by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In South Korea, scientists from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology proposed a reaction for the highly selective production of 1-butanol, a valuable alternative fuel, by electrochemical reduction using copper phosphide electrodes. Their findings offer
(University of Canterbury) University of Canterbury engineering researchers are developing a carbon-neutral – even carbon-negative – way to create clean ‘green’ hydrogen to power our world more sustainably. -- University of Canterbury Chemical and Process Engineering academics Professor Shusheng Pang and Associate Professor Alex
by Nikk Ogasa (Science News) The process could tap underused sources of renewable fuels -- ... But by tweaking a gene in common baker’s yeast, researchers have engineered a strain that can defuse those deadly by-products and get on with the
(University of Illinois/EurekAlert!) Bioenergy from crops is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. New crops such as energycane can produce several times more fuel per acre than soybeans. Yet, challenges remain in processing the crops to extract fuel efficiently. Four new studies
(Bio Market Insights) ... recently, bamboo has caught their eye, as evidenced in a study made in Indonesia which we discuss, as it presents a future in sustainable energy. Bamboo is one of the most productive and fastest growing plants on the
(Bio Market Insights) ... Finding a way to increase crop yields without encroaching on either food crops or natural habitats is a novel challenge, but it is one that may soon have a solution. Researchers from Queensland University of Technology’s Centre
by Nicoletta Lanese (Live Science) Microbes fished from the stomachs of cows can gobble up certain kinds of plastic, including the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) used in soda bottles, food packaging and synthetic fabrics. Scientists uncovered these microbes in liquid that was drawn
by Valentina Bisinella, Tore Hulgaard, Christian Riber, Anders Damgaard, and Thomas H. Christensen (Waste Management) - Carbon capture and storage (CCS) can amend existing waste incineration technologies. -CCS reduces the energy recovered depending on the incineration technology amended. -CCS reduces climate change impacts
(American Institute of Physics/Phys.Org) For more than 60 years, algae have been studied as a potential feedstock for biofuel production, but the cellulose in their cell wall makes it hard to access the critical molecules inside and convert them to biogas. In
(AgriLife Today) Agriculture byproducts can help produce eco-friendly, biodegradable plastics -- Bioplastics — biodegradable plastics made from biological substances rather than petroleum — can be created in a more economical and environmentally friendly way from the byproducts of corn stubble,
by Anne Trafton (Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Phys.Org) To try to expand biofuels' potential impact, a team of MIT engineers has now found a way to expand the use of a wider range of nonfood feedstocks to produce such fuels. At the
Over the last four years, CABLE has prepared over 60 students for promising careers in the bioeconomy, both across the U.S. and internationally. Our members form a supportive network as each one of us pursues a more sustainable future through
(U.S. Department of Energy) Today (June 23, 2021), the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) announced $8 million in federal funding for four projects to develop and test technologies that capture and utilize carbon dioxide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Lignin 20-30% of plant/wood biomass is the key to a successful biorefinery that would make both biofuels and bioproducts said Mark Thies from Clemson University in this BETO Peer Review slide guide that dives into
(Science Daily/University of Montreal) Millions of liters of primary municipal wastewater can be treated sustainably using fast-growing willow trees while also producing renewable bioenergy and 'green' chemicals, researchers find. -- Every year in Canada, six trillion litres of municipal wastewater are
(University of Delaware) In the quest to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere and curb climate change, University of Delaware researchers are turning to an interesting ally: bacteria that consume biomass sugars and CO2. With a $2.7 million grant from the U.S.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Being in a big state, Texas A&M University has some big goals like overcoming the key challenges for biorefinery cost-effectiveness and sustainability in the BETO MYPP and bring down the biofuel cost to $3/GGE. How
(Purdue University/SciTechDaily) ... The closest process to artificial photosynthesis humans have today is photovoltaic technology, where a solar cell converts the sun’s energy into electricity. That process is famously inefficient, able to capture only about 20% of the sun’s energy. Photosynthesis,
by Lauren Quinn (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) ... For corn ethanol, most greenhouse gas emissions can be mapped to the fuel’s production, transportation, and combustion, but a large portion of the greenhouse gas calculation can be traced right back to the
(AZoCleantech) A student from the Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at South Ural State University (SUSU) and the winner of the UMNIK competition is working on a project to produce a fundamentally new catalyst that will help generate affordable biodiesel fuel
(Biofuels International) In a study recently published in Nature Communications, scientists from the Novo Nordisk Foundation Centre for Biosustainability (DTU) and Yale University carried out research into how bacteria commonly found in sugarcane ethanol fermentation affects the industrial process. By closely
Ahmad A. Mannan and Declan G. Bates (Nature Communications) Bacteria can be harnessed to synthesise high-value chemicals. A promising strategy for increasing productivity uses inducible control systems to switch metabolism from growth to chemical synthesis once a large population of
by David Bradley (Inderscience/TechXplore) The search for sustainable energy sources continues apace. Research highlighted in the International Journal of Renewable Energy Technology, looks at one such source—algae, from which biodiesel can be derived, The work discusses production issues, characterisation, and compares
(RUDN University/EurekAlert) RUDN University chemists proposed a new way to synthesize catalysts for the conversion of ethyl alcohol. The obtained materials are promising catalysts for the selective conversion of ethanol, which is an important stage in the development of an alternative
by Lucca Henrion Henrion, Joe Árvai, Lauren Lutzke and Volker Sick (Green Biz) ... The technology to capture climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions from smokestacks, and even from the air around us, already exists; so too does the technology to use this
Chandan Kundu, Shanthi Priya Samudrala, Mahmud Arman Kibria & Sankar Bhattacharya (Scientific Reports) Lignocellulosic biomass is an attractive renewable resource to produce biofuel or platform chemicals. Efficient and cost-effective conversion systems of lignocellulosic biomass depend on their appropriate pretreatment processes.
by Diana Kenney (University of Chicago Marine Biological Laboratory) A team of researchers led by Loretta Roberson, associate scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, has installed the first seaweed farm in Puerto Rico and U.S. tropical waters. The research array
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Biofuel blendstocks is what it’s all about for Dimitris Assanis from SUNY and Ofei Mante from RTI International. Check out their BETO presentation on bioblendstock oils rich in naphthenes produced using catalytic fast pyrolysis and
(Ruhr University in Bochum) An enzyme could make a dream of the energy industry come true: it can efficiently generate hydrogen from electricity as well as convert hydrogen into electricity. Both fuel cells, which convert hydrogen into electricity, and electrolysers, which
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Perennial grass miscanthus as an energy crop has advanced into high biomass yielding varieties and NC State University is working with Novozymes, Iogen and Oak Ridge National Lab on evaluating new miscanthus varieties and improving
by Robert Lea (AZO CleanTech) New research suggests that a carbon-neutral biofuel could be created from methane extracted from lakes. -- ... A team of environmental scientists from the University of Basel, Switzerland, suggest that methane stored in lakes could
by Jennifer Huber (Stanford University/SLAC) Derived from microscopic algae, the rare, light-driven enzyme converts fatty acids into starting ingredients for solvents and fuels. -- Although many organisms capture and respond to sunlight, it’s rare to find enzymes – proteins that promote
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Everyone wants to reduce the price of biofuels – and a team from Texas A&M, USDA, AgriLife Research, Mississippi State University and others are working on improving the economics and environmental sustainability of biomass sorghum
(New Zealand Ministry For Primary Industries/Business Scoop) Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service is laying the foundations for a new biofuels industry, to turn forestry waste into a potential billion-dollar industry, and working on a business case with help
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Bioenergy switchgrass feedstock – can it be the next-generation feedstock we’ve been looking for in the Midwest? University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is looking at perennial bioenergy feedstock production on marginal croplands across geographic locations in
(Knoxville Entrepreneur Center) The Knoxville Entrepreneur Center, AgLaunch, Sync Space and The Biz Foundry are partnering to offer a 3-week virtual bootcamp to develop promising agtech startups. Applicants should be innovators who are interested in growing their agricultural startups and working directly with farmers or
by Nate Perez (Caspar Star Tribune) The Integrated Test Center in Gillette hopes to attract more tenants to study carbon capture. The ITC has hosted Carbon XPRIZE winner UCLA CarbonBuilt and and is now housing Membrane Technology and Research —
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today (May 14, 2021) announced $35 million in funding that will help slash carbon emissions and scale up the volume and efficiency of renewable biofuel. The 15 awarded research projects are
(Hiroshima University/Phys.Org) Acetone, a volatile solvent used for everything from removing nail polish and cleaning textiles to manufacturing plastics, could get a sustainability boost from a new strain of bacteria engineered by a research team based in Japan. They published the details
by Bev Betkowski (Troy Media/University of Alberta) University of Alberta research is brewing up better ways to help ethanol producers make the most of plant waste they use to make their fuel. A process developed by researcher David Bressler’s lab in the Faculty of
by Morgan Black (Global News) A made-in-Alberta success story is taking flight after a University of Alberta professor found a way to transform agriculture and forestry waste into jet fuel. Dr. David Bressler is the project lead of FORGE Hydrocarbons. He has studied the
(Kobe University/Phy.Org) A cross-institutional collaboration has developed a technique to repartition carbon resources from carbohydrates to lipids in microalgae. It is hoped that this method can be applied to biofuel production. This discovery was the result of a collaboration between a
(University of York) he discovery of a novel enzyme that releases a valuable chemical from agricultural waste could provide an important breakthrough in the upscaling of renewable fuels and chemicals, a new study shows. ... Researchers – led by the University of York
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Enymatic hydrolysis, thermomechanical pretreatment, bioconversion and other ways to recycle plastic waste can change the way we look at plastics and polymers. Check out this illuminating slide guide from the University of Massachusetts on waste-to-energy,
(EurekAlert!/University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy and Environment) CABBI studies on the Renewable Fuels Standard indicate a need for more targeted policies that value the environmental benefits of perennial bioenergy crops over cheaper options - and provide
(Advantage News) The NCERC at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is leading the way in converting municipal solid waste to biofuel through two proposals submitted for funding. The NCERC has received funding from a grant proposal that was submitted to SIUE’s Transitional and
U.S. Department of Eneryg/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory) Although many organisms capture and respond to sunlight, enzymes - proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions - are rarely driven by light. Scientists have identified only three types of natural photoenzymes so far. The newest
(University of California Davis) Report to State Outlines Policy Pathways to Meet the Zero-Carbon Time Crunch -- Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in California. In order to achieve the state’s goals of carbon neutrality by 2045
by Steven D. Allison and Tyrus Miller (University of California, Irvine/The Conversation) ... We worry that overemphasis on science may hamper the design of effective climate solutions. In our view, solving the world’s climate problems will require tapping into brainpower beyond science. That’s
(University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo) A groundbreaking study investigating the growth of selected varieties of sugarcane to convert into high-performance jet fuel is underway at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo College of Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resource Management (CAFNRM). Utilizing advanced technologies
(ChemEurope) EU research project on the potential of agroforestry waste as environmentally friendly raw materials completed -- In future, waste from agriculture and forestry could serve as the basis for environmentally friendly building materials, insulation foams or fuels. Over the past
by Phoebe French (The Drinks Business) The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) is using waste products from the wine and cheese industries to produce hydrogen and methane. -- Researchers working in the university’s engineering department in the Mexican state of
(North Carolina State University Campaign News) Professor Sunkyu Park, who has deep NC State roots, is working to turn waste from the pulp and paper industry into the biofuel of the future. Boosted by private support, his research could revolutionize
by Lura Roti (SDPB Radio) Results from a recent University of Nebraska Study could dramatically increase demand for ethanol. This is optimistic news for South Dakota corn farmers, ethanol manufacturers and family farm advocates. Redefining Renewable Fuels was a year-long study conducted by
by Leslie Reed (University of Nebraska–Lincoln/Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute/Nebraska Today) University of Nebraska–Lincoln researchers affiliated with the Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute have received a $3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to better quantify
(American Chemical Society/Phys.Org) ... Once all the flavor has been extracted from barley and other grains, what's left is a protein- and fiber-rich powder that is typically used in cattle feed or put in landfills. Today, scientists report a new
by Chris Mallory (The Counter) Agrivoltaics—putting solar panels on farmland—lead to astonishing productivity gains and improved energy efficiency. Except when they don’t. -- ... Mounted on 9-foot-tall beams, so lofty a tractor could pass below them, the solar panels slant against
(Polytech University of Madrid (Google Translation)) Researchers at the UPM obtain biodiesel from a mixture of low-quality animal fat with soybean oil and, once characterized according to technical regulations, have tested its behavior in a Diesel engine. -- Today, renewable fuels,
(Natural Resources Canada) ... Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, today announced a $2,890,000 investment in the University of Alberta’s biojet technology. The University of Alberta, along with project partners Alberta Innovates, FORGE Hydrocarbons Inc., Western Economic Diversification Canada, Future Energy Systems, CanmetENERGY Devon and Edmonton International Airport, are also providing
(Earlham Institute) Some grasses are a sustainable energy source that could be a driving force towards achieving net zero carbon emissions, according to new research that demonstrates their resilience to harsh growing environments. -- The Miscanthus genus of grasses, commonly used
Join us for a lively discussion of technologies that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and the ocean and permanently sequester carbon to slow and reverse the impacts of climate change. Speakers include: XPRIZE Foundation will discuss the new $100
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) From current carbon fiber recycling methods to the way of the future– mild chemical recycling – this slide guide from Washington State University researchers is one you won’t want to miss. Their latest research on
by Laura Thomson interview with Akshat Tanksale (AZO CleanTech) Associate Professor Akshat Tanksale at Monash University speaks to AZoCleantech about his research on how microalgae could have significant benefits when applied to the hydrogen production industry. ... What makes microalgae a suitable
(American Institute of Physics/TechExplore) ... In their paper, published in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy, Yangzhou University researchers in China show how a combination of monochromatic red and blue LED illumination on one type of microalga can enhance its growth and
(Ruhr University Bochum) CO 2 can be converted electrochemically into raw materials for industry. So far, however, there is a lack of catalysts that are stable over a long period. A few tricks might solve the problem. Researchers at the Ruhr University Bochum and the
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) Four companies developed the first process in the world to produce compostable bioplastic from food and feed production side streams. A biopolymer plant will be built in Uusikaupunki, Finland, in which bioplastic production will be
by Karyn Hede (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) Sewage and food waste biocrude conversion process reaches major milestone -- A large-scale demonstration converting biocrude to renewable diesel fuel has passed a significant test, operating for more than 2,000 hours continuously without
by Lynne Roeder (Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) Novel bimetallic catalyst also yields valuable solid carbon co-products for manufacturing industries -- ... Researchers from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and West Virginia University (WVU), in collaboration with industry partners Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas)
(Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters/EurekAlert!) A single-celled alga undergoes genome surgery to remove non-essential parts. This can lead to a most efficient cellular factory for producing sustainable biofuels from sunlight and carbon dioxide. Researchers from the Qingdao Institute of BioEnergy and Bioprocess
(NewsWise) Microbiome and soil chemistry at long-term bioenergy research sites challenge the idea that switchgrass increases carbon accrual in surface soils on marginal lands. -- In this study, researchers characterized the influence of crop and site on fungal and bacterial
(DTU Biosustain) New research suggests that the diversity of the microbial community involved in sugarcane ethanol fermentation processes plays a significant role in its performance. Selecting the right bacteria could increase ethanol production by more than a billion liters per
by Shane McGlaun (Slash Gear) ... Researchers from the University of Nevada have been researching drought-tolerant crops that could be used for biofuel, sustainable foods, and forage crops. The team specifically looked at cactus called Opuntia ficus-indica because the plant has
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts on March 8 announced that ground-breaking research conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with support from the Nebraska Department of Administrative Services clearly demonstrates that E30 is safe for long-term use
(Santa Fe Community College) Alternative Fuels – ALTF 161 – Introduction to Algae Cultivation (3 credits) is an 8-week, online class that covers the fundamentals of sustainable algae farming, microalgae and seaweeds, basics of algae biofuels, algae as wastewater treatment, and algal
by Gary Polakovic (USC News) Using a “kelp elevator,” researchers at the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies were able to grow the biofuel crop in large quantities in the open ocean. ... Scientists at the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies on Santa Catalina
(Chinese Academy of Science Headquarters/EurekAlert!) Researchers from the Institute of Process Engineering (IPE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Nanjing Normal University recently reported a strategy for boosting the electrocatalytic performance of palladium (Pd) in ethanol oxidation reaction, the key
by Rhiannon Branch (Brownfield Ag News) The director of the National Corn to Ethanol Research Center says they have some big research projects in the works paving the way to new uses for US corn. John Caupert tell Brownfield they are finding
(American Chemical Society/EurekAlert!) Wheat straw, the dried stalks left over from grain production, is a potential source of biofuels and commodity chemicals. But before straw can be converted to useful products by biorefineries, the polymers that make it up must be
(U.S. Biochar Initiative) Visit this page for an index to a number of high quality biochar research reports and publications by the WSU Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources (CSANR). Contents include: Integrated biochar research: A roadmap A Rapid Test
(Dublin City University) A consortium led by researchers based in the School of Biotechnology at DCU continues to redefine the methodology employed in the distilling industry, towards improving sustainability in the workflows which are commonplace in distilleries the world over. Asst.
(Ruhr-Universitaet-Bochum/Phys.Org) A German-Chinese research team has found a new synthetic route to produce biofuel from biomass. The chemists converted the substance 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) produced from biomass into 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF), which could be suitable as a biofuel. Compared to previous methods, they
by Sonia Fernandez (University of California - Santa Barbara/Phys.Org) ... "This has been the longest single effort in my lab," said (Michelle) O'Malley, who with her research team way back in 2015 first embarked on an ambitious project to characterize gut
by Thibaut Lepage, Maroua Kammoun, Quentin Schmetz, Aurore Riche (Biomass and Bioenergy) Three processes of H2-generation from biomass were investigated and evaluated. Process improvements, optimisations and techno-economic valuation were described. H2 best yield are obtained through gasification, the thermochemical conversion. H2 yield in fermentative processes is important compared with
by David L. Chandler (Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Phys.org) Systems for capturing and converting carbon dioxide from power plant emissions could be important tools for curbing climate change, but most are relatively inefficient and expensive. Now, researchers at MIT have developed a
(Khaleej Times) Fallen leaves are gathered and raw materials are shredded to produce biomass pellets. A university in Dubai is embarking on a project to turn the waste of the region’s vast palm tree crop into sustainable and cost-effective biofuel. Rochester Institute
by Steinar Brandslet (Norwegian University of Science and Technology/Phys.Org) Growing perennial grasses on abandoned cropland has the potential to counteract some of the negative impacts of climate change by switching to more biofuels, according to an NTNU research group. Researchers consider
(Delft University of Technology) Royal DSM and TU Delft today announce the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Lab for Biosciences (the AI4B.io Lab). This laboratory will be the first of its kind in Europe to apply artificial intelligence (AI) to full-scale
(University of Aberdeen) The University of Aberdeen has today launched the UK's first postgraduate degree programme in Energy Transition Systems and Technologies. The new course, which is available to study full-time on campus from September (depending on Covid-19 situation), or part-time online,
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Missouri, CoverCress Inc. and its university partners Illinois State University and the University of Minnesota were selected as the Start-up Inventor of the Year by the Patent, Trademark, and Copyright Section of the Bar Association
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Today, a look into the Bioindustrial Manufacturing And Design Ecosystem (BioMADE), a Manufacturing USA Institute working to build a sustainable, domestic end-to-end bioindustrial manufacturing ecosystem. And, the Digest’s Top 10 Predictions and Markets for 2021.
(AZO CleanTech) Scientists have figured out a cheaper, more efficient way to conduct a chemical reaction at the heart of many biological processes, which may lead to better ways to create biofuels from plants. Scientists around the world have been trying for
by Marisa Ramiccio (University of Central Florida/TechXplore) Vehicles have evolved to become more efficient and sophisticated, but their fuel hasn't necessarily evolved along with them. The Department of Energy is determined to identify cleaner burning and renewable alternatives to gasoline, and
(Ruhr University Bochum) Green algae have two almost identical hydrogen-producing enzymes. One has been researched for decades, the other received little attention - until recently. Hydrogen-producing enzymes, so-called hydrogenases, could be a source of regenerative energy. The RUB photobiotechnology working group has now
(Planet Forward) Tell an inspiring story to move the Planet Forward -- There is no story more gripping than that of our changing planet — and the solutions to sustain it. While problems from climate to the pandemic to plastic use
by Julie Wurth (University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment) ... A study by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) found that energy sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) behaves more like
Benzhen Yao, Tiancun Xiao, Ofentse A. Makgae, Xiangyu Jie, Sergio Gonzalez-Cortes, Shaoliang Guan, Angus I. Kirkland, Jonathan R. Dilworth, Hamid A. Al-Megren, Saeed M. Alshihri, Peter J. Dobson, Gari P. Owen, John M. Thomas & Peter P. Edwards (Nature Communications)
by Chiranjeevi Kulkarni (Deccan Herald) At a time when pollution from stubble burning has become a concern, researchers from IISc have devised a way to extract ethanol from it which is a valuable fuel. Professor T V Ramachandra and his doctoral
(University of Louisiana at Lafayette) An energy storage and power generation system being designed at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette could make flying the friendly skies less harmful to the environment. Solid oxide fuel cells are “a key component” within
by David Bradley (Inderscience/Tech Xplore) The neem tree, Azadirachta indica, also known as the Indian Lilac, is well known for its oil extracted from its seed and fruit. It has been used in traditional medicine but has also been investigated
(The National News) About one million tonnes of date seeds are produced from 40 million palm trees in the Emirates -- A research team in the UAE have extracted a large quantity of biofuel from date seeds, signalling a huge potential
by Mike Timko (Worcester Polytechnic Institute/Biofuels Digest) A recent study led by a team from Worcester Polytechnic Institute shows that metal-oxide-based catalysts reduce char build up during biofuel conversion processes, increasing bio-crude oil yield and decreasing yields of low-value byproducts. ... Utilizing
by Tom Luljak (WUWM) Giant kelp is usually found thousands of miles from Milwaukee. It’s known for being an incredibly fast-growing seaweed in the Pacific Ocean. But recently, scientists have learned that the kelp could be a huge source for
(Aarhus University/EurekAlert!) Using an unusual, light-dependent enzyme and a newly discovered enzymatic mechanism, researchers from Aarhus University and MIT have enabled the biological synthesis of high-yield industry relevant production of climate neutral drop-in fuels from biowaste -- ... A special light-dependent
by Chris Mooney (Washington Post) ... And all of it is powered by an array of solar and sometimes distant wind installations, which route electricity across the country thanks to a gargantuan network of power lines that triples the scale
by Blaine Friedlander (Cornell University/Science Daily) By borrowing nature's blueprints for photosynthesis, bioengineers have found a way to efficiently absorb and store large-scale, low-cost renewable energy from the sun - while sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide to use later as a biofuel. By
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There is such a thing as green polyols for polyurethanes! And as you probably know, cellulosic ethanol produces tons of co-product lignin, so check out this slide guide that dives into the basic polyurethane chemistry,
The Consortium for Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Education is hosting its first virtual career fair on Thursday, February 4, 2021 from 10am-3pm (CST). The career fair will be attended by students from over 20 different universities across the nation. A comprehensive range of
by Hannah DelSordo* (Advanced Biofuels USA) In recent years, Dickinson College of Carlisle, PA, has been interested in innovative environmental practices that will improve the community and foster a hands-on learning experience for the students. In 2008, students and staff
by Ron Kotrba (Biobased Diesel Daily) Illinois-based Lewis and Clark Community College is making progress toward “building a pipeline of biodiesel technicians,” according to a recent presentation given by Chris Reynolds, the school’s associate professor of automotive technology. Year one’s
(Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition) The George Washington University will be offering full-time and part-time interdisciplinary graduate studies as part of their Environmental and Energy Management (EEM) program. Offerings include the EEM Master of Science degree or the Greenhouse Gas Management Graduate Certificate. The
by Jules Bernstein (University of California - Riverside/Phys.Org) A new study reveals how bacteria control the chemicals produced from consuming 'food.' The insight could lead to organisms that are more efficient at converting plants into biofuels. The study, authored by scientists at
by Tim Schley (Penn State News) New approach to nutrient management could make money for farmers and land managers; Best management practices for reducing runoff and other nutrient losses in agriculture have been difficult to implement, according to Penn State
(Carbon to Value Initiative) The Carbon to Value (C2V) Initiative will unlock a new carbontech economy, bringing innovative solutions to scale as rapidly as possible through the creation of a robust, powerful, and collaborative new ecosystem. Applications are now open for startups
by Mark Wilson (Fast Company) ... The problem is that recycling centers, with so much excess cardboard, just toss the material into a dump. But what if we could do something else—anything else—with all these boxes? Like fuel a car?
(Ruhr University Bochum) Methanol is an important raw material for the chemical industry. So far it has mostly been obtained from fossil natural gas. A team with RUB participation wants to change that. -- The idea is based on CO
(University of Bristol) Scientists have built tiny droplet-based microbial factories that produce hydrogen, instead of oxygen, when exposed to daylight in air. The findings of the international research team based at the University of Bristol and Harbin Institute of Technology
(University of North Dakota/News Wise) One of the significant challenges for renewable alternative fuels could be solved if a consortium of research laboratories led by the University of North Dakota can turn corn waste into jet fuel. Wayne Seames, Chester Fritz Distinguished
(Mississippi State University) A $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will benefit Mississippi State researchers in the university’s Forest and Wildlife Research Center studying the economic and ecological benefits of growing trees for biofuel production. The DOE funding will
by Fintan Burke (Horizon Magazine/Phys.Org) Using light as an energy source, photosynthetic microalgae can be used to produce products like biofuels and cosmetics. But algae grown in a reactor block out the light on which they feed. New reactor designs could
by Jamie Oberdick (Pennsylvania State University/Phys.Org) A multi-institutional research group led by two Penn State faculty members has identified, for the first time, how cellulose crystals orient themselves relative to the cell wall in plants, with potential implications for chemical and
(UPM/Gasnam/NGV Journal) The LIFE SMART AgroMobility project will work and research for the next three years in the production of biomethane from the processing of agricultural waste to later be used as fuel for agricultural vehicles and for biofertilizers. Its main
by Matthew Hill and Munir Sadiq (Monash University) The CSIRO and Monash University have developed a revolutionary device that captures carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere. Its inventors say it’s the most cost-effective method of capturing CO₂ yet devised. In the short term,
(The Tribune) The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) on Monday said its researchers have formulated efficient 'pincer' catalytic systems that transform industrial/biomass wastes into valuable chemicals. According to the research team, tiny amounts of these 'pincer catalysts' repeatedly convert large amounts
(Science Business/University of Eastern Finland) The School of Forest Sciences at the University of Eastern Finland is a partner in a new Erasmus+ project of the European Bioeconomy University, EBU, which seeks to develop a mechanism to enhance bioeconomy students’ cross-sectoral
(Times of India) A nano grain-based ethanol unit, installed at the National Sugar Institute-Kanpur, was inaugurated by the vice-chancellor of the Harcourt Butler Technological University Kampur, on Thursday This unit is integrated with existing molasses-based ethanol unit and thus now the
by Katie Pratt (University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment) Sulfur found in biofuel feedstock could pose serious problems to the industry, because it causes pollution, is toxic to the catalyst and corrosive to biorefinery equipment. A national group
(Maryland Energy Innovation Institute) In the latest round of funding, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $18.5M as part of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy’s (ARPA-E) Range Extenders for Electric Aviation with Low Carbon and High Efficiency (REEACH) program. The REEACH program objective is to develop
by Jenna Kurtzweil (Brookhaven National Laboratory/Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation) From southeastern Florida to northern Mississippi to the Midwestern Corn Belt, CABBI scientists have struck sustainable oil with sugarcane. But the crop’s potential value to the renewable energy
(University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign/Phys.Org) An international research team has sequenced the full genome of an ornamental variety of miscanthus, a wild perennial grass emerging as a prime candidate for sustainable bioenergy crops. The genome project—led by scientists at the Center for Advanced
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) There's been a barrage of big deals this week and here's The Digest's exclusive take on the biggest 7 deals, why they are big, and more. In today's Digest, we've got the latest deal details that
by Mark E. Griffin (Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center) ... “Bacteria and fungi break down plants through a number of different ways. When you see mushrooms growing on dead logs in a forest, they are breaking down the plant cell
(RMIT University/EurekAlert!) New ultra-efficient catalyst can recycle old cooking oil into biodiesel and turn food scraps into high-value complex molecules -- Researchers have developed a powerful, low-cost method for recycling used cooking oil and agricultural waste into biodiesel, and turning food
(Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research/Phys.Org) In the future, the world may increasingly rely on renewable biomass resources for the provision of food, fodder, fiber and fuel. How this transition to a bioeconomy will affect Nordic water resources, is something BIOWATER, a
(University of Wisconsin Oshkosh/Biomass Magazine) The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh has partnered with Agra Energy Corp. to promote a new technology that converts biogas to fuel. The renewable solution makes use of Agra Energy’s Micro-GTL (gas-to-liquids) technology that converts methane-rich biogas
(The Korea Bizwire) A newly developed technology is capable of producing biodiesel, an eco-friendly fuel for automobiles, using paper waste generated by parcel deliveries. Researchers from the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) announced Tuesday that they had developed a
(Southern Illinois University Edwardsville) The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has launched a new initiative “Future Leaders of Future Fuels,” focused on developing its own employees’ knowledge of the biofuels industry. The Future Leaders group consists of
by Brian Wang (Next Big Future) Algae could be used for fuel production on Mars and it would also produce oxygen on Mars. It would also produce fertilizer for growing crops on Mars. Georgia Tech aims to reduce the Entry Descent Landing
(Genetic Literacy Project/ISAAA) Hiroshima University researchers developed a highly efficient genome editing system for microalga Nannochloropsis oceanica, which is a potential source of biodiesel. Algae gather high concentrations of lipids through photosynthesis and these lipids can be used as feedstocks for sustainable new energies called biodiesels. Nannochloropsis species are
(National Institutes of Natural Sciences/Phys.Org) ... When plants are processed into biofuels or other biomass applications, cellulose has to be degraded into simpler sugar molecules first, and this step can represent up to a quarter of the operating and capital costs
(Illinois State University/Biomass Magazine) David Kopsell, professor of horticulture at Illinois State University, and LC (Liangcheng) Yang, assistant professor of environmental health at ISU, have received a two-year, nearly $150,000 grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The purpose of
(University of Leeds) Tapping into the myriad uses of plants and fungi could save people and the planet, says new report -- University of Leeds researchers have joined forces with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew to conduct research into the plants
(Bioenergy Insight) The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has selected 12 organisations and projects to receive around $3 million (€2.55 million) in funding to help reduce food loss and waste and divert food waste from landfills by expanding anaerobic digestion
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The prolific career of Doug Tiffany, recipient of the 2020 Award of Excellence, is indelibly linked to his connections to agriculture and farmland. Ethanol and its coproducts have been a frequent point of focus
by Xiaoxiang Wang, Li Cao, Rosmala Lewis, Tubuxin Hreid, Zhanying Zhang, Hongxia Wang (Renewable Energy) Oxygen-rich porous carbon from sugarcane bagasse via facile biorefining process. Symmetric cell exhibits high energy density of 5.86 Wh kg−1 with 97% retention. Solid residue yield reached
by Reagan Colyer (Montana State University News Service) A research team led by faculty in Montana State University’s College of Agriculture received $5.1 million from the U.S. Department of Energy designed to explore camelina, an oilseed with the potential to be an alternative
by Emily Pontecorvo (Grist) Two recent studies add fresh evidence to both sides of an age-old debate. ... (Lee) Lynd’s study aimed to address the common claim that biofuels do not actually offer greenhouse gas benefits. Ignoring factors like biodiversity and economics, Lynd
(Illinois State University) Though farmers consider pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) nothing more than a weed, Illinois State Professor of Genetics Dr. John Sedbrook is working to change their perspective—and the plant itself. Sedbrook and his student researchers in the School of
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... In today’s Digest, how Florida-based Transform Materials is literally transforming the petrochemical industry’s ability to convert flared natural gas often emitted at hydraulic fracking wellheads into hydrogen and acetylene using microwave plasma technology, and
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) ... So as we look for better biofuel feedstocks, we look at switchgrass because of new U.S. Department of Energy AND U.S. Department of Agriculture funding to study it for biofuels. Could it be
by Jeff Kart (Forbes) ...The researchers working on this are from University of California, Riverside (UCR) and it’s part of a two-year project. Those involved are being tight-lipped about the methods they’ll be using (pending the upcoming publication of research on a
.jpg)
