(Phys.Org/Tomsk Polytechnic University) Gold nanoparticles serve as catalysts for obtaining valuable chemical products based on glycerol. Scientists from Tomsk Polytechnic University and their international colleagues are developing gold catalysts to recycle one of the main byproducts of biofuel production. The
(Univeristy of Pittsburg/R&D Magazine) Numerous studies have raised critical concerns about the promise of corn ethanol's ability to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Some of the studies have suggested that after a full life cycle assessment--meaning
(Simon Fraser University ) Researchers at Simon Fraser University and Kwantlen Polytechnic University are teaming up to develop sustainable clean-tech solutions that will provide potable water and clean food globally, in areas challenged by climate change and fast-growing populations. The researchers
by Kathleen Phillips (AgriLife Today) Waste material from the paper and pulp industry soon could be made into anything from tennis rackets to cars. “We have overcome one of the industry’s most challenging issues by discovering how to make good quality carbon
by Claudia Lutz (Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Illinois) New approach combines synthetic biology, genome editing tools, and automation to quickly and effectively produce novel yeast strains One of humankind’s oldest industrial partners is yeast, a familiar microbe that enabled early societies
(IOP Environmental Research Web) Oil-palm plantations in Latin America are mostly replacing cattle pasture and other previously intervened lands rather than forests, a study by scientists in Puerto Rico has found. The research – which also revealed that most exported oil
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Last December , the U.S. Department of Energy announced it would support the country’s 10th Manufacturing USA Institute with $70 million over five years, subject to federal appropriations. Another $70 million is expected from RAPID’s partners, including
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Biomass Power Association has released the results of a study demonstrating dramatic carbon benefits can be achieved by using forest residue-based biomass instead of natural gas in power generation facilities. The research determined that
(Phys.Org/Lancaster University) ... However, spent coffee grounds, which have a high calorific value, offer a good low-cost alternative feedstock. However, most used coffee grounds are currently just dumped. In 2014 more than nine million tonnes of spent coffee grounds were
by Haley Childers (Appalachian State University News) What has 18 wheels and runs on corn chips? Thanks to a food solution from two Appalachian State University students, a chip producer’s transportation fleet well could. Senior chemistry major and sustainable business minor Kelsey
(Algae Industry Magazine) The Algae Technology Education Consortium (ATEC), a collaboration among the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Algae Foundation, universities, community colleges, and industry production companies across the United States, has successfully implemented the first semester of the ATEC curriculum
(Phys.Org/University of Hong Kong) Straw is commonly used for feeding animals, burning, baling, etc. As one of the "Three Canton Treasures", straw can actually be used as a raw material to produce biofuel. ... With an increasing demand on biofuel in recent
by André Orban (Luchtzak.be) Over the coming two years, staff at the Delft University of Technology will take flights using biofuel. On Tuesday, the university signed an agreement to participate in KLM’s Corporate BioFuel Programme. KLM is the only European airline
by Marlene Cimons (Nexus Media) Look out for souped-up algae that can be made into food, fuel and pharmaceuticals. -- ... Researchers at the University of California San Diego and Sapphire Energyhave successfully grown a genetically engineered strain of algae outdoors for
by Viola Zhou (South China Morning Post) Lydia Lam Pui-ying will further her study at Kyoto University in Japan -- Hong Kong and Japanese scientists have discovered a new way to make biofuel from rice straw, which may offer a cheaper
(University of Washington/Biomass Magazine) The mountain pine beetle has destroyed more than 40 million acres of forest in the western United States. That amounts to an area the size of Washington state that is strewn with conifers left for dead. The
by Stephanie Reitz (UConn Communications/Biodiesel Magazine) UConn has become one of a select few public universities in the U.S. to achieve green certification for every dining hall on campus, based on practices used at each site to promote environmental sustainability. The
(American Chemical Society/EurekAlert!) Chicken is a favorite, inexpensive meat across the globe. But the bird's popularity results in a lot of waste that can pollute soil and water. One strategy for dealing with poultry poop is to turn it into
by Ilse Frederickx. Translated by Katrien Bollen (KU Leuven) Bacteria need mutations or changes in their DNA code to survive under difficult circumstances. When necessary, they can even mutate at different speeds. This is shown in a recent study by the
(La Journada (Google Translation)) In order to exploit waste from the confectionery industry and reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, which in their production and use are polluting, a group of scientists belonging to the Autonomous University of Querétaro (UAQ), uses
(Extension.org) The Northeast region of the United States (from the Ohio River to the New England coast) has the natural, social, and technological resources needed to help create a sustainable, rural renaissance by using biomass to create biofuels, biopower, and
(Phys.Org/Kumamoto University) ... Recently, efforts have been made by researchers in Japan to reduce the cost of biodiesel production by using pulsed electric fields (PEF) to extract hydrocarbons from microalgae. A milli- or microsecond PEF is typically used to weaken cell
(Phys.Org) The genome of the fuel-producing green microalga Botryococcus braunii has been sequenced by a team of researchers led by a group at Texas A&M AgriLife Research. The report, in Genome Announcements, comes after almost seven years of research, according to
(Phys.Org) ... Taking up this double-edged sword is Cynthia Bartel, a doctoral candidate at Iowa State University. She's finding a way to lessen the harm and increase the benefits of removing maize stover. "While water and wind erosion are substantial problems for
by Rob Wolfe (Valley News) ... The current plant, which features a 175-foot brick smokestack, is located to the east of the Hood Museum of Art and burns roughly 3.5 million gallons of fuel oil each year to heat more
(Biofuels International) Scientists in Brazil have developed a new method for verifying the purity and quality of biodiesel. The pioneering new technique uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, according to spectroscopynow.com. Biodiesel and biodiesel blended fuels are increasingly being used around
(Science Daily/Kobe University) The mechanism behind oil synthesis within microalgae cells has now been revealed by a research team. This discovery could contribute to the development of biofuels, they say. The findings were published on April 4 in Scientific Reports. ... Focusing on
(Farm Forum) ... Through Senior Capstone Design projects, the senior engineering students partner with innovators in the ag industry using the latest technology. The experience provides an opportunity to work on projects that will impact agriculture for future generations. The designs and
(George Washington University) Lead the conversation by joining the Planet Forward Correspondents for 2017-18! Correspondents work closely with the Planet Forward team to highlight compelling characters and innovative ideas. Pieces are featured on PlanetForward.org and also may be presented at
(Phys.Org) Cyanobacteria have attracted significant attention as potential biocatalysts for production of clean energy and green chemicals from sunlight and atmospheric CO2. A recent study investigated effects of altering large cellular complexes called phycobilisomes, which cyanobacteria use to efficiently capture
by Larry Lee (Brownfield Ag News) A University of Wisconsin professor says his termite research might help the biofuels, livestock, and paper industries improve lignin processing. Researcher Cameron Currie says breaking down the woody substrate in plants called lignin is challenging
(University of Nevada, Reno/EurekAlert!) ... Biochemist and molecular biologist John Cushman at the University of Nevada, Reno will create a gene atlas for the common ice plant that will help find ways to allow bioenergy feedstocks to better tolerate salinity
by Paul C. Samboko, Mitelo Subakanya, Cliff Dlamini (United Nations University-WIDER) The need for energy security and climate change mitigation have increased blending mandates worldwide; in Southern Africa, demand for biofuels could increase following South Africa’s planned blending mandates. However, land constraints
by Abdul-Sattar Nizami (King Abdulaziz University, Center of Excellence in Environmental Studies (CEES)) (RenewableEnergyFocus.com) The conservation of biomass is essential for ensuring a continuous and quality supply of feedstock for biofuel facilities around the year. However, the conservation of biomass
(USP, UNICAMP and UNESP) Applications for the Ph.D. program in Bioenergy, jointly offered by the three state universities in São Paulo (USP, UNICAMP and UNESP), will be open from April 7 to May 31, 2017, for candidates starting their Ph.D. programs in August
(Biospectrum) The new fungal source Penicillium funiculosum could be a strong alternative in the industrial enzyme repertoire for biofuel production -- Scientists at New Delhi-based International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) have peered into a fungal gene to
(Algae Industry Magazine) Many microalgae strains have received attention in biomass production due to their high biomass productivity per unit time and per unit area. Algae produce oil as well as carbohydrates, occurring mainly in the form of starch. Oil
(Wisconsin State Journal/Morgridge Institute for Research) Q: Could the biofuel cycle be made more efficient? — Nikita Agrawal, 11, Skinner West Elementary, Chicago A: The production of biofuels starts by growing plants out in a field or forest. All of the
by Krista Eastman (University of Wisconsin-Madison) A team of chemical and biological engineers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison has found a way to produce from biomass a valuable compound used in plastic production that they estimate could lower the cost
by Caitlin E. Hicks Pries, C. Castanha, R. C. Porras, M. S. Torn (Science Magazine) Soils contain about twice as much carbon as Earth's atmosphere, so their response to warming is crucial to understanding carbon fluxes in a changing climate. Past studies have heated
(University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign/Laboratory Equipment) A multi-institutional team led by the University of Illinois have proven sugarcane can be genetically engineered to produce oil in its leaves and stems for biodiesel production. Surprisingly, the modified sugarcane plants also produced
(Green Car Congress) A team at RWTH Aachen University has developed a framework for the model-based formulation of biofuel blends with tailored properties by considering the fuel’s molecular composition as the fundamental design degree of freedom. A paper on their
(Washington State University/Biomass Magazine) Researchers at Washington State University Tri-Cities and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have found a new way to define the molecular structure of cellulose, which could lead to cheaper and more efficient ways to make a variety of
(University of Copenhagen) University of Copenhagen and the global player Bayer CropScience have successfully developed a new oilseed crop that is much more resistant to heat, drought and diseases than oilseed rape. The breakthrough is so big that it will
(Biofuels Journal) Researchers at John Hopkins University, USA, have created artificial lichens using bacteria and yeast that are capable of producing materials for biofuels directly from sunlight and CO2. The research is published in the open access journal Biotechnology for Biofuels
(Phys.Org) Molds produce a wide range of both valuable and toxic molecules, which have important implications for energy production, agriculture and human health. A recent study revealed that an organelle within fungal cells called the endoplasmic reticulum acts as a
(University of Manchester) A new graphic novel which addresses the big questions around bioenergy and climate change is being launched by The University of Manchester ahead of a major conference this week. In a unique collaboration between artists and researchers working
(NEWBio) Spend a week (July 10-14, 2017) at University Park (Penn State) learning about current bioenergy research from nationally recognized faculty. Renewable Energy alternatives are vital for the health of our planet, and the NEWBio Project, funded by the USDA,
by Syiffaa’ Musa (The Star) ... Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and CIMB Foundation are collaborating to educate the public through a BioDiesel From Used Cooking Oil Programme. The project encourages the public to drop off their used cooking oil at one of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The High Lords of Pyrolysis travel under the unlikely cover identities of “George Huber” and “Robert Brown” — but we know them in their true superhero identities of “The Catalyst” and “The Godfatha”. ... Instead,
by Gretchen Miller (Biofuels Digest) ... Meghan Pawlowksi, a graduate student at the University of Hawaii Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture, crawled around her field site on the last sugarcane plantation in Hawaii, Maui’s Hawaiian Commercial & Sugar Company, or HC&S,
(American Association for the Advancement of Science/EurekAlert!) In a package featuring seven new studies, scientists of the Synthetic Yeast Genome Project (Sc2.0) who previously constructed a single yeast chromosome now report constructing five more - representing more than one-third of yeast's
(Tokyo Institute of Technology/EurekAlert!) The perimeter of lipid droplet in their cells is an important place for oil synthesis -- Photosynthetic organisms such as plants and green algae can transform atmospheric carbon dioxide into carbon storage molecules, especially oils such as
by Amy Mayer (Iowa Public Radio) The agriculture sector needs to ramp up its response to climate change, especially in the Midwest, according to a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. ... Lead author Xin-Zhong Liang, a
(Algae Industry Magazine) On May 9 Yumiko Sakuragi from the Copenhagen Plant Science Centre will participate in the Danish IP fair in Industriens Hus, Copenhagen. Dr. Sakuragi will present her invention on how smart microalgae can enhance bioethanol production from
by Sharita L Forrest (Phys.Org) A semiautonomous robot may soon be roaming agricultural fields gathering and transmitting real-time data about the growth and development of crops, information that crop breeders—and eventually farmers—can use to identify the genetic traits in plants likely to
(The Crop Science Society of America/Biodiesel Magazine) ... In California, growers usually choose warm-season crops: ones that grow from March to October. But extension agronomist Stephen Kaffka and his team at UC Davis, including project scientist Nic George, explored growing
by Silke Schmidt (Phys.Org) ... Genetically modifying switchgrass could boost crop yields and its commercial viability. But to close in on realizing that potential requires one small tweak: a genetic sterility switch that prevents the modified grass from contaminating the genes of nearby
(MoveEnergy) Penn State Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Yuan Xuan and researchers at Yale University will work together to identify clean-burning biofuels for next-generation internal combustion engines under to a $1.2 million award from the Energy Department’s Co-Optimization of Fuels
by Allen Etzler (Frederick News Post) A near $2 million endowment will be used to help Hood College continue developing its biology department and build collaborations with the biotech industry. The college recently received $944,000 under a matching endowment for the
(Lab Manager/U.S. Department of Energy) Wood’s complex structure makes it highly resistant to biological or chemical decomposition. The structure includes cellulose, long chains of linked sugar molecules, embedded in a scaffolding of a chemical known as lignin. Brown rot fungi,
(SciDev.Net) Research team produces aviation fuel from jatropha plants grown in desert with sewage water; Aim is to cut aviation emissions, but high cost remains a challenge for use by the end of 2017; Semi-industrial experiments kicked off to develop a production method
by Judith Garfield (San Diego Community Newspaper Group) ... In my first article “Scripps research on biofuels hits close to home Part 1,”readers traveled with me on Scripps Institution of Oceanography’s R/V Sproul as I helped carry out research on
by Catherine Zandonella (News at Princeton) Three projects with the potential for broad impacts in science and technology have been selected to receive support from the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Transformative Technology Fund. The projects include a technology for improving ultrasound's
(Iowa State University) A special issue of the journal Energy Technology details the latest advances in pyrolysis technologies for converting biomass into fuels, chemicals and fertilizers. Two pyrolysis experts are guest editors of the issue: Robert C. Brown, the director of
by Jeff Mulhollem (Penn State News) Africa and agroforestry — defined as agriculture that incorporates the cultivation and conservation of trees — are in Penn State professor Michael Jacobson's blood, and the combination has helped shape his career. In turn, the
by Steffen Mueller (University of Illinois at Chicago/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Strategically located ethanol sources cannot be economically replaced. -- Carbon dioxide sourced from corn-ethanol plants is not a waste-recovery product but a coproduct that, in many regions, can only be
(Scrivener Publishing) The most comprehensive and up-to-date treatment of all the possible aspects for biofeedstock processing and the production of energy from biofeedstocks. Audience Chemical engineers, petroleum engineers, process engineers, students in chemical engineering, biotechnology, petroleum engineering, agricultural biotechnology, applied microbiology, environmental
(NewBIO) Something new happened in the bioenergy willow world this week in Pennsylvania. A new type of willow energy crop harvester got its first run on a willow crop in Pennsylvania. The machine, a 2 row harvester, was acquired as part
(Phys.Org) A new study published last week in the journal Environmental Research Letters by researchers at the University of Puerto Rico offers the first regional look at lands being converted to palm oil plantations in Latin America. Palm oil is
by Anne Trafton (MIT News) MIT engineers have genetically reprogrammed a strain of yeast so that it converts sugars to fats much more efficiently, an advance that could make possible the renewable production of high-energy fuels such as diesel. The researchers,
(PHYCO2/Biodiesel Magazine) PHYCO2 LLC, an emerging algae production, waste water treatment and carbon dioxide sequestration company, announced the successful treatment of wastewater from breweries to comply with state water discharge limits for nitrates and phosphates. During Phase 4 of the multiyear trial
(Montclair State University/Biomass Magazine) Pankaj Lal, associate professor of Earth and Environmental Studies and associate director of the PSEG Institute for Sustainability Studies at Montclair State University, is among 102 recipients of the Presidential Early Career Awards for Scientists and Engineers.
by Cindy Zimmerman (Energy.AgWired.com) The Renewable Fuels Association and the Renewable Fuels Foundation are proud to announce two students are receiving scholarships this year to attend RFA’s 22nd annual National Ethanol Conference: Building Partnerships, Growing Markets next month in San
(South China Morning Post/sponsored) ... This new Catalyst for Green Biodiesel can be synthesized in one step from low-grade unrefined feedstock such as waste cooking oil, with no aqueous treatment steps required. Ethanol or propanol extracted from plants can also be
(EurekAlert!/Kobe University) A Japanese research group led by Associate Professor ASHIDA Hiroki (Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University), Academic Researcher KONO Takunari (Graduate School of Human Development and Environment, Kobe University), and Professor MATSUMURA Hiroyoshi (Ritsumeikan University)
(Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) Climate Researchers Study Impacts of Land-use Change on Carbon Dioxide - Reforestation Is Important to Climate Protection and Species Diversity – Study in Nature Geoscience -- CO2 emissions caused by changes of land use may possibly
by Matt Wheeler (Phys.Org) ... Bendy Estime, a biomedical and chemical engineering Ph.D. candidate, has devoted his research to this area, and developed a new technology for energy efficient cultivation and harvesting of microalgae. ... "The study is an attempt to address three 'bottlenecks'
by Ivy Ashe (Hawaii Tribune Herald) ... The latest stop along that path comes from researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, who are investigating potential dual contributions of crops used to
by Prabhuraj Balakrishnan (University of Manchester/Nanowerk News) ... In a research work by The University of Manchester academics (Prof. Colin Webb's research group at the School of Chemical Engineering), a new methodology have been developed, that significantly reduces the time and
(Montana State University/Biomass Magazine) A Montana State University scientist has received a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science to research ways to improve the usefulness of camelina, an ancient crop that the modern world
by Anne Trafton (MIT/Biomass Magazine) MIT engineers have genetically reprogrammed a strain of yeast so that it converts sugars to fats much more efficiently, an advance that could make possible the renewable production of high-energy fuels such as diesel. The researchers,
by Blaine Friedlander (Phys.Org) To unravel how intricate waste biomass converts to biofuels, a Cornell professor studied the bacterium Clostridium acetobutylicum to decipher its metabolism. Understanding the bacterium's sugar-processing complexities may lead to improved biofuel yields. "It is recognized for over
by Liz Gyekye (Biofuels International) Roberto Rinaldi FRSC, a senior lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London has been awarded a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator Grant to fund his world-leading work on lignin valorisation. According to
by Jeff Kulikowsky (MyTwinTiers.com) Morrisville partners with JD Farms in Eaton on industrial hemp pilot program -- Hemp may not be what you'd think of as the next big cash crop but plenty in New York, including Governor Andrew Cuomo, think
(Iowa State University) A special issue of the journal Energy Technology details the latest advances in pyrolysis technologies for converting biomass into fuels, chemicals and fertilizers. Two pyrolysis experts are guest editors of the issue: Robert C. Brown, the director of
(University of Illinois/EurekAlert!) Today many biofuel refineries operate for only seven months each year, turning freshly harvested crops into ethanol and biodiesel. When supplies run out, biorefineries shut down for the other five months. However, according to recent research, dual-purpose
(Aberystwyth University) ... Now a new eco-friendly process developed by Aberystwyth University biology graduate Joe Freemantle could provide a solution. Joe has devised a process to turn disposable nappies, incontinence pads and sanitary products into valuable products including pure cellulose fibre and
(Science News/University of Michigan) When growing algae in outdoor ponds as a next-generation biofuel, a naturally diverse mix of species will help reduce the chance of crop failure, according to a new study. -- ... Algae-derived biocrude oil is being
(Environmental Research Web) Cultivating algae for food and biofuel could make a serious dent in our greenhouse gas emissions, as well as helping to save freshwater resources and reduce deforestation. Currently the emissions associated with land-use change and agriculture account for
(EurekAlert!/PLOS) Two potential biofuel crops in Hawaii--sugarcane and napiergrass--may sequester more carbon in soil than is lost to the atmosphere, according to a study published January 4, 2017 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Meghan Pawlowski from University of
by Grace Schneider (Courier-Journal) After a recent boost in funding, the Conn Center for Renewable Energy Research at the University of Louisville is delving into the science and economics of commercializing industrial hemp. It’s a new line of work for the center, located
(Millenni um Campus (Google Translation)) ...In the Rectors' Hall of the Central Building, the university leader recognized Ignacio Contreras Andrade, a researcher at the Faculty of Biological Chemistry Sciences, for having obtained the first place in the silver category of
by Nicole Heslip (Brownfield Ag News) New research at Michigan State University has the potential to create a biofuel source produced by algae. Plant researcher Danny Ducat tells Brownfield certain algae bacteria can capture more solar energy, using less land and
(Algae Industry Magazine) Marine algae have the power to simultaneously fuel vehicles, recycle carbon dioxide, and provide nutrition to animals and humans,” said Ira A. Levine, a tenured Professor of Natural and Applied Sciences at the University of Southern Maine
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today, the Energy Department (DOE) announced up to $7 million for eight universities to accelerate the introduction of affordable, scalable, and sustainable high-performance fuels for use in high-efficiency, low-emission engines. Under the Co-Optimization of Fuels and Engines (Co-Optima)
(Oregon State University) The use of residual forest biomass for rural development faces significant economic hurdles that make it unlikely to be a source of jobs in the near future, according to an analysis by economists at Oregon State University. In
(Iowa State University) Iowa State University will bring its expertise in biorenewable technologies and pilot plant operations to the country’s 10th Manufacturing USA Institute. The recently announced advanced manufacturing institute is dedicated to improving the productivity and efficiency of chemical manufacturing.
by Brian Warshay, J. Jed Brown, Sgouris Sgouridis (The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment) Prospective evaluation of the lifecycle impacts of aviation biofuel production in Abu Dhabi, UAE based on a production system that integrates aquaculture, saltwater agriculture, and mangrove silviculture, termed an
(University of California, Irvine) Using a novel approach involving a key enzyme that helps regulate global nitrogen, University of California, Irvine molecular biologists have discovered an effective way to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to carbon monoxide (CO) that can be
by Enrico Belga Jr. (Rappler) Dubbed as 'Bio-Gab,' the group’s biofuel invention converts wild taro, which is hazardous to humans and animals, into a bioethanol that can fuel cars -- ... This need also motivated a group of college students from St
(Michigan State University) Michigan State University scientists have engineered “molecular Velcro” into cyanobacteria, boosting this microalgae’s biofuel viability as well as its potential for other research. The findings, featured in the current issue of ACS Synthetic Biology, show how MSU researchers
(University of Cambridge) Molecules 10,000 times narrower than the width of a human hair could hold the key to making possible wooden skyscrapers and more energy-efficient paper production, according to research published today in the journal Nature Communications. The study,
(Phys.Org/ DOE/Joint Genome Institute) ... To learn more about how bacteria interact with fungi in a symbiotic relationship to support the biochemistries that could contribute to the development of alternate fuel sources, Cornell and DOE JGI researchers used a model bacterial-fungal
by Kathleen Tuck (Boise State University) A paper co-authored by Lisa Warner, an assistant research professor in the Biomolecular Research Center, looks at how Clostridium thermocellum breaks down and converts cellulosic biomass to produce biofuels, including hydrogen and hydrocarbons, while
(University of Missouri) Switchgrass Can Improve Soil Quality on Eroded Farms, Study Finds -- The loss of fertile topsoil from agricultural fields is an economic problem for modern farmers. When runoff water washes topsoil from agricultural fields in areas with
(Dow AgroSciences/Business Wire) Dow AgroSciences, Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University and Agriculture Victoria Working Together on Essential African Root Crop -- More productive cassava plants, a root crop that is foundational for food security in Africa, will be made possible by
(American Science and Technology/Ethanol Producer Magazine) American Science and Technology, a sustainable technology company, has teamed up with Terma Group, a team of Waste and Environmental Technology researchers at the University of Malaga in Spain, to continue efforts on the
by Scott Weybright (Washington State University) When it comes to second generation biofuels, Washington State University research shows that consumers are willing to pay a premium of approximately 11 percent over conventional fuel. “We were surprised the premium was that significant,”
(Tech2) Scientists at Indian Institute of Technology – Kharagpur have unlocked the secret to ramp up yields of biofuel sourced from commonly found aquatic weeds such as water hyacinths. In a new study published on December 1 in Nature Scientific Reports,
(Science Daily) Researchers in Australia have made an important discovery about how sand 'holds its breath' -- specifically, how diatoms survive in the ever-changing environmental conditions of a beach. The finding has major implications for the biofuels industry. -- ... The
(Algae Industry Magazine) Angelo Paggi Matos, a doctoral student from Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), in Brasília, Brazil, has been awarded an honorable mention by MERCOSUL Science and Technology Awards — Category: Young Scientist, with a work entitled: Biochemical
by Rachel Grant-Brown (Cargill) Students Rachana Halasabele and Alessia Xu from The University of Manchester in the UK recently triumphed with their innovative and practical winning solution to a real-life industry problem set by Cargill’s ethanol experts at their starches and
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... So, what do you do about the Frost Wall. Generally, you can grow more with the first harvest — that’s yield improvement. Or, you can grow more in the extreme north — that’s crop expansion.
(Bentley University/PR Newswire) Bentley University research fellow Michael J. Walsh leads study finding algae food to have potential to mitigate climate change -- Scientists affiliated with the Marine Algal Industrialization Consortium have published a research article demonstrating the potential of
(Washington State University/Biomass Magazine) Researchers at Washington State University Tri-Cities have been awarded a National Science Foundation I-Corps grant to explore the market potential of their biojet fuel research. The team has successfully demonstrated a new, water-based process for deconstructing and
(Phys.Org) New research at the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory (IBRL) on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus could significantly change ethanol production by lowering operating costs and simplifying the dry grind process. "There are currently more than 200 dry grind plants
by David Tenenbaum (University of Wisconsin-Madison) ... (James) Steele, the University of Wisconsin–Madison Winder-Bascom professor of food science, specializes in food, beverage and biofuel fermentation. Understanding how bacteria and yeast convert biomass into products has been his stock-in-trade for more than
(Biodico/Biodiesel Magazine) Biodico Inc. announced Nov. 29 that it has made its first delivery of biodiesel to the University of California, Santa Barbara. The biodiesel, which was produced from used cooking oil collected at the university, will fuel tractors and
by Katherine Bourzac (Chemical & Engineering News) Technology to produce fuels from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide faces scientific and economic challenges -- READ MORE and MORE (Environmental and Energy Study Institute) Excerpt from Environmental and Energy Study Institute: Scientists are pushing
by Lexy Hamilton-Smith (ABC) A green start-up technology company has surprised scientists by producing a biofuel from old rubber tyres that can run turbo-charged diesel engines while reducing emissions by 30 per cent. Green Distillation Technologies (GDT) can produce 3,000 litres of
(Science Daily) An alternate use for sugarcane waste has been proposed by a research team in India. While sugar is falling out of favor around the world, sugarcane residue is becoming a useful commodity, they say. -- Indian researchers pioneer
(Revista Summa (Google Translation)) In order to generate an alternative and friendly fuel with the environment, a group of graduates biotechnologists Technology of Costa Rica (TEC) is, for four years, conducting research with whey and its transformation potential in biodiesel. This entrepreneurial
by Clarence Michael (Masdar Institute) Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi Presents Award to Dr. Hanifa Taher Al Blooshi for Research in Designing A NEW Novel System for Enzymatic Biodiesel Production - Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al
(Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves) Shifting from a cookstove that burns traditional woodfuel to a stove that uses a cleaner-burning fuel such as ethanol may mitigate cardiovascular health risks in pregnant women, according to a new study led by a
(Algae Industry Magazine) A group of educators and researchers from Cornell University, the Cornell Algal Biofuel Consortium (CABC), has published a comparative commentary in the December, 2016 issue of Oceanography, the quarterly journal of The Oceanography Society. The commentary sums up a
by Brooks Hays (UPI) Chemical engineer Jae Sung Lee said the research will offer a "new opportunity for recycling CO2 into valuable fuels and chemicals." -- Researchers have developed a new way to turn captured CO2 into liquid biofuel capable
(Iresiduo (Google Translation)) Specialists of the Center for Research Science and Higher Education of Ensenada ( CICESE) develop a prototype version biodiesel plant that will produce from microalgae and work with solar energy. Pilar Sánchez Saavedra, Department of Aquaculture, and Daniel Carvajal
(Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest) This talk introduces a web-based decision support tool for biorefinery siting and explores the economic viability of potential biorefinery locations in Chehalis, WA, Dallas, OR, and Hayden,ID. WATCH VIDEO
(Univeristy of Botswana) The University of Botswana took its research programme to loftier heights when it launched an experimental vehicle that uses biodiesel fuel on November 14, 2016. The vehicle uses blended fuel (B10) which is 90 per cent petroleum
by Lina Jang (The Korea Bizwire) Pukyong National University announced Wednesday that graduate student Seonwoo In-young (26), recently succeeded in producing bioethanol using dead seaweed that washed ashore after a tropical storm. Seaweed plays an essential role as a food source,
(Planet Forward) Tell an inspiring story to move the Planet Forward. Enter to win our Storyfest Award Grand Prize: A storytelling expedition to the Amazon rainforest with the 'Godfather of Biodiversity'! In every corner of the planet, amazing people are working hard to
by Kari Lydersen (Midwest Energy News) ... The prospects for cellulosic ethanol becoming a commercially available clean transportation fuel could also hinge on yeast’s ability to ferment corn stalks, switchgrass, wood chips or other fibrous feed stock. The same strain of
(Phys.Org/Ruhr-Universitaet-Bochum) Researchers have developed a hybrid of a fuel cell and capacitor on a biocatalytic basis. With the aid of enzymatic processes, what's known as a biosupercapacitor efficiently generates and stores energy. The trick: the enzymes are embedded in a
by Anthony King (Horizon Magazine) Hacking trees by adding bacteria to their roots could help scrub contaminated soil clean of chemicals and metals from industrial spillages and fallouts, a process known as gentle remediation. Once the approach is refined, it could
by Tom Abate (Stanford University) Solar energy has the potential to provide abundant power, but only if scientists solve two key issues: storing the energy for use at all hours, particularly at night, and making the technology more cost effective.
by Beth Miller (Phys.Org) A computer scientist at Washington University in St. Louis has developed a way to coax cells to do natural things under unnatural circumstances, which could be useful for stem cell research, gene therapy and biofuel production. Michael
(Goethe University Frankfurt/EurekAlert!) Goethe University Frankfurt coordinates European two million Euro project -- Microbes are already used on a wide scale for the production of fuels and base chemicals, but for this most of them have to be "fed"
(Bioenergy Insight) The Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Nigeria, has entered into an agreement with Hungarian Agrar-Biothanol to produce fertiliser and ethanol in addition to electricity. The facility will produce 1,333 tonnes of liquid organic fertiliser and 2.66 million litres
(European Commission) ... Used cooking oils (UCOs) are processed from food industry and catering waste; cheap and widely available, they are playing an increasing role in the development of advanced biofuels. However, although the legislative framework is in place,
(nova-Institute) Its concept is to combine chemical and enzymatic catalysis with insects-based biological conversion via termites, within a biorefinery integrated approach. The project is conceived to avoid waste production by recycling waste bio-based products and improve the sustainability of existing
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In the Netherlands, saving up excess solar and wind energy for times when the sun is down or the air is still requires a storage device. Batteries get the most attention as a promising solution
by Evelyn Boswell (Montana State University) A regional interdisciplinary team led by Montana State University has received $6 million to develop new innovations at the intersection of food, energy and water systems while training the next generation of scientists. The four-year
by Apornrath Phoonphongphiphat ( Bangkok Post) A Thai research team has successfully produced ethanol from water hyacinth. Now it needs to find the technology to turn the result into a viable business -- A Thai researcher has succeeded in producing
by John Upton (Climate Central) It may have seemed apparent to members of Congress a decade ago that if a motorist pumped a gallon of fuel made from corn into their gas tank, a gallon of fossil fuel would be
by Jeremy Cox (DelmarvaNow) ... The beet plants bred by his (Frank Turano's) company, meanwhile, appear to be largely free of disease. And they're producing tubers up to twice the size of the commercial varieties growing in the same rows. Turano, the
(Biofuels International) A joint investment between UK’s BBSRC and the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) in Brazil has been made to support collaborations between UK and Brazilian scientists in advanced biofuels research. The funding – £3.5 million (€3.9m) from BBSRC with
(Biofuels International) Scientists at Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale De Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland have turned lignin into a source of biofuel by simply adding a common chemical. The patent-pending method that converts up to 80% of lignin into valuable molecules for biofuel
(Solution Generation) Solution Generation, in collaboration with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), will honor one AACC member college with a $10,000 award for its excellence in climate leadership. Solution Generation will reward the institution that demonstrates a clear commitment
(Phys.Org) The potential for at least partly replacing oil with cellulose as a renewable source of energy and materials has just improved. While abundant in nature, cellulose is difficult and expensive to find in pure or high-quality form. Now, however,
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