University/College Programs – Advanced BioFuels USA

Biofuels Project Led by John Sedbrook Awarded $13 Million from DOE

by Rachel Hatch (News Illinois State University) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded a $13 million grant to a nationwide project led by Illinois State University. Professor of Genetics John Sedbrook will head up the project aimed to genetically strengthen a plant for use in sustainable energy efforts. “We’re

August 4, 2020 Read Full Article

Using E85 Fuel to Power Your Electric Car

by Dick Hagen (The Land) … So where does E85 fit into this challenge? As the fuel for a small internal combustion engine perched somewhere in your electric car which can be cranked up periodically as you motor across America. Once employed, this small engine then recharges your car battery

July 31, 2020 Read Full Article

Israelis Turning Watermelon Waste into Fuel of the Future

Racheli Wacks (ZAVIT* Environment and Science News Agency/YNetNews) Malali watermelon is known for its large crunchy seeds, which make a popular snack in Israel, and while 97% of the fruit is discarded in the field, a new study shows that the discarded produce could be used to produce renewable energy —

July 30, 2020 Read Full Article

New Catalyst for Creating Syngas from Waste CO2

by Amanda Doyle (The Chemical Engineer) A catalyst produced via flame spray pyrolysis can be used to turn waste CO2 into syngas for use in fuels and feedstocks. The catalyst has been developed by a team at UNSW Sydney using flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) to make zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles. FSP is

July 29, 2020 Read Full Article

Lithium Ion Battery Waste Used in Biodiesel Production from Discarded Vegetable Oil

(Tech Xplore/American Institute of Physics) … Brazilian researchers demonstrated a new chemical approach for producing biodiesel from domestic cooking oil waste by using hydroxide lithium mixed with either sodium hydroxides or potassium hydroxides as catalysts. Their work, published in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, by AIP Publishing, could enable future studies related

July 22, 2020 Read Full Article

Harnessing Biomass, Manure to Fuel Farms through Multi-institutional Project

(Penn State News) Transdisciplinary research team aims to create new value chains on U.S. farms, with emphasis on the generation of renewable natural gas, improved rural economic outcomes and protection of the environment. — A new federal grant will allow a research team led by Iowa State University, Penn State and

July 22, 2020 Read Full Article

Discovery Yields Road Map to Oxygenated Hydrocarbon Production

by Mark E. Griffin (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) … Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center scientists are enamored with one particular kind of long chain fatty acid, called furan fatty acid, because it could substitute for petroleum-based products including fuel, engine lubricant, medicines and food additives. Now, a team of

July 20, 2020 Read Full Article

IIT Guwahati Researchers Make Biofuel from Non-Edible Seeds

(Times of India) The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) researchers have developed methods to produce biofuels from non-edible seeds. … As plants and trees found in India, such as peela kaner, mahua, gulmohar, neem, rain tree, castor and kusum produce seeds that have oil, from which biofuels can be made,

July 17, 2020 Read Full Article

The NEGEM Project – Assessing the Realistic Potential of Carbon Dioxide Removal and Its Contribution to Achieving Climate Neutrality

(NEGEM) ● Reducing GHG emissions continues to be the main priority in climate change mitigation, but carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere (CDR) is increasingly seen as a necessary supplement to traditional emission cuts. ● The NEGEM project will quantify the real-world potential for CDR and assess the feasibility of

July 17, 2020 Read Full Article

A ‘Made in Oman’ Biofuel

by Conrad Prabhu (Oman Observer) … New research spearheaded by an Omani scientist and her team has uncovered the potential to harness high-quality biodiesel fuel from these (date) pits. Indeed, a pilot study funded by Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has all the hallmarks of a ‘Waste-to-Energy’ success story with the

July 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Microbes Pave Way for Green Flight

by Irini Angelidaki (Technical University of Denmark) … “Soon bacteria, yeast, and fungi will become the factories that produce not only fuel, but also a wide range of chemicals, plastics, and even proteins,” says Professor Irini Angelidaki, DTU Environment. An important realization in the bioeconomy is that the idea of replacing

July 16, 2020 Read Full Article

E-Fuels Can Replace Fossil Fuels

by Ib Chorkendorff (Technical University of Denmark) The aircraft, ships, and lorries of the future must be powered by e-fuels—fuels produced partly from captured CO2—and partly from hydrogen produced by the splitting of water. … According to the physics professor’s vision, aircraft, ships, and lorries of the future will be powered

July 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Biogas into Methanol in a Container

by Philip Loldrup Fosbøl (Technical University of Denmark) Sustainable fuel has moved a big step closer with a new demonstration plant that can convert biogas into the liquid fuel methanol. Currently, biogas is either incinerated to provide electricity and heat—or upgraded into methane (natural gas, ed.). “Methanol has a higher

July 16, 2020 Read Full Article

More Biofuel from Same Amount of Biomass

by Peter Vang Hendriksen (Technical University of Denmark) It is possible to produce much more biofuel from the same amount of biomass by combining electrolysis with biomass gasification. — In the Synfuel project, the researchers have succeeded in combining two known technologies so that more biofuel can be produced from the same

July 16, 2020 Read Full Article

Milking Algae Can Produce Eco-Friendly Biofuel

by Hannah C. (The Science Times) … Furthermore, the costs of culturing, collecting, and extracting algae can be countered by a safer way of milking the algae. Alice Uchida and Masaki Ihara led a team from Shinshu University, Japan in the development of cultivating microalgae while tackling three major issues of milking algae. The

July 15, 2020 Read Full Article

Scientists from Russia and Germany to Develop New Biotechnology Using Algae

(Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University/EurekAlert!) Project to create a resource and CO2-neutral energy closed-loop technology from microalgae Chlorella sorokiniana and duckweed Lemna minor. — Researchers of Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University(SPbPU) in collaboration with Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) completed an international joint project to create a resource and CO2-neutral energy closed-loop technology

July 14, 2020 Read Full Article

Qatar University, MME Work on Biofuels for Sustainable & Clean Energy Sources

(The Peninsula) In cooperation between Qatar University (QU) and the Ministry of Municipality and Environment (MME), a joint research team worked on the scientific project aiming to address the main challenges represented by lack of cleaning, renewable energy globally and the continuous production of wastewater that the world faces and hinders

July 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Odia Scientist-Led Team Develops Tech for Producing Biofuel

by Sudhir Mishr (The Pioneer) The present scenario calls for production of biofuels using green technology. The term biofuel is referred to as liquid or gaseous fuels that are predominantly produced from biomass. Biofuels are important because they can replace petroleum based fuels. Biofuels are generally considered as offering many priorities,

July 13, 2020 Read Full Article

New Biojet Fuel Could Be a Viable Alternative to Fossil Fuel

by Maegan Murray (Washington State University Tri‑Cities) A Washington State University Tri-Cities researcher is producing and testing a group of hydrocarbon molecules made from lignin, a waste material from biofuel production, as a new biojet fuel that could replace petroleum-based fuels and lead to greater performance and reduced emissions. Bin Yang,

July 9, 2020 Read Full Article

IIT-Hyderabad Uses Machine Learning to Study Biofuel Supply

by Syed Akbar (Times of India) Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad have developed a method using machine learning algorithms to study supply chain network of biofuels. According to the IIT-Hyderabad team, the method considers revenue generation not only as an outcome of sale of biofuel but

July 3, 2020 Read Full Article

New Candidate for Raw Material Synthesis through Gene Transfer

(Karlsruhe Institute of Technology/Phys.Org) Cyanobacteria hardly need any nutrients and use the energy of sunlight. Bathers are familiar with these microorganisms—often incorrectly called “blue-green algae”—as they often occur in waters. A group of researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has discovered that the multicellular species Phormidium lacuna can

July 3, 2020 Read Full Article

George Washington University to Fully Divest from Fossil Fuels by 2025

by Gabby Birenbaum (The Hill) George Washington University on Monday became the latest U.S. school to announce it will fully divest its endowment from fossil fuel holdings. The board of trustees pledged to achieve full divestment by 2025 and carbon neutrality by 2030, in addition to taking steps like phasing out single-use plastics. “Our

June 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Bioenergy 2nd Edition Biomass to Biofuels and Waste to Energy Published by Academic Press

(Elsevier) Bioenergy: Biomass to Biofuels and Waste to Energy, 2nd Edition presents a complete overview of the bioenergy value chain, from feedstock to end products. It examines current and emerging feedstocks and advanced processes and technologies enabling the development of all possible alternative energy sources. Divided into seven parts, bioenergy

June 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Engineers Find Neat Way to Turn Waste Carbon Dioxide into Useful Material

by Lachlan Gilbert (University of South Wales Sydney Newsroom) Making catalysts to convert waste carbon dioxide into useful industrial products has been expensive and complicated – until now. UNSW engineers show it’s as easy as playing with Lego. — Chemical engineers from UNSW Sydney have developed new technology that helps convert

June 30, 2020 Read Full Article

CUHK Scientists Develop a Novel Technology for Generating Biocatalysts for Biodiesel Production

(Asia Today) A research team from the School of Life Sciences at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has developed a novel method for extracting enzymes from bacteria, which lowers the production cost yet improves the enzyme’s stability. It also opens up a new avenue for the enzymatic production of

June 29, 2020 Read Full Article

An Innovative Catalyst with Pt, Re and SnO2 Nanoparticles as Anode Material in Ethanol Fuel Cells

(Polish Academy of Sciences/EurekAlert!) Scientists working at the Department for Functional Nanomaterials at the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences designed and synthesized a functional ternary Pt/Re/SnO2/C catalyst as an anode material in a direct ethanol fuel cell. It was possible by synthesizing platinum, rhenium and tin

June 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Towards a Green Future: Efficient Laser Technique Can Convert Cellulose into Biofuel

(Tech Xplore/Tokyo University of Science) … The plant-based polymer cellulose is the most abundant form of biomass globally and can be converted into raw materials such as glucose and xylose for the production of bioethanol (a type of biofuel). But this process is challenging owing to the molecule’s rigid and

June 24, 2020 Read Full Article

The Exhaust Gas from a Power Plant Can Be Recovered and Used as a Raw Reaction Material Energy-Saving CO2 Capture Technology with H2 Gas Is Developed by Integrating the CO2 Separation and Conversion Process

(Science Daily/Japan Science and Technology Agency) A research group developed a new technology that can drastically conserve the energy used to capture CO2 from gases exhausted from a concentrated source such as thermal power plants. With this technology, namely H2 stripping regeneration technology, combustion exhaust gas can be replaced by

June 24, 2020 Read Full Article

Smart Farms of the Future: Making Bioenergy Crops More Environmentally Friendly

by Julie Chao (Joint BioEnergy Institute) Farmers have enough worries – between bad weather, rising costs, and shifting market demands – without having to stress about the carbon footprint of their operations. But now a new set of projects by scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), including scientists at the

June 22, 2020 Read Full Article

IIT Madras Researchers Use Agri Waste, Plastic to Make Biofuel

(The Hindu) Team develops microwave-assisted pyrolysis process to achieve the goal — Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras have developed a microwave process to produce biofuel from plastic waste, rice straw and sugarcane bagasse. A team of three researchers led by R. Vinu, associate professor in Chemical engineering

June 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Weed Wizard: Professor Alters Plant Genes to Create Wonder Crop

by Rachel Hatch (Illinois State University News) … An ISU professor of genetics, (John) Sedbrook is devoted to integrated plant biology and bioenergy, meaning his research focuses on bringing out positive genetic traits in plants. “We’re making mutations that are good,” he said. “That is the whole story behind domestication,

June 15, 2020 Read Full Article

Using Wastewater to Produce Better Algae for Biofuels

by Carrie Talus (New Mexico Consortium) New Mexico Consortium scientist, Joseph Msanne, along with colleagues Shawn Starkenburg and Juergen Polle, recently published an article titled An Assessment of Heterotrophy and Mixotrophy in Scenedesmus and its Utilization in Wastewater Treatment, in the June 2020 issue of Algal Research. This review looks at whether

June 15, 2020 Read Full Article

Safflower Oil Hailed by Scientists as Possible Recyclable, Biodegradable Replacement for Petroleum

by Tim Lee (ABC News) …Victorian grain grower David Jochinke, who participated in the trials, said the prospect of pioneering a biofuel was exciting. “To have a product that needs very little refining, is biodegradable, is a bio-energy, is a bio-fuel, is something that displaces petroleum, something that’s been traditionally used

June 11, 2020 Read Full Article

2020 Sustainability, Innovation and Engagement Fund Awards Announced

(University of Massachusetts Amherst) Nine projects have received a total of more than $29,000 in grants from the Sustainability, Innovation and Engagement Fund for its 2019-20 funding cycle. Established in August 2013, the fund is designed to foster a strong culture of sustainability on our campus by providing financial support to

June 11, 2020 Read Full Article

H2@Scale in Texas: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Part 1 of 3 Hot Hydrogen Multi-Slide Guides

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Part 1 of today’s Hot Hydrogen slide guides, Frontier Energy shares their H2@Scale vision, progress in Texas and why Texas is actually a pretty ideal location to lead H2 production for a sustainable energy system, the recent U.S. Department of Energy award for a

June 11, 2020 Read Full Article

Renewable Fuel from Carbon Dioxide with the Aid of Solar Energy

(Linköping University/EurekAlert!) Researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, are attempting to convert carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, to fuel using energy from sunlight. Recent results have shown that it is possible to use their technique to selectively produce methane, carbon monoxide or formic acid from carbon dioxide and water. The study has

June 10, 2020 Read Full Article

How to Get Electricity from Algae: Developed at ETU “LETI”

(St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University) Researchers from St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” have developed a model of biofuel cell for electricity generation using cyanobacteria. — Nowadays, the engineering of environmentally friendly and renewable energy sources is one of the most important problems of humanity. The Engineering Center for Microtechnology and Diagnostics

June 4, 2020 Read Full Article

Scientists Develop New Chemicals Process to Recycle Bioplastics

(BioMarket Insight) The UK-based scientists at the Universities of Birmingham and Bath have developed what they describe as a “faster, more efficient way” of recycling plant-based bioplastics. The team has shown how their chemical recycling method not only speeds up the process, it can also be converted into a new product

June 4, 2020 Read Full Article

Minute Molecular Movements Might Lead to More Efficient Biofuel Cells

(Leiden University/Phys.Org) Leiden researchers have found minute movements in the laccase enzyme. This discovery could lead to the development of much more efficient biofuel cells. Publication in Biophysical Journal. READ MORE Chemical exchange at the tri-nuclear copper centre of small laccase from Streptomyces coelicolor. (Biophysical Journal)

June 1, 2020 Read Full Article

ASTM Approves Pathway for Production of Microalgae-Based Sustainable Aviation Fuel Developed by Japan’s IHI

(GreenAir Online) Fuel standards organisation ASTM International has approved the seventh technology pathway for the production and use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Annex A7 to ASTM’s SAF specification D7566 establishes approval for a type of synthesised paraffinic kerosene derived from hydroprocessed hydrocarbons, esters and fatty acids. The standard provides

May 29, 2020 Read Full Article

Oregon State University: Researchers Make Key Advance Toward Production of Important Biofuel

(The Register Guard) An international research collaboration has taken an important step toward the commercially viable manufacture of biobutanol, an alcohol whose strong potential as a fuel for gasoline-powered engines could pave the path away from fossil fuels, according to news release from Oregon State University. The key breakthrough is the

May 25, 2020 Read Full Article

2020-21 Planet Forward Correspondent Application Open DEADLINE: June 12, 2020

(Planet Forward) Are you interested in environmental journalism that can move the planet forward? Are you a great storyteller, or want to become one? Are you motivated by science, the environment or journalism? JOIN A SELECT TEAM OF TALENTED STUDENTS as a Planet Forward Correspondent. Correspondents, each working from their

May 22, 2020 Read Full Article

Maryland Energy Innovation Institute (MEI2) Energy Seed Grants Awarded

(Maryland Energy Innovation Institute) The Maryland Energy Innovation Institute (MEI2) awarded the third round of their Energy Innovation Seed Grants to six projects across the University System of Maryland. The grants are intended to bridge the gap between academic transformative laboratory research results and prototype demonstrations while fostering commercialization through technology development, creation and/or

May 21, 2020 Read Full Article

Rapid Screening Method Targets Fatty Acids in Yeast; Key to Sustainable Bioproducts

(Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation) Scientists engineering valuable microbes for renewable fuels and bioproducts have developed a fast, efficient way to identify the most promising varieties. Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign developed a novel mass spectrometry-based screening technique to rapidly profile medium-chain fatty acids produced

May 21, 2020 Read Full Article

Fueling a Cleaner Future: Ethanol Is Just the Beginning

(Omaha World-Herald/Nebraska Corn Board) When you stop at the gas station to top off your tank, how much thought do you put in to choosing the fuel that’s right for your car? For your wallet? For the environment? For the air quality in your community? The truth is, transportation is the

May 20, 2020 Read Full Article

Amid Oil Price Crash, a New Hope for Biofuels

by Tina Casey (Triple Pundit) … (T)there are reasons to be optimistic about the future of biofuels, as the field continues to evolve remarkably from where it was a decade ago. … Rather than letting the rest of the plant go to waste, the focus has turned to developing enzymes that can

May 19, 2020 Read Full Article

Multi-Scale Structured Materials for Electrocatalysis and Photoelectrocatalysis

(Dresden University of Technology/Phys.Org) As a new class of porous materials, noble metal aerogels (NMAs) have drawn attention for their self-supported architectures, high surface areas and their many optically and catalytically active sites, enabling impressive performance in diverse fields. However, current fabrication methods suffer from long fabrication periods, unavoidable impurities,

May 19, 2020 Read Full Article

Algae Education and the Future of the Bioeconomy

by Christy Sterner (U.S. Department of Energy) How ATEC leads the way toward educating the next generation of bioeconomy professionals. The Algae Technology Educational Consortium (ATEC) is a collaboration between the Algae Foundation, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO), and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Together, these organizations have created many widely accessible workforce

May 15, 2020 Read Full Article

A Roadmap to the Ammonia Economy

by Tammy Klein (Future Fuel Strategies) Researchers at Monash University in Australia have proposed a roadmap to renewable ammonia being produced in the future at a scale that is significant in terms of global fossil fuel use in a paper recently published in Joule. The authors note that while there is global

May 14, 2020 Read Full Article

Solve Invasive Seaweed Problem by Turning It into Biofuels and Fertilisers

(University of Bath/Phys.Org) UK researchers have developed a cheap and simple way of creating biofuel and fertiliser from seaweed, whilst removing plastic from the oceans and cleaning up tourist beaches in the Caribbean and Central America. Millions of tonnes of rotting seaweed washes up on beaches of Mexico, the Caribbean and

May 13, 2020 Read Full Article

TU/e-led Consortium IDEALFUEL for the Development of Renewable Maritime Fuels Kicks off

(Eindhoven University of Technology) EU-funded project aims to develop new production methods for sustainable maritime fuels. — Many ships use heavy fuel oils that contain large amounts of sulphur and nitrogen leading to the emission of greenhouse gases and other damaging substances. The TU/e-led consortium IDEALFUEL seeks to address this issue

May 12, 2020 Read Full Article

Making Commodity Chemicals Requires Fossil Fuels. New Devices Could Do It with Renewables

by Robert F. Service (Science Magazine) As windmills and solar panels multiply, the supply of renewable electricity sometimes exceeds demand. Chemists would like to put the excess to work making commodity chemicals, such as the raw materials for fertilizer and plastics, which are now produced with heat, pressure, and copious fossil

May 11, 2020 Read Full Article

Research Brief: Engineering Natural Selection in Microbes Has Implications for Biofuel Production, Addressing Antibiotic Resistance

(University of Minnesota) … “So many other things change around a gene at the same time, you can’t focus on how a single gene changes,” said Michael Travisano, a professor in the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences’ Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior and the BioTechnology Institute. “This was a major limitation for understanding evolutionary

May 8, 2020 Read Full Article

Gene Edited Algae and Microbes to Make Fuel on Mars

by Brian Wang (Next BIG Future) NASA NIAC fund work to use bioorganisms to perform atmospheric in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). Utilizing 100% ISRU for propellant production, they aim to reduce the Entry Descent Landing (EDL) mass of a crewed mission to Mars by approximately 7 tons. This technology will enable long-term human

May 4, 2020 Read Full Article

Professor’s Research on Creating Biofuel from Waste Published

(Guttman Community College) Assistant Professor of Science Dr. Jihyun Kim’s research on transforming brown grease into biodiesel fuel has been published in the Journal of Biochemical Engineering under the title “Biodiesel fuel production from brown grease produced by wastewater treatment plant: Optimization of acid catalyzed reaction conditions.” The groundbreaking research describes the process

May 1, 2020 Read Full Article

Harnessing Cellular Power to Meet Global Challenges

by Adam Hadhazy (Princeton University/Phys.Org) …More energy-dense and convenient for vehicle use than ethanol, the standard biofuel of today, isobutanol is unfortunately more toxic to yeast, which limits its production. In a study published in the journal Cell Systems, Avalos and his team revealed a fundamental mechanism of isobutanol’s toxic effect. They

April 30, 2020 Read Full Article

UMES Researchers Win Energy Innovation Research Funding

by Cindy Chambers (Salisbury Business Journal) Dr. Jurgen Schwarz, chair of the Department of Agriculture, Food, and Resource Sciences and Dr. Sadanand Dhekney, associate professor of plant breeding and biotechnology, are recipients of an Energy Innovation Seed Grant awarded by the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute. The institute, which is housed at

April 28, 2020 Read Full Article

Researchers Make Key Advance toward Production of Important Biofuel

(Oregon State University/Phys.Org) An international research collaboration has taken an important step toward the commercially viable manufacture of biobutanol, an alcohol whose strong potential as a fuel for gasoline-powered engines could pave the path away from fossil fuels. The key breakthrough is the development of a new metal organic framework, or MOF,

April 28, 2020 Read Full Article

Recycling Technologies’ First Site in Europe Will Be Located at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in the Netherlands

(Recycling Technologies) Recycling Technologies Ltd (‘Recycling Technologies’), a specialist plastic recycling technology provider and Brightlands Chemelot Campus, an innovation, research and technological growth hub announce today they have signed the first agreement towards the installation of Recycling Technologies’ first European plastic chemical recycling machine, the RT7000, within the Campus in the

April 24, 2020 Read Full Article

The Competitive Edge: Marine BioEnergy, Inc.

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … We can add capacity for energy by turning to the massive spaces in the open oceans to gather sunlight to grow abundant, competitive biomass for carbon-neutral fuels. For scale, we need 220,000 square kilometers to grow kelp to replace 10% of fossil liquid fuels used

April 24, 2020 Read Full Article

Don’t Look to Mature Forests to Soak Up Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Results of Australian Study May Have Impact on New York State Carbon Neutrality Goals

(Suny College of Environmental Science and Forestry) Research published today in Nature suggests mature forests are limited in their ability to absorb “extra” carbon as atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations increase. These findings may have implications for New York state’s carbon neutrality goals. Dr. John Drake, assistant professor in ESF’s Department of

April 23, 2020 Read Full Article

Yale-NUS College Scientists Find Bisulphates that Curb Efficacy of Diesel Engine Catalysts

(Yale/National University of Singapore College/EurekAlert!) A team of researchers from Yale-NUS College, in collaboration with scientists in Sweden, has found that bisulphate species in the exhaust stream are strongly connected to decreasing the effectiveness of exhaust remediation catalysts in diesel engines. Their findings pave the way for synthesising more sulphur-tolerant

April 23, 2020 Read Full Article

Researchers Model Spatial and Temporal Consequences of Increased Woody Biomass Use on the Global Forest Ecosystem

(University of Maine) Incentivizing both sequestration and avoidance of emissions— using a carbon rental or carbon tax and subsidy approach — versus only a carbon tax encourages protection of natural forests by valuing the standing stock, according to a new study led by Georgia Institute of Technology. In their study, the

April 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Oil Boom: ZeaKal Boosts Soybean Oil Output by 18%, Protein up 3%, No Drop in Yield

by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … ZeaKal, which announced that its multiyear field trials of its PhotoSeed technology – and their soybeans increased the per acre production of oil and protein by 18 percent and three percent respectively without any penalty to seed yield. It’s probably the only oil glut you

April 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Panda Poo, Ants and Slugs Could Be Key to the Green Fuel of Tomorrow

by Jesper Bruun (Aarhus University) A new research project at Aarhus University will exploit millions of years of evolution to develop sustainable biofuels. Among other things, the solution lies in the digestive system of pandas. — By imitating natural biological degradation processes, a team of researchers from the Department of Engineering

April 14, 2020 Read Full Article

From Weeds to Wealth – Researchers Discover Simple Method to Make Valuable Levulinic Acid and Cement Additive from Hemp Waste

by Noppadon Sathitsuksanoh (University of Louisville/Biofuels Diges) In Kentucky, Louisville scientists add value to solid wastes from the hemp product industry. Their research exploits a simple process that transforms the waste into levulinic acid, a valuable chemical and a cement additive for green concrete. … As society moves toward greater

April 14, 2020 Read Full Article

Coral-Inspired Biomaterials Could Lead to Highly Efficient Biofuel Production

(University of San Diego Scripps Institute of Oceanography) Biologists and engineers design 3D printed corals that could help energy production and coral reefs — Researchers at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego, and the University of Cambridge, U.K., have 3D printed coral-inspired

April 10, 2020 Read Full Article

The Latest Developments on Powering Our World with Grass, Twigs, and Other Green Waste

by Michael Timko (Worcester Polytechnic Institute/Biofuels Digest) … But, the food left on our plates is energy dense, rich in starches, lipids, and other components, all begging to be made into biofuels. After years of development, bioenergy costs remain too high to compete with petroleum on price alone. Can converting

April 10, 2020 Read Full Article

VTT to Assess Bio- and Waste-Based Oils Suitable for Power Plants and Ships

(VTT) In a three-year Business Finland BioFlex project, VTT and partners are exploring how suitable fuel oils made from biomass and waste plastics are for power plants and ship diesel engines. The aim is to determine the most ecologically and economically sustainable way to replace fossil fuels. … Internal-combustion engine

April 9, 2020 Read Full Article

Bioeconomy Showcase: Circular Economy Instead of Phosphorus Crisis

(University of Hohenheim (Google Translation)) German-Chinese Research Training Groups at the University of Hohenheim and the China Agricultural University in Beijing are looking for solutions for sustainable phosphorus use using the example of maize cultivation systems If it is not possible to use the resource phosphorus more sustainably, mankind is

April 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Water Splitting Advance Holds Promise for Affordable Renewable Energy

(Science Daily/Washington State University) A team has developed a less expensive water electrolysis system that works under alkaline conditions but still produces hydrogen at comparable rates to the currently used system that works under acidic conditions and requires precious metals. This advance brings down the cost of water splitting technology,

April 3, 2020 Read Full Article

Researchers Hope New Seed-Based Miscanthus Hybrid Can Be Used as Feedstock for Biochemicals

by Liz Gyekye (BioMarket Insights) “These seeded hybrids are vital to our future business model and the rapid deployment of miscanthus as part of the climate change solution.” — Researchers at the Institute of Biological, Environmental & Rural Sciences (IBERS) Aberystwyth University, with funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council

April 2, 2020 Read Full Article

‘Tequila’ Powered Biofuels More Efficient than Corn or Sugar: Ethanol from Agave Could Be Used for Biofuels and Hand Sanitiser

by Marcus Storm (University of Sydney) The plant better known for making tequila requires no irrigation and produces comparable or better yields of ethanol than sugar or corn. Economic analysis shows a first-generation crop will need government support to kickstart an industry, researchers say. The agave plant used to make

April 2, 2020 Read Full Article

Plastic-Eating Bacteria Could Be Small Step toward Tackling World’s Pollution Crisis

by Scottie Andrew (CNN) … Now scientists discovered a strain of bacteria, the first of its kind, that can degrade the harmful compounds in polyurethane products — a positive step toward reducing the amount of plastic pollution in the environment. The findings were published last week in the journal Frontiers in Microbiology. A

March 31, 2020 Read Full Article

The Algae Foundation — Looking Back and Moving Forward

by Ike Levine, Tiffany Cannis and Marissa Nalley (Algae Industry Magazine) In these turbulent times, when many educational programs are in limbo, we wondered what is happening to algae education? For a perspective, we asked leaders of the Algae Foundation how they are tracking the past and planning for the

March 30, 2020 Read Full Article

Clean Energy & Sustainability Extravaganza

by Pedro Malpartida* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Leaders in Energy hosted their sixth annual Clean Energy and Sustainability Extravaganza in the A. James Clarke Hall at the University of Maryland (UMD) along with the Association of Energy Engineers-National Capital Chapter (AEE NCC). At this event, companies, association members, and students showcased

March 26, 2020 Read Full Article

Pandas, Slugs and Ants Hint at Shortcut to Greener Biofuel

by Thin Lei Win (Thomson Reuters Foundation) … Scientists believe the animals’ unique ability to break down tough plant material, including bamboo, could provide clues to ramping up production of plant-based biofuels, one substitute for the fossil fuels that drive global warming. Researchers at Aarhus University, in Denmark, are searching

March 25, 2020 Read Full Article

Path Finder: Pfleger Lab Uses Bacteria to Convert Biomass into Sustainable Chemicals

by Jason Daley (University of Wisconsin – Madison) … In addition to transportation fuels, petroleum is refined into hundreds of petrochemicals used in everything from plastics and pharmaceuticals to carpets and fertilizers, and currently there are no easy ways to produce most of these chemicals without using oil. But Jay and

March 25, 2020 Read Full Article

IRFA Announces Partnership with Iowa State University BioBus

(Iowa Renewable Fuels Association) Many of the often-touted benefits of biodiesel – from cleaner air and reduced carbon emissions to high-paying jobs in rural communities – benefit the next generation beyond all others. In recognition of the important role students and young professionals will play in the future of the biodiesel

March 19, 2020 Read Full Article

Researchers Building Stronger, Greener Concrete with Biofuel Byproducts

(Kansas State University) Kansas State University civil engineers are developing the right mix to reduce concrete’s carbon footprint and make it stronger. Their innovative ingredient: biofuel byproducts. — “The idea is to use bioethanol production byproducts to produce a material to use in concrete as a partial replacement of cement,” said Feraidon

March 17, 2020 Read Full Article

Student Seeking Farmer Perspectives On AD

(BioCycle Magazine) Risa Lewis, an undergraduate in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources program at the University of Connecticut, has focused her senior thesis on on-farm anaerobic digestion in the Northeastern United States. A component of Lewis’ thesis is to conduct a survey titled “Farmer Perspectives & Investment

March 11, 2020 Read Full Article

University of Southern California Rolls out Waste Collection for Biofuels

(Biofuels International) The University of Southern California (USC) in the US has introduced compost collection bins at university-owned student housing, with collected waste to be used in the production of biofuels. Troy Hall and New North Residential College are the latest buildings to join the list, which already includes Marks

March 11, 2020 Read Full Article

ENGIE Invests in Hydrogen Technology Platform H2SITE

(ENGIE) ENGIE, through its corporate venture capital arm ENGIE New Ventures, announces its strategic investment in H2SITE. Headquartered in Bilbao, Spain, H2SITE is a spinoff created by Tecnalia research and technology center and Eindhoven University of Technology. It aims at commercializing a membrane reactor based system able to produce high purity

March 11, 2020 Read Full Article

Biomass Fuels Can Significantly Mitigate Global Warming

(American Associates/Ben-Gurion University of the Negev/EurekAlert!) Biomass fuels derived from various grasses could significantly mitigate global warming by reducing carbon, according to a long-term field study by researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) and Michigan State University (MSU). In a new paper published in Environmental Science and Technology, the

March 10, 2020 Read Full Article

Recovering Phosphorus from Corn Ethanol Production Can Help Reduce Groundwater Pollution

by Marianne Stein (Illinois Aces) Dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS), a co-product from corn ethanol processing, is commonly used as feed for cattle, swine and poultry. However, DDGS contains more phosphorus than the animals need. The excess ends up in manure and drains into the watershed, promoting algae production and

March 10, 2020 Read Full Article

New Catalyst Recycles Greenhouse Gases into Fuel and Hydrogen Gas

(Science Daily/The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)) Scientists have taken a major step toward a circular carbon economy by developing a long-lasting, economical catalyst that recycles greenhouse gases into ingredients that can be used in fuel, hydrogen gas, and other chemicals. The results could be revolutionary in

March 5, 2020 Read Full Article

FPT Industrial Is Investigating Plant-Based Biofuels

(Corporate Social Responsibility Newswire) FPT Industrial a global powertrain brand of CNH Industrial N.V. (NYSE: CNHI/ MI: CNH), invested in a production plan and tests dedicated to exploring macaúba biodiesel, with a view to developing a potential new source of sustainable fuel. Macaúba, a native palm tree to Brazil, the Caribbean and South Florida

March 5, 2020 Read Full Article

Ridgewater College Students Tour CVEC

(Minnesota Bio-Fuels Association) Thirty-four students from Ridgewater College in Wilmar toured Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) in Benson yesterday to learn about ethanol and dried distiller’s grains with solubles (DDGS) production. “The students were educated on the ethanol production process and its importance in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and boosting the

March 3, 2020 Read Full Article

New Ecological Process for Producing Cheaper Biofuel

(Institut national de la recherche scientifique/Phys.Org) Professors Rajeshwar Dayal Tyagi and Patrick Drogui, researchers at the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), have developed a new approach to biodiesel production that uses microbes, sewage sludge, and a biofuel byproduct. … Plants have been turning to microbial biodiesel, which can

March 3, 2020 Read Full Article

Scientists Examine the Effect of Palm-Oil Biodiesel on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

(AZO Cleantech) Despite the rising controversy over the sustainability of vegetable oil biofuels, these products are increasingly being utilized as a substitute for fossil fuels. — In a recent study headed by the University of Gottingen, scientists analyzed the impact of palm-oil biodiesel on greenhouse gas emissions for the whole life cycle. The scientists

March 3, 2020 Read Full Article

MSU Researchers Aim to Optimize Algae Biofuel Production

by Karly Graham (The State News) Michigan State researchers are testing algae hibernation to optimize the plant’s ability to be used for biofuel production. Using algae to produce biofuels is a question of economic feasibility, Tomomi Takeuchi, a research assistant in MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory said. Algae produce oil as a response to adverse

March 2, 2020 Read Full Article

A Novel Biofuel System for Hydrogen Production from Biomass

(Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology/Phys.Org) A novel technology has been developed for hydrogen production from the process, which involves electron that is produced during the decomposition of biomass such as waste wood. The result produced after biomass decomposition is a high value-added compound, and it is a two-stone technology

March 2, 2020 Read Full Article

KIST Develops Biofuel Production Process in Cooperation with North American Researchers

(Korea Institute of Science and Technology/EurekAlert!) Clean biofuel produced using genetic engineering and environmentally friendly solvents. International joint research by Korean, US, and Canadian research teams raises anticipation of the development of sustainable biofuel production technology — Biofuel is often touted as a clean fuel, but the fact that it is

March 2, 2020 Read Full Article

Decarbonizing Your Ride for a More Stable Climate: Scientists Measure the Climate Benefits of Alternatives to Petroleum Fuels

(National Science Foundation) Transportation produces a sizable amount of greenhouse gas emissions, largely by using petroleum to power internal combustion engines. Alternatives –- for example, organic materials such as grasses to produce fuels or electricity –- could avoid petroleum use altogether. Now, a team of scientists at the Great Lakes Bioenergy

February 28, 2020 Read Full Article

EQTEC to Upgrade Spanish Waste to Energy Facility for Biofuel Production

(Biofuels International) Waste gasification to energy company EQTEC has been awarded a contract for the upgrade of the existing syngas research and development facility at the University of Extremadura in Badajoz, Spain. The university was recently successful in a funding application to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support

February 27, 2020 Read Full Article

Chemistry Finding Could Make Solar Energy More Efficient

by Laura Arenschield (Ohio State News) Researchers have found a way to harness the entire spectrum of sunlight — Scientists for the first time have developed a single molecule that can absorb sunlight efficiently and also act as a catalyst to transform solar energy into hydrogen, a clean alternative to fuel

February 19, 2020 Read Full Article

OSU Receives $3.1 Million Research Grant to Improve Sorghum Data and Savings

(Oklahoma State University) Forage sorghum is being grown in Chickasha as part of the bio-energy research center work on using sorghum in the production of Cellulosic ethanol. Oklahoma received a $3.1 million grant to improve field-level data collection. — A recent $3.1 million grant awarded to Oklahoma State University to study

February 19, 2020 Read Full Article

Innovation and Strategic Orientations for the Development of Advanced Biorefineries

by Giuliano Dragone, Abraham A.J.Kerssemakers, Jasper L.S.P.Driessen, Celina K.Yamakawa, Larissa P.Brumano, Solange I.Mussatto (Bioresource Technology) Advanced biorefineries are seen as key to implement a sustainable biobased economy. • Total valorization of biomass can boost the industrial implementation of biorefineries. • Tailor-made enzymes may increase process performance, reducing loadings and costs.

February 18, 2020 Read Full Article

A Sustainable Wood Biorefinery for Low–Carbon Footprint Chemicals Production

by Yuhe Liao, Steven-Friso Koelewijn, Gil Van den Bossche, Joost Van Aelst, Sander Van den Bosch, Tom Renders, Kranti Navare, Thomas Nicolaï, Korneel Van Aelst, Maarten Maesen, Hironori Matsushima, Johan Thevelein, Karel Van Acker, Bert Lagrain, Danny Verboekend, Bert F. Sels (Science Magazine) Profitability and sustainability of future biorefineries are

February 18, 2020 Read Full Article

Biodiesel Research Unity Commissions 380L Biodiesel Processing Machine

(University of Botswana) The University of Botswana Biodiesel Research Unit in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET) has commissioned a biodiesel processing machine. The machine, designed to produce 380 liters of biodiesel per batch from different feedstock, was commissioned by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Green

February 13, 2020 Read Full Article

Online Biology MS Offered by University of Nebraska at Kearney

(Univeristy of Nebraska at Keaney) Get the same diploma as on campus students. The online Biology, MS program is designed for high school and middle school teachers, scientists, researchers and anyone who could benefit from advanced study in biology. The Biology, MS program offers: The ability for professionals to advance in

February 11, 2020 Read Full Article

EPA Partners with Nebraska Engineers on Biofuels Study

by Curt Arens (Nebraska Farmer) The program will evaluate the use of E30 in conventional vehicles in the state fleet, including State Patrol cars. OOKING AT BLEND: A Nebraska biofuels state fleet study partners UNL engineers with EPA to research the effects of using E30 ethanol-blended gasoline in non-flex fuel

February 11, 2020 Read Full Article

‘Reverse Fuel Cell’ Converts Waste Carbon to Valuable Products at Record Rates

(University of Toronto/EurekAlert!) Researchers develop enhanced device to transform CO2 into valuable chemicals 10 times faster than previous versions — Fuel cells turn chemicals into electricity. Now, a University of Toronto Engineering team has adapted technology from fuel cells to do the reverse: harness electricity to make valuable chemicals from waste

February 11, 2020 Read Full Article

How Exactly Cyanobacteria Convert CO2 So Efficiently

(Ruhr University Bochum (Google Translation)) A research team was able to reveal the secret of the bacteria. In the future it will be possible to look at them. — With the help of sunlight, photosynthetic organisms use carbon dioxide from the air to build up biomass. Cyanobacteria are particularly efficient because they

February 10, 2020 Read Full Article

A Protein Lulls Algae to ‘Sleep,’ and What That Means for Making Green Fuels

by Igor Houwat and Layne Cameron (Michigan State University) Algae have the potential to become a sustainable source of high value biofuels and oils. A big hurdle that holds us back from mass producing algae feedstocks is that they make more oil when stressed out, like during starvation. When stressed, algae

February 6, 2020 Read Full Article

Green Energy Researcher at U of L Wins Grant

by Matthew Keck (Louisville Cardinal) Joshua Spurgeon, a University of Louisville renewable energy researcher, won the National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER Award. Along with the award, he will receive a $500,000 grant from the NSF that will go towards research and education over the next five years. Spurgeon is theme leader

February 5, 2020 Read Full Article

Study Details How Auto Emissions Pose Human Health Problems Worldwide

by Keith Randal (Texas A&M University) Texas A&M researchers are part of a team that analyzed how auto exhaust in large cities, especially in China, is linked to air quality and health problems. — Tiny matter called “ultrafine particles” in the atmosphere are un-regulated, according to the World Health Organization, but a

February 5, 2020 Read Full Article

Could Bacteria Help Recycle Greenhouse Gases in the Future?

by Florence Schulz, translated by Daniel Eck (EURACTIV.de) Could bacteria assist in the recycling of greenhouse gases in the future instead of releasing them into the atmosphere? European researchers are working to reverse the metabolism of intestinal bacteria that feed on CO2 so that they form products that can be