## 7 New Approaches to Monitoring and Optimisation of Microalgae Cultivation Systems
### Smart Photobioreactors  
Smart photobioreactors (SPBRs) are an advanced solution in microalgae biotechnology. They enable precise control of cultivation conditions through the integration of advanced sensor technologies, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms. Compared to conventional bioreactors, SPBR systems enable automatic adjustment of environmental parameters in real time, resulting in improved biomass production efficiency and secondary metabolite yields. A key component of smart photobioreactors is the integrated sensor system that monitors physico-chemical parameters of the culture medium, such as temperature, pH, CO\({}_{2}\) concentration, light intensity, and dissolved oxygen content. An example of a modern photobioreactor equipped with a multi-parameter monitoring system is the ALGEM(r) Labscale Photobioreactor from Algenuity (Bedfordshire, UK). This device enables precise control of light intensity and wavelength as well as real-time monitoring of microalgae growth rates. The system is used both in laboratory research and in the optimisation of cultivation conditions for industrial applications [255].  
Another example of an intelligent photobioreactor is the Phyco-Flow from Varicon Aqua (Worcester, UK), which was developed for the continuous cultivation of microalgae under controlled conditions. This system integrates optical and spectroscopic sensors that allow the biomass concentration to be assessed based on light transmission and absorption in the visible and near-infrared range. In addition, Phyco-Flow uses AI algorithms to predict crop growth and automatically regulate CO\({}_{2}\) supply, which improves photosynthetic efficiency and biomass accumulation [256].  
The application of IoT technology in smart photobioreactors enables the remote control of cultivation processes and the real-time analysis of large data sets. The FytoScope FS 130 system from Photon Systems Instruments (PSI) combines controlled LED illumination with precise monitoring of the photosynthetic performance of microalgae via chlorophyll fluorescence. By using communication protocols such as MQTT and LoRaWAN, the device enables data transfer to the cloud and remote management of cultivation conditions, making it an ideal solution for long-term biotechnological experiments [257].  
In the context of scalable solutions for industrial cultivation, the Green Wall Panel II system developed by Subitec is noteworthy. This is an integrated photobioreactor system with automatic CO\({}_{2}\) supply control and optical sensors for monitoring photosynthetic efficiency. This device is used for the production of high-quality microalgae biomass for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications [258].  
Intelligent photobioreactors are increasingly using artificial intelligence technologies to optimise cultivation processes. One example of an advanced research platform is the microalgae high-throughput screening system (HTS-MAB) developed by Wageningen University, which integrates machine learning and real-time image analysis to automatically select the most productive microalgae strains under dynamically changing cultivation conditions [259].  
SPBRs are revolutionising microalgae cultivation processes by automating the monitoring and control of growth conditions. The integration of sensors, IoT systems, and AI algorithms enables precise regulation of environmental parameters, increasing production efficiency and allowing long-term experiments to be performed more effectively than with conventional cultivation systems. The ongoing development of this technology focuses on increasing the autonomy of bioreactors and adapting them to extreme conditions such as space exploration and microalgae production in degraded terrestrial ecosystems.