation and chemical production. By synergistically integrating algal cultivation and algae-based amino acid salt CO₂ absorption, the majority of CO₂ is completely captured from the power plant and the footprint of algal cultivation is reduced compared with using algal cultivation alone. Researchers will optimize the growth of a selected algal strain to maximize biomass accumulation and validate long-term stability of the algal culture without any contamination issues using two advanced pilot-scale photobioreactors located in the T.B. Simon Power Plant. Optimization of the cascade conversion process will be performed to achieve nearly 100 percent utilization of the algal biomass, and includes developing high-efficiency protein extraction, optimizing the mixed amino acid salt solution to achieve a CO₂ absorption capacity of at least 0.5 mole CO₂/mole amino acid solution, and evaluating the synthesis of biopolyol for polyurethane production. A techno-economic analysis and life-cycle assessment will be completed for a full-scale system based on a 160-MWe coal-fired power plant.