by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Hydrogen is widely used throughout major industries such as petroleum and biofuels refining, ammonia production, and many other processes. When produced cleanly, hydrogen has the ability to help decarbonize these and other industries such as transportation and steelmaking. Accordingly, green hydrogen production has become a
University/College Programs
by Annina Schneider (EMPA) Synthetic energy carriers are carbon-neutral and make renewable energy transportable and storable in the long term. Synthetically produced methane is one of them. The problem: The production involves rather high energy losses; moreover, existing processes require the methane to be purified. To change this, Empa researchers

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Please join GW Law’s Environmental & Energy Law Program for a roundtable discussion for a thought-provoking off-the-record discussion about the challenges facing the hydrogen industry. In 2003, President George W. Bush set forth a $1.2 billion initiative in his State of the Union address with the goal that “the first car
by Scott Weybright (Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences) Washington State University scientists are working to more precisely understand how plants use nutrients from soil at the level of single cells, with the goal of helping crop plants used for biofuels be more sustainable. A team
by Emily Caldwell (Science Daily/Ohio State University) Scientists have taken the first step at estimating the best large-scale uses for food processing waste, first analyzing its contents and, based on those findings, proposing production opportunities ranging from sustainable fuels, biogas and electricity to useful chemicals and organic fertilizer. There is money
by Alexandra A. Taylor (Chemical & Engineering News) The 2023 session in Golden, Colorado, will mark 20 years since the program’s founding — The American Chemical Society Summer School on Green Chemistry & Sustainable Energy is open for applications. The weeklong program at the Colorado School of Mines brings together about
by Matt Davenport (MSU Today) By explaining a photosynthetic peculiarity in switchgrass, MSU researchers may have unlocked even more of the plant’s potential — Michigan State University researchers have solved a puzzle that could help switchgrass realize its full potential as a low-cost, sustainable biofuel crop and curb our dependence on
(University of Queensland) University of Queensland researchers have found a way to more efficiently convert sugarcane into a building block of aviation fuel and other products. By zeroing in on a specific enzyme, a UQ team working in collaboration with the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has sped up the slowest
(University of New Mexico) A project from The University of New Mexico has been selected for funding under a U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office interagency agreement with the Minority Serving Institution STEM Research & Development Consortium. Abhaya Datye, Distinguished Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, is leading the
(Louisiana State University College of Engineering) Last fall, LSU’s Craft & Hawkins Department of Petroleum Engineering became the first in the country to offer a formal concentration in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). While other institutions are also adding courses, tracks, or certificates related to this topic, Louisiana’s position at
by Tyler Irving (Tech Explore/University of Toronto) A new catalyst design created by researchers at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering could significantly improve the practicality of an electrochemical process that converts captured carbon dioxide into multi-carbon molecules—some of the key building blocks of the chemical
by Isaiah Richard (Tech Times) Diesel engines may find a new way to survive in a zero-emissions future. — Diesel engines may still get a chance to survive in the future because of the latest research and claims from the University of New South Wales. In their study, its team made
by Jacinta Bowler (Cosmos Magazine) Australian researchers have found a way to more effectively convert sugarcane into the building block of aviation fuel, and other products like rubber and plastics. Sugarcane (and its waste product) is one of the crops that has shown promise in being turned into ‘biofuel’, which could
(Cambridge Centre for Advanced Research and Education in Singapore/Phys.Org) Photosynthesis is the natural process of converting carbon dioxide (CO2) to useable chemical compounds. In contrast, carbon capture and utilization technologies through processes such as electrochemical CO2 reduction (eCO2R) are the man-made equivalents that could enable the chemical industry to convert its current
(Bnamericas/Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications of Chile) This is an automated translation of the press release issued in Spanish The Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications through the Civil Aeronautical Board ( JAC ) and in conjunction with the Energy Sustainability Agency of the Ministry of Energy , formalized the incorporation of the Catholic University of the
by Rebecca Ann Hughes (EuroNews.green) Scientists have developed a way of transforming plastic waste and greenhouse gases into sustainable fuels using solar power. The system, developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge, could address plastic pollution and become a “game-changer” in the development of a circular economy. A pioneering system
(EPFL) EPFL chemical engineers have invented a solar-powered artificial leaf, built on a novel electrode which is transparent and porous, capable of harvesting water from the air for conversion into hydrogen fuel. The semiconductor-based technology is scalable and easy to prepare. A device that can harvest water from the air
(The Daily Independent, Ashland, Ky./Yahoo!) Eleven Diesel Technology students completed a biodiesel training/information course with the Kentucky Soybean Board in November. Cody Fraley, Lucas Hammond, Bryan Reynolds, Hunter Vance, Carter Cole, Hunter Hay, Kenton Rose, Joshua Thayer, Rader Adkins, Stanley McCarty and Daniel Stewart are students in the first-year diesel engines
(Freeman Business) … Fluence Analytics is a Tulane University spin-out that specializes in continuous analytics and process control solutions for the polymer and biopharmaceutical industries. Ranked by CB Insights as one of the world’s most promising advanced manufacturing startups, the company recently began developing new ways to use its propriety technologies
(Okayama University/News Wise) Researchers from Okayama University have developed a novel mechanical compression method to squeeze maximum benefits from plant biomass — This process of compressing woody and herbaceous biomass generates pellets with good combustion performance and squeezed liquid extracts with water-soluble lignin that shows superior antiviral properties … However,
by Loukia Papadopoulos (Interesting Engineering) A new study is finding that pine needles from discarded Christmas trees could be used to produce renewable fuels and value-added chemicals using only water as a solvent, according to a press release by the University of Sheffield published on Thursday. In the U.K. alone, an estimated seven
(Russian Foundation for Basic Research/News Wise) RUDN University chemists have improved the catalyst for ethanol conversion. With it, a mixture of compounds with a high octane number was obtained. This was achieved thanks to a special substrate for the activated carbon catalyst. In the future, such developments will help to obtain
(The Meghalayan Bureau) The IIT Guwahati scientists have shown the efficacy of a new type of endoglucanase called RfGH5_4 in breaking down lignocellulosic and hemicellulosic biomass for the eventual conversion to bioethanol fuel. Researchers of Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have studied the efficacy of a specific bacterial endoglucanase
(Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research at UC Davis) Analysis by UC Davis researchers shows continued implementation of California’s incentive-based dairy methane reduction efforts should, by 2030, achieve the full 40% reduction goal. The California Dairy Research Foundation (CDRF) and University of California, Davis CLEAR Center today announced
(Nutrecon/NewsWires) Synbio Powerlabs Oy (“Synbio Powerlabs” or the “Company”), a leading Biotech company catalyzing the DNA-Economy by enabling the development of disruptive biotechnologies with precision fermentation, from lab-scale experiments to large scale pilot runs, is pleased to announce it has secured € 6.6 million funding for a unique biotechnology pilot plant
by Theresa Duque (Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) New technique could fast-track future carbon-free solar fuels — Berkeley Lab scientists have developed a nature-inspired technique for converting carbon dioxide into solar fuels. Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have demonstrated a new technique, modeled after a metabolic process found
(TAS News Service/The Arabian Stories) The fuel was made from date kernel oil by a research team at Sultan Qaboos University. — Oman’s National Transport Company — Mwasalat launched Green Bus powered by biofuel, considered to be the first in the Arab world. The fuel was made from date kernel oil
(University of Plymouth) A scientist from the University of Plymouth has played a key role in new research which has developed a powerful, low-cost method for recycling used cooking oil and agricultural waste into biodiesel, and turning food scraps and plastic rubbish into high-value products. The method, outlined in a
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In China, Phaeodactylum tricornutum is a commercially important species that is widely used in aquaculture. It also has the potential to be used as biofuel. However, contamination of algivorous microzooplankton has been one of the main constraints in P. tricornutum large-scale cultivation. Therefore, isolating a new strain with
(University of the South Pacific) A new accredited Biofuel Laboratory at The University of the South Pacific (USP) in Suva will boost Fiji and the region’s energy sector. The laboratory which is situated with the Institute of Applied Sciences at USP’s lower campus is fully operational, thanks to the strong partnership
by Kent Goeking (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) Biochar is the charcoal-like carbon product obtained when biomass is heated in an oxygen deficient environment, i.e. pyrolysis. Biochar is well known for its agriculture amendment value for increasing crop yields, and as a form of activated carbon in water filtration and toxin remediation
(U.S. Department of Energy) Lignin and cellulose are polymers—large molecules made up of repeating modules—that are situated in a tangled braid, along with some other polymers, within the plant cell wall. Lignin and cellulose are the two main polymers and are key to the protective strength of plant cell walls. The
(Vertimass) Vertimass, a company developing breakthrough technologies to expand the use of sustainable fuels, announced today it has established a new laboratory in the historic town of Enfield, New Hampshire to accelerate advancing its technology for conversion of ethanol, methanol, butanol, and other alcohols into sustainable aviation fuel. Vertimass is outfitting the 64
(Show Me Mizzou/University of Missouri) Using part of a $12.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, MU researchers are working with an interdisciplinary group to optimize green energy for aviation use. — While biodiesel and ethanol are two forms of biofuel used to power today’s cars and trucks,
by Matt Davenport (MSU Today) MSU earns $2M DOE grant to improve the oilseed yield of Camelina sativa, a common plant that could provide cleaner jet fuels and teach us about other important crops — Researchers at Michigan State University are working to clear the runway for a new source
(Worcester Polytechnic Institute) An interdisciplinary team of researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has developed a potential breakthrough in green aviation: a recipe for a net-zero fuel for planes that will pull carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the air. The research, which used sophisticated computational modeling and analysis, was recently published in
by Theresa Duque (Science Daily/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory) New technique could fast-track future carbon-free solar fuels — Scientists have demonstrated a new technique, modeled after a metabolic process found in some bacteria, to convert carbon dioxide into solar fuels through artificial photosynthesis. Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have
(Bioenergy Insight) University of Maine researchers have devised a roadmap to recruit more women into the forestry industry, and particularly the bioenergy sector. The team, led by Abigayl “Abby” Novak, a master’s student in forest resources at the BioEnergy Lab of the School of Forest Resources (SFR), found that attracting and
(Bioenergy Insight) Denmark’s first plant to produce hydrogen by catalytic pyrolysis of biogas is due to be ready in three years. The technology can convert carbon – captured via photosynthesis – into solid form and simultaneously produce hydrogen very energy-efficiently Carbon capture and storage are necessary if the world is
(Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways/ PIB Mumbai) We need to identify the commodities being imported in the country and then focus on developing Swadeshi alternatives for those: Union Road Transport and Highways Minister — “Prioritize research on forest-based industries, agriculture and rural technology, tribal sectors for upliftment of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In this project, researchers aim to establish a mechanistic pathway and characterize vs potential and pH, and demonstrate direct conversion of flue gas at high faradaic efficiency and current density. They also aim to demonstrate that the integrated flue gas feed with an optimized flow cell
(TEBO Group/Business Wire) New three-year collaboration will focus on building research capacity and developing solutions in sustainability engineering, smart cities and the circular economy. — TEBO Group of Industries, a global sustainable industrial developer, and The University of British Columbia (UBC) are embarking on an innovative research partnership aimed at driving
by Addy Hatch (Washington State University Insider) … WSU (Washington State University) researchers in eight programs among three colleges on two campuses are exploring energy sources, testing, supply-chain logistics and policy in the quest for sustainable air transportation. The university is a co‑leader with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology of
(WJBF) Green Energy Biofuel is spreading the word about helping the environment. The company was recently visited by a group from the University of South Carolina. “We had some students come down, take a tour of the plant, and show them what we do here, and how we recycle food wastes, and
(University of Manchester) An ambitious plan to sequence the genomes of all known species of euglenoids over the next decade has been launched today. The network of scientists behind the initiative believe it has the potential to drive breakthroughs ranging from new biofuels and sustainable foods to cancer medicines. The Euglena
by Louise Lerner (University of Chicago News) UChicago breakthrough creates methane fuel from sun, carbon dioxide and water — For the past two centuries, humans have relied on fossil fuels for concentrated energy; hundreds of millions of years of photosynthesis packed into a convenient, energy-dense substance. But that supply is
K-State Scientists Receive Collaborative Grant to Advance Biofuel Production and gricultural Economy
(Kansas State University) Kansas State University researchers are part of a five-year collaborative grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to improve oilseed crops for use as biofuels and other bioproducts. Timothy Durrett, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, and Ruth Welti, university distinguished professor of biology, received nearly $1.9 million to
(Osaka University/Phys.Org) You can’t move a pharmaceutical scientist from a lab to a kitchen and expect the same research output. Enzymes behave exactly the same: They are dependent upon a specific environment. But now, in a study recently published in ACS Synthetic Biology, researchers from Osaka University have imparted an analogous
by Tina Hilding (Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture/WSU Insider) A new method to treat sewage can efficiently convert leftover sludge to biogas, an advance that could help communities lower their waste treatment costs while helping the environment. Reporting in the journal, Waste Management, a Washington State University research team tested a pretreatment
by Lim Chang-won (Aju Business Daily) A state-run research body in South Korea has discovered a method to quickly cultivate a microalgal strain from cyanobacteria, known as blue-green algae, that can produce twice as much biofuel as other microorganisms due to rapid proliferation. The study opened the way for researchers
(Aston University) High quality biodiesel produced from microalgae ‘fed’ on leftover coffee grounds; Breakthrough in the microalgal cultivation system; Could decrease reliance on palm oil to produce biofuel. Two Aston University researchers have produced high-quality biodiesel after ‘feeding’ and growing microalgae on leftover coffee grounds. Dr Vesna Najdanovic, senior lecturer
(King Abdullah University of Science and Technology/Phys.Org) Seawater, which comprises more than 95% of the Earth’s water, could become a key resource in the sustainable production of clean hydrogen fuel with use of water-splitting catalysts developed by a KAUST-led team. Water splitting could offer an appealing way to carbon neutrality,

On November 8-9, 2022, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), and Tennessee Clean Fuels (TNCleanFuels) will hold the seventh annual Tennessee Sustainable Transportation Forum & Expo (STFE) at the University of Tennessee Knoxville Student Union in downtown Knoxville, TN. This year’s sessions will address topics such as alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies;
by Andrew Careaga (Missouri University of Science and Technology) The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently awarded a $2.05 million grant to a Missouri S&T researcher to study how different types of sustainable aviation fuels could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from airplanes. Dr. Philip Whitefield, Curators’ Distinguished Professor emeritus of chemistry
(University of Chicago News) … Their latest experiment mimics the structure of soil to create materials that can interact with their environment, with promise for electronics, medicine, and biofuel technology. It has multiple potential applications; preliminary tests have shown the material can boost the growth of microbes and may be able
(Biofuels International) TEBO Group of Industries and the University of British Columbia (UBC) have started a new research partnership aimed at driving highly sustainable and carbon-efficient construction and infrastructure technology. The collaboration will bring together TEBO engineers with researchers at UBC’s Vancouver and Okanagan campuses to explore and develop solutions
by Natalie Johnson (University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh/Biomass Magazine) Marked by a groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 17, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh launched a new effort with biogas partner Agra Energy to build Wisconsin’s first commercial facility to turn dairy farm waste into renewable biofuel. The $20 million facility, located at
by Casey Crownhart (MIT Technology Review) Genetic tools that have helped create resilient crops could boost carbon removal, too. — … In the session, I sat down with Pamela Ronald, a plant geneticist at the University of California, Davis. She’s been working for years on helping rice survive floods, and
by Maria Lameiras (UGA Today) Cutting-edge technologies will enable researchers to reengineer poplar trees to produce alternatives to petroleum-based products — A multidisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Georgia and two partner institutions have been awarded a $15.8 million grant over five years from the U.S. Department of Energy
(Office of Governor Pete Ricketts) Today, Governor Pete Ricketts announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved the continuation of groundbreaking research being done in Nebraska on E30 fuel. Results of the State’s initial pilot program, launched in 2019, showed that E30 is safe and reliable fuel for use
(University of Waterloo) New technology makes the process of turning CO2 into valuable chemicals economically viable for industrialization — New technology developed at the University of Waterloo could make a significant difference in the fight against climate change by affordably converting harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) into fuels and other valuable chemicals
(Circa) To advance and promote the development and commercialisation of renewable chemistry, sustainable biochemicals company Circa Group AS (stock symbol: CIRCA) has launched the Circa Renewable Chemistry Institute at the University of York’s Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE) in the UK. The Circa Renewable Chemistry Institute is a new industrial
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The objective of this project is to demonstrate the UK CO2 capture process at Nucor Steel Gallatin treating electric arc furnace evolved gas with a CO2 concentration of ~1.5 vol%.Kunlei Liu and Heather Nikolic of the University of Kentucky showed these slides at the National
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This Project aims to develop an initial engineering design (IED)and estimated cost for capture and compression of CO2 generated from an operational ethanol production facility. It’s a part of the search for CO2 capture, and Jason Laumb, Director of Advanced Energy Systems Initiatives at the University
by Anna Simet (Biodiesel Magazine) This week’s Biodiesel Magazine podcast features, Michael Timko, Professor of Chemical Engineering and Heather LeClerc, Ph.D. Candidate with Worcester Polytechnic Institute Interview. READ MORE/LISTEN Hydroxyapatite catalyzed hydrothermal liquefaction transforms food waste from an environmental liability to renewable fuel (iScience)
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences and the Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems at the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced the selection of six projects to conduct research and development that
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The objective of this project is to harness the power of photosynthetic microalgae to maintain a high-pH, high-alkalinity microalgal culture to create a carbon-negative system for carbon dioxide (CO2) conversion to value-added products from power plant flue gas. Feng Chen of the University of Maryland
(Turkish Airlines) Turkish Airlines continues its support for the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels which play a key role in reducing carbon emissions. Starting to actively use Sustainable Aviation Fuel during its operations as of 2022, Turkish Airlines emphasized the importance of the matter for the company by signing Global
(Federal Aviation Administration) The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued more than $16 million in grants to 14 universities across the country for research to reduce aviation emissions and noise. The university teams are members of the Aviation Sustainability Center (ASCENT), part of the FAA’s Air Transportation Center
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) What can you actually make from CO2 that’s valuable, and more permanent? The goal of this project is to develop technology to convert CO2 to valuable products to partially offset carbon capture costs from the utility and industrial sectors. Also, to contribute to the production of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Cellulosic bioenergy crop production is a nascent industry in the U.S. and has the potential to supply up to 5% of U.S. energy demand while achieving increased carbon reduction. The Southeast U.S. is ideally suited for a cellulosic industry due to plentiful land, ample rainfall,
by Eric Ng (South China Morning Post) Sewage sludge used as feedstock to make methanol cuts down carbon emissions by a quarter compared to coal as the raw material, Polytechnic University professor Ren Jingzheng says; If all 1,200 tonnes of sludge generated in Hong Kong every day is converted to
by Kimbra Cutlip (University of Maryland/Maryland Today) A University of Maryland researcher was awarded $2.6 million by the U.S. Department of Energy to investigate the genetics underlying how poplar trees sense nutrients and regulate their metabolism—information that could help farmers maximize yields of this and other plants used in biofuel
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The goal of this project is to develop productive, cost-effective and sustainable warm-season perennial bioenergy feedstock production systems on marginal croplands across geographic locations in the Midwest. The University of Illinois (at Champaign-Urbana)’s D. K. Lee leads the team of researchers. READ MORE
by Sam Jones (North Carolina State University CALS News) Researchers will create sustainable aviation fuel and graphite from a blend of wood waste and seaweed. — A team of researchers in NC State’s College of Natural Resources and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has been awarded a $2.25 million grant funded by the Department
(São Paulo Research Foundation/SciTech Daily) A team of researchers has successfully converted methane into methanol using light and scattered transition metals such as copper in a process known as photo-oxidation. The reaction was the best achieved to date for converting methane gas into liquid fuel at ambient temperature and pressure (25
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Harvesting and transportation makes up 40 –60% of the delivered cost of SRWC and are an important source of GHG emissions. Harvesting systems are not well developed — throughput decreases up to 65% from harvester to short term storage. Changes in biomass quality and impacts
(Chinese Academy of Sciences) A research team led by Profs. CHEN Wei and WEI Wei from the Shanghai Advanced Research Institute (SARI) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences reported a novel method that enables efficient CO2 electroreduction to CO by virtue of low-coordination chloride ion adsorption on a silver hollow fiber electrode. The results were
by Jeannie Kever (University of Houston) Researchers Discover a Single Catalyst Capable of Splitting Both Freshwater and Seawater at Low Voltage — Hydrogen has drawn attention in recent years as a potential source of clean energy because it burns without producing climate-damaging emissions. However, traditional hydrogen production methods have a substantial
(Center of Expertise Biobased Economy (Google Translation)) Avans University of Applied Sciences has received permission from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) for the funding of the master Material & Energy Transition. This new master focuses on the theme of sustainability from a technical perspective. It is the
(Circa) To advance and promote the development and commercialisation of renewable chemistry, sustainable biochemicals company Circa Group AS (stock symbol: CIRCA) has launched the Circa Renewable Chemistry Institute at the University of York’s Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence (GCCE) in the UK. The Circa Renewable Chemistry Institute is a new industrial
Biologists Unveil Clues to Evolutionary Origins of Brown-Colored Algae for Health, Biofuels Research
by Anne Manning (Colorado State University/Science Direct) Biologists have unveiled foundational new insights into the evolutionary steps these algae took to make their novel brown pigments, which are called fucoxanthin. — But the majority of these diverse aquatic organisms that exchange sunlight for energy are brown-colored, like the large forests of
by Brandie Jefferson (Washington University in St. Louis) The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a $2.3 million grant to a team led by Zhen (Jason) He, a professor of energy, environmental and chemical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis’ McKelvey School of Engineering. The project, which also includes researchers from
(TotalEnergies/Business Wire) During his trip to Denmark, Patrick Pouyanné signed an agreement with the President of the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) concerning the creation of the DTU-TotalEnergies Excellence Center of Clean Energy. This advanced research center will focus on developing reliable, profitable, low-emission energy solutions that will reduce the intermittence
by Tiffany Lee (University of Nebraska) A University of Nebraska–Lincoln researcher is leading a team working to unlock the full potential of two oilseeds that may help meet the escalating demand for renewable fuels, industrial chemicals and other bioproducts. The team will produce genetically enhanced oilseeds, establish the “rules” of oilseeds’
(Office of Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)) Today (September 13, 2022), U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced that the Department of Energy has awarded a $2.5 million grant to The Ohio State University (OSU) for research on the creation of new biofuel energy to help decarbonize multiple sectors. “Biofuel energy research and
by Marcus Traxler (Mitchell Republic) Iowa Corn, the advocacy organization for Iowa corn growers, is leading a drive to raise funds to continue advancing technology in order to help get direct-ethanol fuel cells, or DEFC, to the point where they can realistically use corn products to turn from ethanol to
(Worcester Polytechnic Institute/Business Wire) With gas prices soaring and food costs pinching family budgets, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at WPI is looking at ways to use food waste to make a renewable and more affordable fuel replacement for oil-based diesel. The work, led by Chemical Engineering Professor Michael Timko, is detailed in
(Electric Energy Online) Project would build upon prior research to blend electrolytic hydrogen into existing pipelines — Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and the University of California, Irvine (UCI) today (Sept 9) announced a proposed collaboration to demonstrate how electrolytic hydrogen can be safely blended into existing natural gas infrastructure on the university’s
by David Nield (Science Alert) … In the new research, scientists describe a relatively simple method involving aluminum nanoparticles that are able to strip the oxygen from water molecules and leave hydrogen gas. The process yields large amounts of hydrogen, and it all works at room temperature. That removes one of
(Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences) High-efficiency utilization of CO2 facilitates the reduction of CO2 concentration in the global atmosphere and hence the alleviation of the greenhouse effect. The chemical utilization of CO2, which refers to converting CO2 into value-added chemicals and liquid fuels, has a distinct and direct CO2 emission reduction effect,
(Osaka Metropolitan University) Technology sequesters CO2 emissions In plants, natural photosynthesis binds carbon dioxide (CO2) to organic compounds, which can then be converted into glucose or starch. These useful molecules can be sequestered, storing the carbon in a solid form. Artificial photosynthesis mimics this process by reducing the greenhouse gas CO2—the main
by Ayesha Hameed,Salman Raza Naqvi, Umair Sikandar and Wei-Hsin Chen (MDPI Special Issue Catalysts for Biofuel and Bioenergy Production) In recent years, the scope for replacing fossil fuels has been appealing to the world, owing to limited conventional fuels, crude oil price volatility, and greenhouse gas emission concerns. In this
(Coca-Cola Europacific Partners) CCEP Ventures to partner with Peidong Yang Research Group to develop scalable methods of converting captured air (CO2) into sugar; Technology could reduce some of the largest CO₂ contributors in supply chains, while saving material, transportation and logistics costs; Development of lab scale prototypes could mean in
by Jack Levy (Worcester Polytechnic Institute/ Phys.Org) … To make the fuel, the researchers employed a process called hydrothermal liquefaction, which uses heat and water to break down the food waste into a liquid. It’s a method that has been used widely in converting other materials into biofuel, including algae. However,
by Karin Wik and Susanne Nilsson Lindh (Chalmers University of Technology/Phys.Org) Drug molecules and biofuels can be made to order by living cell factories, where biological enzymes do the job. Now, researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a computer model that can predict how fast enzymes work, making
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) and the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management’s (FECM’s) Carbon Utilization Program announced the selection of seven projects totaling $16.5 million in federal funding. This investment will advance technologies that utilize waste carbon to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and
( U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded $29.5 million to 15 projects to improve the current science and infrastructure for utilizing waste streams, often disproportionately located in underserved communities, and support the development of improved organisms and inorganic catalysts for the production of valuable biofuels and bioproducts
by Sarah Collins (University of Cambridge) Researchers have developed floating ‘artificial leaves’ that generate clean fuels from sunlight and water, and could eventually operate on a large scale at sea. The researchers, from the University of Cambridge, designed ultra-thin, flexible devices, which take their inspiration from photosynthesis – the process by
(Cranfield University) Funding for researchers at Cranfield University to look at new ways to generate hydrogen energy from biomass has been announced by the Government. The technology would allow biomass – organic products such as wood, grasses or used brewery hops – to be used to generate hydrogen while capturing CO2 emissions
( The National University of Science and Technology MISIS/Tech Xplore) An effective industrial catalyst for the faster production of biofuels at low temperatures has been synthesized by an international scientific team with the participation of scientists from MISIS University. The results of the work have been published in the Asian Journal
(U.S. Department of Energy) Industry and Universities Will Work to Reduce the Cost of Clean Hydrogen to Deliver Cheap Electricity; New $32 Million Funding Opportunity will Support Clean Hydrogen Technologies — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the award of $28.9 million to 15 industry- and university-led projects and
by JimLane (Biofuels Digest) From Washington comes news that the U.S. Department of Energy will make more than $540 million in awards for university- and National Laboratory-led research into clean energy technologies and low-carbon manufacturing. The goals Earlier this year, the DOE SC program in Basic Energy Sciences (BES) announced its
by Reginald Davey (AZO Materials) A new paper appearing in the journal Environmental Research has explored the production of biodiesel from palm kernel shells, an agricultural waste stream. Scientists from Malaysia, Brunei, and Oman have contributed to the research. … … Palm oil is a widely used product in the
by Badr Ouhammou, Aggour Mohammed, Smouh Sliman, Abdelmajid Jamil, Bakraoui Mohammed, Fadoua Karouach, Hassan El Bari, Tarik Kousksou (Case Studies in Thermal Engineering) Solar biogas system production offers the possibility to simultaneously produce heat, electricity and to treat waste products as well as to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial sector.
by Y.El Gnaoui, A.Frimane, N.Lahboubi, C.Herrmann, M.Barz, H.EL Bari (Cleaner Waste Systems) • Biological prehydrolysis and thermal treatment were used to improve anaerobic digestion. • The higher methane yield was reached at BPH 37 °C for 20 h followed 55 °C for 20 h. • Statistical study allowed us four essential variables to modeling methane yield.
by Hamza Ourradi, Nabila Lahboubi, Sanae Habchi, Hafida Hanine, Hassan El bari (Cleaner Waste Systems) • Date seeds cake are promising organic waste to use for methane as clean and renewable energy by anaerobic digestion. • The biogas production from date seeds cake seems to be a suitable way to close the
Effect of Alkali-NaOH Pretreatment on Methane Production from Anaerobic Digestion of Date Palm Waste
by Nabila Lahboubi, Fadoua Karouach, Mohammed Bakraoui, Yasser El Gnaoui, Azzouz Essamri, Hassan El Bari (Ecological Engineering and Environmental Technology) Anaerobic digestion of the date palm empty fruit bunch is a promising technology for both solid waste management and biogas production. The date palm empty fruit bunch is a lignocellulosic
by Habchi Sanae, Lahboubi Nabila, Karouach Fadoua, Naim Ikram, Lahlou Yahya, Bakraoui Mohammed, Sallek Brahim, El Bari Hassan (Ecological Engineering and Environmental Technology) This paper investigates the influence of thermal pretreatment on kinetic parameters based on four kinetic models: Modified Gompertz, transference and logistic functions and first order equation. The
by Joute, Y., El Bari, H., Belhadj, S., Karouach, F., Gradi, Y., Stelte, W., Bjerre, A. (Applied Ecology and Environmental Research) Anaerobic co-digestion of cow manure (CM) and banana waste (BW) was investigated. The experiments have been carried out and were tested for different mixture ratios of CM:BW in terms
by Y. ElGnaoui, F.Karouach, M.Bakraoui, M.BarzbH. ElBari (Science Direct/Energy Reports) The treatment of food waste (FW) is an important challenge in developed and undeveloped countries due to the rapid disintegration of this waste. Hence biogas technology is used to produce energy and to reduce the volume of waste. This technology has disadvantages
by Fadoua Karouach, Mohammed Bakraoui, Yasser El (Science Direct/Energy Reports) Methanization is a technology that involves complex biological reactions and it is the subject of several scientific studies. The paper aims to evaluate the effect of the combined mechanical and ultrasonic pretreatment (CMUP) on the anaerobic digestion (AD) of the
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest)… Some years ago, the RIPE team went down the rabbit hole of transforming photosynthesis,”harnessing the sun to help the feed the world,” on the noble theory that if plants are more efficient, we’ll have more food, fiber, fuel, and what have you. I’ve stood on
by Reginald Davey (AZO Materials) Research into utilizing waste products has benefited several industries in recent years, improving their sustainability. Writing in the journal Energies, a team of scientists from Armenia and Poland has investigated the use of waste coffee and alcohol products to produce biofuels. … Biogas and biohydrogen have
Fatima Zahrae Zouhair, Mohammed Rachid Kabbour, Fatima Ebich, Aouatif Benali, El hajel Maadoudi, Awad A. Alrashdi, Mohammed Bouksaim, Hassane Lgaz, Azzouz Essamri (Journal of Molecular Liquids) PVA membranes were used for argane pulp bioethanol dehydration by PV. • MD and GCMC simulations were used to understand swelling mechanism of PVA membranes.
by Fatima Ebich, Rachida Hassikou, Hassan El Bari, Azzouz Essamri, Rajaa Layachi (Journal of Chemical Health Risks) Banana peel is a concentrated source of putrid organic waste; this waste is considered as a source of the energy produced by the process of anaerobic digestion. The objective of this study is
(South Ural State University/TechXplore) Scientists from Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt have proposed the most effective mathematical model of the biodiesel production process at the moment. The simulation of the biodiesel production process from soybean oil and methanol was performed using machine learning. The study was published
by Robert Sanders (Berkeley News) … Using an inexpensive polymer called melamine — the main component of Formica — chemists have created a cheap, easy and energy-efficient way to capture carbon dioxide from smokestacks, a key goal for the United States and other nations as they seek to reduce greenhouse gas
by Leander C. Domingo (Manila Times) Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) and Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) will jointly promote sustainable bioenergy research and development (R&D) by pooling resources and expertise in leveling up bioethanol production. To achieve that, a memorandum of agreement was signed between the Batac City, Ilocos Norte-based MMSU
(The Hindu) Khalifa Said H. Eldeihy worked on residual food items such as soybean cooking oil waste and leaves of radish and sweet potato — Leaves of radish and sweet potato are potent sources for producing low-cost biodiesel from waste cooking oil, an Egyptian scholar and his associates at central
(Boeing/Biobased Diesel Daily) At the Farnborough International Airshow in July, Boeing became the founding member of the University of Sheffield’s Energy Innovation Centre, leading the way for the company to help develop and bring SAF to the market. The EIC includes the Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre, a first-of-its-kind facility in
(ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology (CoESB)/Phys.Org) A completely new-to-nature yeast chromosome has been developed, paving the way for engineered yeast to be applied to an array of industrial applications. Scientists from the ARC Center of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University and the Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI)
(IMDEA Energy Institute) Developing solar technologies for producing carbon-neutral aviation fuels has become a global energy challenge, but their readiness level has largely been limited to laboratory-scale studies. Here we report on the experimental demonstration of a fully-integrated thermochemical production chain from H2O and CO2 to kerosene using concentrated solar
(University of Botswana/The Voice) A research by the Faculty of Engineering at University of Botswana has produced a blended biodiesel that is said to be much cheaper and is also compatible with light and heavy duty vehicle engines. WATCH VIDEO
by Linnea Ahlgren (Simple Flying) A five-year research program will use chemical kinetics simulation software from Ansys to see how the gas would behave powering an aircraft. — While biofuels, Power-to-Liquids, and hydrogen have long been touted as the alternative fuels of the future, researchers are becoming increasingly convinced that
(Cranfield University) Multi-million-pound investment needed in technologies such as direct air capture; Some airports could become green energy ‘power stations’ to fuel the aircraft they serve; Carbon capture technology should be integrated alongside other transport policies as part of Government’s Net Zero 2050 roadmap Multi-million-pound investment is urgently needed in technologies including direct
(Chung-Ang University) The new catalyst improves the efficiency of hydrogen production from water splitting without incurring high costs — Hydrogen, a clean fuel, can be produced sustainably by electrocatalytic water splitting, a process where the water molecule is split into oxygen and hydrogen gas using electricity. However, the need for expensive and
(Morgan State University) Funding will Support Launchpad for Businesses and Startups Using Research Conducted at MSU PEARL Laboratory — Morgan State University’s School of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences (SCMNS) received a one-year $100,000 Phase I grant from the Maryland Energy Innovation Institute (MEI2) to support ongoing biofuel and renewable resource
by Struan Coleman , Tobias Dewhurst, David W. Fredriksson, Adam T. St. Gelais, Kelly L. Cole, Michael MacNicoll, Eric Laufer, and Damian C. Brady (School of Marine Sciences, University of Maine) To keep global surface warming below 1.5 °C by 2100, the portfolio of cost-effective CDR technologies must expand. To
by Paul Boisvert (Oak Ridge National Laboratory) An international team of researchers, led by scientists at the University of Manchester, has developed a fast and economical method of converting methane, or natural gas, into liquid methanol at ambient temperature and pressure. The method takes place under continuous flow over a
(Goethe University) A team of microbiologists from Goethe University Frankfurt has succeeded in using bacteria for the controlled storage and release of hydrogen. This is an important step in the search for carbon-neutral energy sources in the interest of climate protection. The corresponding paper has now been published in the
(Michigan News) Producing synthesis gas, a precursor of a variety of fuels and chemicals, no longer requires natural gas, coal or biomass — Solar-powered synthesis gas could recycle carbon dioxide into fuels and useful chemicals, an international team of researchers has shown. Study abstract: “If we can generate syngas from
(Flinders University/Phys.Org) To save the world’s fish stocks and oceans, scientists are racing to find better and sustainable ways to make healthy nutritional products such as Omega-3 fatty acids, biodiesel, aquaculture and livestock food from fast-growing microalgae. New research at Flinders University has discovered a simple, low-cost and effective way to
(AgriLife Today) Collaboration will utilize peanuts to potentially develop feedstock for lower-carbon fuel production — Peanut oil powered the world’s first diesel engine when it was premiered by Rudolf Diesel at the World Exposition in Paris in 1900. Now, a collaboration between Chevron and Texas A&M AgriLife is reviving the use of
by Madeleine Stone (National Geographic) Using CRISPR genome editing on a few common crops, a team of plant and soil scientists seeks to vastly increase and speed up carbon storage to help fight climate change. — … we will also need to pull carbon out of the air and secure it. Plants are
(Pacific Northwest National Laboratory/Ethanol Producer Magazine) A new artificial enzyme has shown it can chew through lignin, the tough polymer that helps woody plants hold their shape. Lignin also stores tremendous potential for renewable energy and materials. Reporting in the journal Nature Communications, a team of researchers from Washington State University
by Jason Calvi (FOX 6 Milwaukee) … Inside University of Wisconsin-Madison labs, there is a possible breakthrough, something for which UW is seeking a patent. … “It’s got to be a reality. It’s the only option we have. Because we know some day we’re going to run out of oil,” said
(Advanced Biofuel Solutions) Advanced Biofuel Solutions Ltd (ABSL) has been awarded a £4.8m grant from the Direct Air Capture and Greenhouse Gas Removal Innovation Programme, Phase 2 of the competition launched by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) which provides funding from the Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP). The
(Biofuels International) A major new research centre that will help test, certify and deploy new sustainable aviation fuels – the first of its kind in the UK – has reached a key milestone in its construction. The Sustainable Aviation Fuels Innovation Centre (SAF-IC), part of the University of Sheffield Energy
by Talia Ogliore (Washington University in St. Louis/Phys.Org) Camelina, also known as false flax or Gold-of-Pleasure, is an ancient oilseed crop with emerging applications in the production of sustainable, low-input biofuels. Multidisciplinary research from Washington University in St. Louis is revealing the origins and uses of camelina and may help guide decisions critical
by Zhiyuan Fan, Hadia Sheerazi, Amar Bhardwaj, Anne-Sophie Corbeau, Kathryn Longobardi, Dr. Calib M. Woodall, Mahak Agrawal, Dr. Juio Friedmann, Adalberto Castaneda, Ann-Kathrin Merz and Sebastian Orozco-Sanchez (Columbia/SIPA Center on Global Energy Policy) … Hydrogen has been identified as a potential safety issue based on the fact that it is the
by Kristen Mally Dean (Argonne National Laboratory) Decarbonizing agriculture is critical for the U.S. to reach net zero emissions by 2050. A new data-driven approach looks at practices that are good for the earth and profitable for farmers. — The world relies on American farmers to do much more than
by Ulrika Bergström (Swedish Research Council/Phys.Org) Microalgae can recover greenhouse gases and nutrients from industrial waste. This technology can be used to reduce climate footprint and eutrophication. Lina Mattsson’s dissertation in ecology shows that microalgae can also be used in the Nordic climate, which has previously been considered a challenge as
(VTT) Power-to-liquids technologies are on their way to commercialisation in scale and production of synthetic e-fuels is no longer science fiction. E-fuels offer a way to expand the carbon-neutral transport fuel pool beyond biomass-based renewable fuels to replace fossil fuels in existing internal combustion engines. The end product is a
(Biofuels International) Kvasir Technologies – a Danish technology company developing a process to produce climate friendly fuel for the shipping industry – has secured €2.5 million in support from the EU programme EIC accelerator. Kvasir Technologies is a spin-off company from the Technical University of Denmark, where the process was
(Purdue Northwest) The Purdue Research Foundation recently completed a licensing agreement with an international energy company for the commercialization of a new process discovered at Purdue University Northwest (PNW) for the biological production of hydrogen from food waste. A second licensing agreement with a company in Indiana is under negotiation. This
(Bioenergy Insight) Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Microengineering and Microsystems IMM have now found a way to convert waste methane from biogas plants into additional methane, thus drastically increasing the methane yield from biogas plants. The process is up and running and the research team is currently scaling up
by Scott Marion (Edwardsville Intelligencer) Nearly 20 years after it opened, the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville continues to make an impact on a national and worldwide level. The NCERC at SIUE is a nationally recognized research center dedicated to the development and commercialization of biofuels,