(Phys.Org/University of Bristol) Chemists at the University of Bristol have made the first steps towards making sustainable petrol using beer as a key ingredient. ... Scientists from the University of Bristol's School of Chemistry have been working for several years to develop technology that will
by Anne Ju (Cornell Chronicle) A Cornell research team has received a $910,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to work toward revolutionizing how biofuels are produced from algae. David Erickson, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and Largus Angenent,
(Phys.Org/Kanazawa University) Compared to first-generation biofuels produced from food crops, production of second-generation biofuels for daily use is an urgent issue. In this study, researchers developed a novel carboxylate-type liquid zwitterion as a solvent of biomass, which could dissolve cellulose with
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... When it comes to fungi, their ability to break even the most recalcitrant of hardwoods down is well-documented and anyone who has spent a day in a rainforest knows it. But there’s rot and there’s
by Sarah Loftus (Nanowerk News/Duke University) ... Although biofuels made from algae provide numerous environmental benefits, they will not win market share until they can compete economically with cheap fossil fuels. Algae require tremendous volumes of water to grow, and reusing that
by Mark R. Edwards (Algae Industry Magazine) t the recent Algae Biomass Summit in Salt Lake City Algae Foundation President Ira Levine shared this year’s advancements in algal-based education for K-14 and beyond. The past year has been an eventful year
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Now, Fuzhong Zhang, associate professor at the School of Engineering & Applied Science updated the Digest this week and noted that “We designed and then constructed a synthetic metabolic pathway inside the fast-growing E.coli by
(University of Hohenheim) Until now, acreage was designated for either photovoltaics or photosynthesis, that is, to generate electricity or grow crops. An agrophotovoltaics (APV) pilot project near Lake Constance, however, has now demonstrated that both uses are compatible. Dual use of
by Erika Ebsworth-Goold (Washington University in St. Louis/The Source) An engineering team at Washington University in St. Louis is using e. coli to manufacture biofuel. New research from the lab further refines the process. ... Scientists have previously engineered metabolic pathways of microbes,
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In the Netherlands, a team of scientists charted greenhouse gas emissions resulting from biofuel production, presenting them as global maps. Dedicated crops grown on grasslands, savannahs and abandoned agricultural lands could provide around 30 exajoules per year (i.e.
(University of Kentucky) The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (UK CAER) and other community partners will once again be taking a Thanksgiving leftover and giving it new life as a renewable fuel. Fayette County’s annual Gobble Grease Toss will
(Associated Press/U.S. News and World Report) Researchers in Kansas and China are using mathematical modeling to improve the process of converting wheat straw into pellets for the production of ethanol. Wheat straw, the plant residue left after wheat harvest, is abundant in
(EurekAlert!/University of Minnesota) Study finds that emission rates are 30 percent higher than previously predicted -- New findings by researchers from the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS), who partnered with scientists from across the world,
by Michelle Ma (Phys.Org/University of Washington) In the quest to produce affordable biofuels, poplar trees are one of the Pacific Northwest's best bets—the trees are abundant, fast-growing, adaptable to many terrains and their wood can be transformed into substances used in
by Daniel Bardsley (The National) Oil extracted from the date pits of Khalas dates can be converted to biodiesel with an efficiency of about 90 per cent -- ... For example, scientists at UAE University in Al Ain, the Masdar Institute in Abu
by Natasha Kassulke (University of Wisconsin-Madison) When Jim Steele thinks back over the last seven years, from the early research on biofuels, followed by a dream of moving Lactic Solutions LLC technology to the marketplace, and now the acquisition of the
by Josephine Marcotty (Star Tribune) Newly plowed land in Minnesota released 1.6 million metric tons of carbon into the atmosphere each year between 2008 and 2012, a consequence of high corn prices and the ethanol mandate. Only the Dakotas, Texas and Missouri
(Skoltech) ... Scientists from Skoltech and the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Joint Institute for High Temperatures have proposed converting food waste into biofuel via hydrothermal liquefaction – a thermal depolymerization process used to turn wet biomass into oil. ... The question of how
by J.D. Warren (UCR Today) Relatively cheap "biomass" has been a poor option due to its production cost -- UC Riverside researchers have developed a streamlined process that could finally make the ethanol production cost from abundant “second generation” plant wastes competitive
by Christian Ong (Cornell Daily Sun) ... Using metabolic engineering, Prof. David Stern, plant biology, managed to transfer the metabolic pathway of Botryococcus, a species of algae that produces large quantities of usable oil, into another species of algae that has a
( VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Micro-organisms found in the wildfire-prone dry tropical forests of India are an exciting prospect for biochemical production, as they are accustomed to the challenging conditions following a forest fire. The enzymes they
by Portia Mlilo (The Voice) Despite a recent setback, Mogotsi Samotongwa is determined not to give up on his dream. The Botho University accountancy student wants to produce biodiesel from animal fat and vegetable oil. His idea saw him selected as a top
(Planet Forward) Grand Prize: A storytelling trip to Alaska with Lindblad Expeditions! In every corner of the planet, amazing people are working hard to figure out solutions to the environment’s biggest challenges. But if no one hears the stories, progress will
(UrekAlert!/University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture) Alternative jet fuels could grow opportunities in the southeast -- Researchers from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) have received a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to begin a three-year project to perform
by Lisa Gibson (Ethanol Producer Magazine) A massive expansion of land use for sugar cane growth in Brazil, and a subsequent increase in ethanol production with the feedstock could reduce global carbon dioxide emissions in the transportation sector by up to
by Nikhil Chaudhary, Ankit Gupta, Sudheer Gupta, Vineet K. Sharma (Peer J) In light of the rapid decrease in fossils fuel reserves and an increasing demand for energy, novel methods are required to explore alternative biofuel production processes to alleviate these
by Ali Sundermier and Evan Lerner (Penn News) ... The lustrous cells on the surface of the clam scatter bright sunlight, which typically runs the risk of causing fatal damage to the cell, but the clams efficiently convert the sunlight into fuel.
by Hemali Chhapia (Times of India) Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee have come up with a new, low-cost method for production of biofuels. The collaborative research team led by Dr Richa Katiyar, Centre for Transportation Systems, Indian Institute
by Anna Hirtenstein (Bloomberg) Oil major unlikely to commercialize projects in next decade; Company is focusing on basic research in laboratories -- One of the world’s biggest oil companies is pumping more than $1 billion a year into alternative forms of energy from
(Biofuels International) US scientists have developed a new technique to accelerate the production of renewable jet fuel from corn cobs and wood chips. ... Alternative jet fuels are increasingly seen as a means to reduce the environmental impact of jet fuel, and scientists from
(The Hindu) Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) on Saturday signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Algoma Algal Biotechnology (AABT), a limited liability company (LLC) started through the research work at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (UWO) in the US, for mutual transfer of
(Hood College) Hood College is pleased to announce an exciting new opportunity, funded in part by the Maryland E-Nnovation Initiative Fund (MEIF), administered by the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Hodson Foundation. The Department of Biology is seeking to
(Fox47News/MSU Today) Michigan State University scientists are proposing a new way to economically produce biodegradable plastics with sunlight and help from an ancient microorganism. The team, led by Taylor Weiss, a postdoctoral researcher in the Ducat MSU-Department of Energy Plant Research Laboratory labat the MSU-Department of
(Science Daily/University of Borås) ... Ramkumar Nair tells us that these research and pilots project where waste is used are called the second generation ethanol processes, whereas the current industrial production is called the first generation ethanol process. Ramkumar has now
by Siddharth Vodnala (Washington State University News) Researchers from Washington State University, along with those from Oregon State University and the University of Montana, have recently devised refined methods to estimate the amount of forest residue — the leftovers from trees
by Igor Houwat, Taylor Weiss (Michigan State University) ... “But this pair has complementary strengths: the cyanos are constantly producing sugar, and the bacteria are constantly beefing up on it, which encourages the cyanos to keep producing.” Looking ahead, Taylor wants to
(Phys.org/ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Vastly expanding sugarcane production in Brazil for conversion to ethanol could reduce current global carbon dioxide emissions by as much as 5.6 percent, researchers report in the journal Nature Climate Change. This would be a massive undertaking,
(Bioenergy Insight) ... Led by the University of Tuebingen in Germany, and involving researchers from the US Colorado State University, the new research published in the journal Nature Communications has provided a mechanistic understanding of biochar’s properties. The research revealed how
by Gunner Greene (Iroquois Bio Energy/Journal & Courier) Purdue University has received an important grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to continue its important research into homegrown biofuels. Purdue will continue its research into how corn and other biomass moves through
(International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) The present edition of the Postgraduate Summer School on Green Chemistry will be managed by IUPAC Interdivisional Committee on Green Chemistry for Sustainable Development (ICGCSD). This edition of the Post-graduate Summer School on Green Chemistry will
(University of Hawaii) ... Shihwu Sung, professor of applied engineering at UH Hilo, is currently conducting research on converting waste into biodiesel energy. ... Sung’s research is currently being conducted in the Renewable Energy Lab on the UH Hilo campus, where he has built a lab scale
(University of New England) The United States Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the University of New England was awarded a three-year, nationally competitive research grant for $1,321,039 from DOE’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E). DOE awardees are part of
(University of Arizona News) The goals of the Sustainable Bioeconomy for Arid Regions Center will be to address the nation's needs for biofuels and bioproducts, strengthen Arizona's bioeconomy, and provide training for the next generation of scientists and engineers. The University of
(Biofuels International) A general ban on palm oil in biofuels in Europe punishes the wrong producers while having little impact on reducing deforestation, according to Jaboury Ghazoul, a professor of ecosystem management at ETH Zurich. He claims in an article published
(Science Daily/Graz University of Technology) Researchers have observed enzymes breaking down cellulose to aid the production of biofuels. ... Typically, biorefineries use a mix of hydrolytically active enzymes which utilize water molecules to breakdown plant material -- as happens in natural degradation processes.
(EurekAlert!/King Abdullah University of Science & Technology) Red Sea surgeonfish use metabolically diverse giant bacteria to digest different types of algae, according to new research. Not only do these findings explain the basis of surgeonfish diversity, but they may also provide
(University of British Columbia Okanagan Campus/Biomass Magazine) A foul smell and safety concerns can leave many residents turning their nose at the idea of a wastewater treatment plant in their neighborhood. But researchers from UBC's Okanagan campus have developed a new way
by S. Himmelstein (Engineering 360/IEEE) A new plasma synthesis process promises to enhance greenhouse gas emissions control while producing valuable chemical feedstocks. The technology developed at University of Liverpool allows for the direct, one-step activation of carbon dioxide and methane into higher value liquid
(Algae Industry Magazine) Colorado State University scientists and Arizona State University’s Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation are partners in a three-year grant of up to $3.5 million from the Department of Energy, aimed at improving how algae-based biofuels
(PR Web) The ABBA Integrated Biorefinery project, to be built at the AVAPCO Thomaston Georgia site, will co-produce bio jet fuel and Bioplus® nanocellulose. It has received a Phase 1, $3.7 million award from the Department of Energy. Negotiations with the Department
by Maegan Murray (WSU Tri-Cities/Washington State University) A method of converting a biofuel waste product into a usable and valuable commodity has been discovered by researchers at Washington State University and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. Converting algae to biofuels is a two-step process.
(University of Wyoming) Agricultural economists at the University of Wyoming will generate models of what economies in the Upper Missouri River Basin might look like if raising biofuels and carbon capture technologies were implemented. UW is part of the four-year, $6 million
(Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution) In the future, our homes and vehicles could be powered by fuel made from seaweed grown at large-scale offshore farms. Researchers at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) are working to help make that scenario a reality sooner
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) This week we’ve been looking at major advances in crops and feedstocks and algae is very much in the mix in that respect – the sustainable production of microalgae with high productivity and flexible composition is
(A4F) DEMA project video - A4F was in charge of the cultivation and optimization at pilot-scale of an engineered strain of Synechocystis 6803 for bioethanol production and of a 20-ha industrial unit business plan for commercial exploitation. http://www.dema-etoh.eu WATCH VIDEO and
by Beth Bly (Business North) Executives from several partnership organizations were on hand Wednesday morning at UMD’s Natural Resources Research Institute Coleraine Lab as the Renewable Energy Lab was unveiled. More than 10 years in the making, the lab currently has the
by Peter Ehrhard (Missouri University of Science and Technology) The idea of recycling waste cooking oil into biodiesel fuel is nothing new. For years, researchers have studied the process and companies have recycled when possible. However, for many groups, cost is
by Alexa M. Schmitz (Cornell University/Biomass Magazine) ... This week, researchers from the Cornell-affiliated Boyce Thompson Institute and Texas A&M University report in Plant Direct exciting new technology that may revolutionize the search for the perfect algal strain: algal droplet bioreactors on a chip. A single
by Deirdre Lockwood (Chemical & Engineering News) Prototype laser absorption spectrometer could make radiocarbon analysis less expensive -- For those seeking carbon credits for selling or using biofuels, it’s important to know that the fuel actually came from plants that were recently
by Kathy Cisar (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced the selection of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to lead a new project, for up to $3.5 million, with the goal of reducing the production
by Mohammad-Matin Hanifzadeh (Algae Industry Magazine) Editor’s note: Matin is a PhD graduate research assistant at the University of Toledo. He has worked for more than five years on research related to improving economic and environmental sustainability of algae production. During his
(Phys.Org/South Dakota State University) The oil extracted from ground seeds of camelina and carinata, oilseed plants from the mustard family, can be used as jet fuel. However, with oil prices at an all-time low, that is economically challenging. These promising biofuel
by Erica Solomon (Masdar Institute News) Harvesting of the First Crop of Oil-Rich Plants Grown in the Desert Using Seawater Brings the UAE Closer to Fueling Aircraft with Locally-Produced Biofuel -- Masdar Institute of Science and Technology’s Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium
(Bioenergy Insight) A number of research projects focused on bioenergy and biofuels have been selected for the US Community Science Programme (CSP) of the US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute. ... Boulos Chalhoub of the French National Institute for Agricultural Research is
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... Regardless of which side of the fence you are on, the chopping continues and there are literally tons of wood waste left behind that doesn’t get used up, but we can all agree we
(American Chemical Society/Canada Free Press) Olive oil has long been a popular kitchen staple. Yet producing the oil creates a vast stream of wastewater that can foul waterways, reduce soil fertility and trigger extensive damage to nearby ecosystems. Now in a
(Michigan State University) Michigan State University scientists will explore new algae-based technologies to capture power plant emissions and sustainably turn them into valuable products. The research project, funded by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, unites faculty from
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the selection of one additional project, for up to $3.5 million, as part of the Bioenergy Technologies Office’s (BETO’s) Advanced Algal Systems Program funding opportunity announcement (FOA). For Algal
by Ann Bailey (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Multiple trade groups and ethanol companies offer internships, contests and events to get young people interested in biofuels. The next generation is drawn to ethanol's environmental and economic benefits. -- ... The recent addition of
by Tracy Turner (Ohio State University) Students at The Ohio State University and Central State University, a historically black university in Wilberforce, will soon benefit from a $2.8 million grant designed to develop leaders for the bioeconomy industry in Ohio
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced six grants totaling nearly $21.1 million to support the development of new jet fuel, biobased products and biomaterials from renewable sources.
(KAUST Discovery) Insight into the thermal decomposition of a potential fuel additive shows it could promote cleaner and more efficient combustion. -- An additive for conventional fuel comprised of oxygenated organic compounds could help reduce the release of pollutants into the
(University of Illinois ACES/Biomass Magazine) Researchers from the United States and China have proposed an idea that could improve China’s air quality, but they’re not atmospheric scientists. They’re agronomists. “China’s poor air quality is caused by a combination of coal burning
(Michgan State Univesity) Both civil airlines and the military have successfully used camelina oil blends to fly airplanes. Camelina is not a significant food crop. So why doesn’t the oilseed plant compete with petroleum products? Small yields. Michigan State University will lead
(Phys. Org/Goethe University) Currently, making products such as fuels, synthetic materials or pharmaceuticals from renewable raw materials lacks efficiency because the microorganisms process the raw materials very slowly and generate many unwanted by-products. Biotechnologists at Goethe University Frankfurt have now
(Newswise/U.S. Department of Energy) Researchers from Spain, Poland and Ireland have developed a new computational method to rapidly screen the effects of point mutations in bacteria to make biofuel production more efficient -- Converting fibrous plant waste, like corn stalks
(Algae Industry Magazine) Toledo, Ohio, has certainly seen its share of unwanted algae over the past years. Now, a new research program is looking toward the potential of turning that algae into useful products. The University of Toledo was recently
by Tv Jayan (The Hindu) JNU researchers discover bacteria from Rajasthan, Ladakh, use them as catalysts -- Using microbes growing in two diverse climatic conditions, Indian scientists have found a way to convert carbon-rich waste materials into bio-fuel. A team of
(Advanced Biofuels USA) USDA-funded feasibility study based on 2016 energy beet project at University of Maryland Eastern Shore finds Navy solicitation is best market for economic viability of project followed by advanced ethanol for Mid-Atlantic ground transportation markets. With Norfolk and
(Biofuels International) Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a new catalyst to improve the synthesis of primary amines (derivatives of ammonia). It is claimed that in the future the newly developed ruthenium based catalyst could also impact the development
(Algae Industry Magazine) Researchers from UCLA and the University of Tokyo have demonstrated a new capability to sort microalgae cells by their shape, creating a baseline of uniform cells for a large range of research, industrial and clinical applications. While
(Phys.Org/ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) A Boeing 747 burns one gallon of jet fuel each second. A recent analysis from researchers at the University of Illinois estimate that this aircraft could fly for 10 hours on bio-jet fuel produced
(Phys.Org/University of Borås) Lignin, a waste product in biomass and ethanol production, now finds new value as bio-oil in new products. At the University of Borås, Sweden, a team of researchers has investigated methods to extract and refine lignin for
(Bioenergy Insight) ... Over recent years, growing knowledge of biocatalysts and enzymes has revitalised interest in fuel cells, with research showing their hydrogen and oxygen transformation potential could be comparable to that offered by platinum. Researchers at the Laboratoire of Bioénergétique et
by Tracey Bryant (University of Delaware) ... A UD research team has invented a more efficient process for extracting the sugars from wood chips, corn cobs and other organic waste from forests and farms. ... Basudeb Saha, associate director for research at UD’s
(Phys.Org/U.S. Department of Energy) ...However, weather conditions could greatly affect crop yields. In this study, researchers examined the effect of weather on biofuel production by comparing switchgrass and corn stover harvested after a year of major drought and after 2
(U.S. Department of Energy/Newswise) Those who are selected for the Chain Reaction Innovations program will gain, among other things, access to Argonne National Laboratory’s world-class R&D infrastructure and technical expertise. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory announced the
(Biofuels International) With the price for crude oil at less than $50 a barrel, Iowa State University’s National Science Foundation Engineering Research Centre for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC) is proposing a new model for creating, applying and commercialising chemicals made from
by Kathy Swisher (West Virginia University) West Virginia University biologists are part of a $40 million Department of Energy effort to create sustainable, cost-effective bioproducts through four new bioenergy research centers. As part of the Center for Bioenergy Innovation led by
by Ruth Lothe (Norwegian University of Life Sciences) In 2010, researchers at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) were the first to describe a new class of enzymes that have created a revolution in the area of biorefining. These
by Wendy Wolfson (University of California Irvine Applied Innovation) In a high-ceiling room in professor Markus Ribbe’s lab, a giant still emits pungent vapors from fermenting bacteria. Ribbe, chancellor’s professor of molecular biology and biochemistry at the UCI School of
(U.S. Department of Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory’s bioenergy program have successfully tested an adaptive, intelligence-based control system that increased the reliability of feedstock preprocessing equipment by more than 50 percent. Before feedstocks can be converted into fuels
(American Chemical Society) ... “Rather than rely on inefficient chlorophyll to harvest sunlight, I’ve taught bacteria how to grow and cover their bodies with tiny semiconductor nanocrystals,” says Kelsey K. Sakimoto, Ph.D., who carried out the research in the lab
(Phys.Org/ Lomonosov Moscow State University) Members of the Faculty of Biology of the Lomonosov Moscow State University have proved that under Nordic conditions, wastewater could be treated with the help of microalgae, while algal biomass is suitable for processing into biofuel.
(Phys.Org/University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) Fuels that are produced from nonpetroleum-based biological sources may become greener and more affordable, thanks to research performed at the University of Illinois' Prairie Research Institute that examines the use of a processing catalyst made
LorenzoFavaro, et al. (Bioresource Technology) Rice milling by-products are promising feedstocks for bioethanol. Starch-rich residues were efficiently fermented by two engineered amylolytic yeast. Rice husk, composed by lignocellulose, was pre-treated with alkaline peroxide. Pre-treated husk was saccharified by commercial enzymes and
by Jong-MinJung, et al. (Biosource Technology) Biodiesel synthesis using chicken manure biochar. Establish a green platform for producing biodiesel using chicken manure biochar. Enhanced yield of biodiesel using chicken manure biochar due to strong catalytic capability. 95.6% of the FAME yield using chicken
(Biofuels International) Scientists in India have investigated ways in which toxic algal bloom can be used for cultivating Chlorella pyrenoidosa, a freshwater algae increasingly considered a candidate for biodiesel production. ... Scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee deployed toxic algal bloom
by Louise J. Slater, Robert L. Wilby (Science Magazine) River flood risks are expected to rise as climate change intensifies the global hydrological cycle and more people live in floodplains (1). Changing risk may be revealed by trends in flood frequency,
(Phys.Org/Bangor University) Far from being a load of rubbish, landfill sites should be considered one of the great untapped resources in the search for new enzymes for biotechnology, and could fuel more efficient biofuel production. A new research paper in mSphere by biologists
(Greenspeed Research) Boise, Idaho Non-Profit organization Greenspeed Research (GsR) breaks landspeed record for diesel trucks at a speed of 219.411mph at the 69th Annual Southern California Timing Association Speed Week in Utah. On August 18th, 2017, driver Dave Schenker, Patrick Johnston (CTO, GsR),
(Algae Industry Magazine) Researchers at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) in collaboration with other groups have discovered that the unique genomic traits that allow local green algae to survive in a desert climate may have far-reaching potential for biotechnical
(Green Car Congress/ NATO) Eight Serbian scientists are leading a research project to develop the commercial production of biofuel from algae. The project is supported by the NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme and is carried out by
(Pennsylvania State University/Phys.Org) With more than two dozen companies in Pennsylvania manufacturing potato chips, it is no wonder that researchers in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences have developed a novel approach to more efficiently convert potato waste into ethanol.
by Aerin Einstein-Curtis (Feed Navigator) A team of researchers have developed a faster way to generate microalgae on a biofilm with potential applications for feed. READ MORE
by M. P. Reynolds, et al. (Science Magazine) In recent decades, the scientific, development, and farm communities have contributed to substantial gains in crop productivity, including in many less developed countries (LDCs) (1), yet current yield trends and agri-food systems are
(Bioenergy Insight) New research claims that air pollution policy reduces the extent to which population growth in urban areas results in increased pollution emissions, without disrupting the economic growth resulting from this urbanisation. More than half of the world’s population currently lives
(Biofuels International) Scientists in Germany have found a way to refine biodiesel so that it works in standard diesel car engines, according to an article appearing on Live Science. Differences in molecular structure mean that biodiesel made from plant material burns at
(Advantage News) The Illinois Department of Transportation has approved implementation of a renewable energy demonstration project using grasses collected from mowing highway rights-of-way. The work will implement the findings of a three-year study by a multidisciplinary team, including the Illinois Sustainable
(Xinhua) Costa Rican researchers have found a way to turn coffee waste into electric energy, the University of Costa Rica (UCR) announced on Wednesday (June 28, 2017). The process also prevents ozone-depleting greenhouse gases, such as methane, from entering the atmosphere
by Whitney Clavin (California Institute of Technology) A new additive helps researchers more selectively convert CO2 to multicarbon fuels -- Chemists have figured out a new, more efficient way to create carbon-based fuels from carbon dioxide (CO2). In chemical reactions performed
(Michigan State University) Michigan State University researchers are experimenting with harvesting seed oil to make biofuels that could someday power our jets and cars. In a recent study published in the journal The Plant Cell, the researchers show that the chloroplast,
(Phys.Org/University of Plymouth) Scientists are warning the UK kelp biofuel industry to beware of viruses. Whilst known to infect certain types of seaweed, a new study published in the ISME Journal is the first to describe viruses in kelps, which are
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The DOE is funding a fascinating project to develop a continuous electrochemical process to convert biorefinery waste lignin to substituted aromatic compounds for resins and resin binders. The goal? Integration into biorefinery with revenue generated, to
( Eindhoven University of Technology) ... Their self-built system comprises an electric bus that is hooked up to a small trailer – which the students have christened ‘REX’ – in which formic acid is converted into electricity. The benefits of using
(Queen's University Belfast) A researcher at Queen’s University Belfast has discovered a way to convert dirty aluminium foil into a biofuel catalyst, which could help to solve global waste and energy problems. In the UK, around 20,000 tonnes of aluminium foil
by Scott Miller (Clemson University) Clemson University scientists have received a federal grant to evaluate the effectiveness of producing biofuels to mitigate climate change. Quantifying the net impact that growing biomass feedstock for biofuel has on local temperature and carbon sequestration can aid
(Michigan State University/Ethanol Producer Magazine) A collaborative study by Mojgan Nejad, MSU forestry, proves that lignin, a byproduct of paper and bioethanol production, can completely replace phenol in phenolic adhesive formulation. This research directly impacts housing manufacturing by introducing biobased
(Press Trust of India) Opposition lawmakers today asked the government to put adequate focus on renewable sources of energy to cut dependency on fossil fuel, saying time has come to take the matter seriously. During a discussion on the India Institute
by Eric Charles Peterson (Biogas Channel) At the University of Icesi a new project has begun to support rural communities in Colombia. This is a 200-litre capacity covered micro-digester, built using locally available materials and fuelled by food waste. It has enabled
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced today that it will award a fourth project—up to $1.8 million—under the MEGA-BIO: Bioproducts to Enable Biofuels Funding Opportunity. In August 2016, DOE's Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) selected three projects for
by Scott Goss (The News Journal/Delaware Online) ... Researchers at the Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation say they have discovered a highly efficient way to convert plant matter into a chemical used to make everything from car tires to Lego blocks. “It’s still early
(Phys.Org/Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology) Scientists have used high-resolution mass spectrometry to determine the composition of a biofuel obtained from the microalgae Spirulina platensis. The researchers studied two biofuel fractions obtained using a special algal mass treatment method. The
(Energy Today/Carnegie Mellon University) How do you efficiently isolate hydrogen, unlocking its full potential as a primary, mainstream source of energy? -- The universe consists of a number of elements, the most abundant of which is hydrogen – making up
by Tina Hilding (Washington State University) Washington State University researchers have developed a way to grow algae more efficiently — in days instead of weeks — and make the algae more viable for several industries, including biofuels. Their work was reported
by Nico Savidge (University of Wisconsin-Madison) A UW-Madison research center that has used the university’s largest-ever federal grant to develop ethanol technology over the past decade will shift its focus to other alternative fuels after winning another major award from
(U.S. Department of Energy, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rice is a staple food for over half of the world's population and a model for studies of candidate bioenergy grasses such as sorghum, switchgrass, and Miscanthus. To optimize crops
(University of Kentucky) The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research’s (CAER) Biofuels and Environmental Catalysis Group has received a $2 million U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) grant to develop new emissions technology for low-temperature gasoline. The project is titled “Research and
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In California, two cofounders of Sugarlogix went from engineering yeast for cellulose based fuel production and refining biofuel fermentation processes to cultivating prebiotic sugars that could be good for your gut. Their goal is to
by Nathan Skolski (University of British Columbia Okanagan) New research from a professor of engineering at UBC’s Okanagan Campus might hold the key to biofuels that are cheaper, safer and much faster to produce. “Methane is a biofuel commonly used in electricity
(University of Dayton) Once known only as the slimy scourge of backyard ponds and lakes, algae is emerging as a superhero in the race for cleaner and renewable energy resources. But this hero is not without its Achilles' heel: algae
(Phys.Org/Purdue University) Gen3Bio Inc., a Purdue Foundry-affiliated company, is developing a unique process that could more effectively and affordably transform microalgae into bio-based chemicals to maximize the value of biofeedstock and reduce landfill waste.... Okamoto (Kelvin Okamoto, founder of Gen3Bio) earned his
by Lauren Tyler (NGT News) The University of Wisconsin-Madison and ExxonMobil have announced a two-year renewal of an agreement to research the chemistry of converting biomass into transportation fuels. According to ExxonMobil, the research is part of a broad effort to identify scalable and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry today (July 17, 2017) announced $40 million in Department of Energy awards for the establishment of four DOE Bioenergy Research Centers (BRCs), which will provide the scientific breakthroughs
(Michigan State University) ... What we do know is that the precursors for seed oil come from many sources in a plant cell. And Kun (Kenny) Wang and the Benning lab have recently identified a new, potentially significant one. The study is published in the
(Technical University of Munich) Fuel from waste? It is possible. But hitherto, converting organic waste to fuel has not been economically viable. Excessively high temperatures and too much energy are required. Using a novel catalyst concept, researchers at the Technical
by Paul Brackley (Cambridge Independent) If you thought algae was just sludge, think again as we venture inside The Algal Innovation Centre at Cambridge Univerity’s Botanic Garden. -- ... Defying the inhospitable temperature, Dr Matt Davey bravely slips on his fetching green
(Celtic Renewables) Celtic Renewables Ltd, the innovative and award winning start-up company, set the wheels in motion of the first car to be fueled by a whisky residue biofuel. The fuel - biobutanol - is a new advanced and sustainable biofuel,
by Jeremy Rumsey and Heidi Hill (U.S. Department of Energy) Producing biofuels like ethanol from plant materials requires various enzymes to break down the cellulosic fibers. Scientists using neutron scattering have identified the specifics of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction that could
(Phys.Org/Rutgers University) Biofuels like the ethanol in U.S. gasoline could get cheaper thanks to experts at Rutgers University-New Brunswick and Michigan State University. They've demonstrated how to design and genetically engineer enzyme surfaces so they bind less to corn stalks and other
by Chad Bryan (Jamaica Information Service) Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr. the Hon. Andrew Wheatley, has hailed the collaboration between the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica (PCJ) and the University of Technology (UTech) on research into the use of
by Leslie Shown (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) In the world of biofuels research, the baker’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae gets a lot of love, with scientists commonly tweaking the yeast’s fermentative qualities to enhance ethanol production. Researchers at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center
(Phys.Org/Michigan State University) Could cellulosic biofuels - or liquid energy derived from grasses and wood - become a green fuel of the future, providing an environmentally sustainable way of meeting energy needs? In Science, researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy-funded
by Erin Kidd (Independent Tribune) When Austin Dillon crossed the finish line and made his way to Victory Lane at the Coca-Cola 600, there were smiles from all of his supporters and probably from Dr. Andy Randolph, technical director of
(Phys.Org/Arizona State University) Despite several major national research initiatives, no one has been able to come up with the breakthrough renewable biofuel technology that would lead to a cheaper alternative to gasoline. That research challenge led ASU scientists, Reed Cartwright and
(Penn State News) Slowed as much by extremely low oil prices as supply-chain and technological challenges, the effort to integrate biofuels into the nation's aviation fuel supply is nonetheless progressing, according to a researcher in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. Sustainable
by Stu Borman (Chemical & Engineering News) Low-energy and waste-free reaction produces biofuel that meets regulatory vaporization standards -- Researchers in Germany have developed chemical reactions that convert rapeseed oil and ethylene to a diesel fuel that could power conventional
by Floyd Griffiths (WesTech Engineering, Inc./Algae Industry Magazine) WesTech Engineering, Inc. and Utah State University’s Sustainable Waste-to-Bioproducts Engineering Center (SWBEC) are jointly engaged in developing processes for more efficient harvesting of algae from municipal wastewater and other nutrient-rich sources, and
by Jeremy Rumsey and Heidi Hill (Newswise/Department of Energy) Producing biofuels like ethanol from plant materials requires various enzymes to break down the cellulosic fibers. Scientists using neutron scattering have identified the specifics of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction that could significantly reduce
(Phys.Org/ University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign) ... To penalize the carbon emissions from this so-called indirect land use change, the USEPA and California Air Resources Board include an indirect land use change factor when considering the carbon savings with biofuels for
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