by Jin-Suk Lee and Kyu-Young Kang (IEA Bioenergy Task 39) Since Korea imports over 95% of its energy demand, thus energy security has always been an important driver in the national agenda. In addition, CO2 mitigation has become another important driver as a globally significant issue. The Korea Ministry of Environment (KMOE)
South Korea
by Ron Kotrba (Biomass Magazine) U.S. imports of biomass-based diesel hit extreme heights in 2016, fulfilling a third of the consumption market, driving the domestic biodiesel industry to more actively seek counteracting measures to protect its own investments. — The U.S. imported nearly three times more biodiesel and renewable
by Joseph Shin (The Korea Bizwire) “Ttong-bonwi-hwapae” literally translates into “poop standard currency.” And the government is investing 10 billion won ($8.65 million) over the next five years to turn this human waste-to-currency idea into reality in South Korean towns and cities. A pilot project was initially spearheaded by 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, however, possess a unique ability to attack the cellulose fraction
(Renewable Fuels Association/Ethanol Producer Magazine) U.S. exports of distillers grains totaled 11.48 million metric tons (mmt) in 2016, down 10 percent from 2015’s record-high but still the second-highest on record, according to a 10-page summary of 2016 ethanol co-product trade data published today by the Renewable Fuels Association. DDGS exports
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In South Korea, BioAmber and CJ CheilJedang Corporation signed a LOI for a joint venture in China to produce up to 36,000 metric tons of bio-succinic acid per year. It’s not a greenfield. The CJCJ JV involves a retrofit of an existing fermentation plant in
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 of powering vehicles. Scientists have previously converted H2 and CO2
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, habitat, and spawning ground for marine organisms, but only
by Xiaojuan Gao (Platts) The export arbitrage for China ethanol has narrowed to the point where transactions could be occurring very soon, market participants said Friday, citing a combination of factors including increasing international ethanol market prices and government support policies to decrease corn stockpiles. … In US dollar terms, this
by Oh Soo-young (Algae Industry Magazine/Arirang News) Oh Soo-young reports for Arirang News in South Korea that, while algae are damaging local ecosystems, numerous researchers in Korea are turning the crisis into opportunity. The number of patent applications for algae-based technologies has risen to roughly 50 per year – a fifty-fold
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the Digest and BioChannel.TV released “Sustainable Fuels on Troubled Waters”, the Inside True Story of the US Navy’s Great Green Fleet — a documentary profile on the US Navy’s success in driving down the costs of renewable fuel — up to and including
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg) Biodiesel plants idled as shipments from Asia, Argentina jump; Foreign supplies cheaper or cleaner than fuel from Midwest soy — Makers of renewable fuels derived from the vast soybean fields across the American Midwest can’t seem to catch a break. At a time when crops are cheap
(U.S. Grains Council) U.S. Grains Council (USGC) Manager of Ethanol Export Promotion Programs Ashley Kongs presented the roadmap for building global ethanol export demand developed by the organization and its domestic partners, including the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy, during this week’s 2016 Fuel Ethanol Workshop and Expo
by Brooks Hays (UPI) Researchers in South Korea have turned a bathroom into a laboratory for sustainable energy. They’re turning human waste into biofuel. The experimental bathroom features a waterless toilet system that breaks down human waste into a dehydrated and odorless compost-like material. The material is transported to a
by Tom C. Doran (AgriNews) The U.S. Grains Council has long served as an international promoter of corn and other grain exports and has expanded its efforts to include ethanol and dried distillers grains with solubles. The efforts coincide with a growing interest in ethanol in the Asia-Pacific region driven
(Omah.com/Bloomberg) At the Plymouth Energy plant in the heart of the U.S. Corn Belt — where homegrown fuel from grain was supposed to ease American dependence on foreign oil — every drop of ethanol goes to motorists in Brazil. Like many Midwest distillers, Plymouth’s Merrill, Iowa, plant was built a
by Ron Kotrba (Biodiesel Magazine) The U.S. imported a record volume of biomass-based diesel in 2015. … This increase in imports is particularly interesting because 2015 was a year with no forward-looking $1-per-gallon blender’s tax credit, and, for 11 months of the year, no RFS targets were in play. In
by Mario Parker (Bloomberg) Sao Paolo ethanol now 39% more expensive than fuel from Iowa; American glut also spurs exports to China, Philippines, India — At the Plymouth Energy LLC plant in the heart of the U.S. corn belt — where home-grown fuel from grain was supposed to ease American
(Asian Scientist) E. coli, a common gut bacteria, can be engineered to produce biodegradable polymers for use in surgical sutures, among other applications. — A Korean research team has engineered gut bacteria to create non-natural polymers in a biorefinery—allowing various plastics to be made in an environmentally-friendly and sustainable manner. The
by Lee Seo-young (Korea Herald) GS Caltex will begin the construction of a plant for mass-production of biobutanol, a renewable biofuel for cars that can be used as a substitute for gasoline, during the first half of this year, the Korean oil refiner said Thursday. Biobutanol is an alternative fuel
(Biofuels International) South Korea’s TN Energy has entered into an agreement with Lao State Fuel to set up a joint venture (JV) to produce Power Gasoline-branded bioethanol fuel. The JV, to be called Lao K-tech, will be established later this year and it will be located at Dongphosy village in
by Jeffrey Mervis (Science Magazine) Science policy wonks use the ratio of research spending to overall economic activity to judge whether a country is investing enough in innovation. For decades 3% has been the magic number, and Israel and South Korea are seen as technological juggernauts because their investment ratio tops
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Global trade for U.S. ethanol has been trending up in the past decade, becoming an important part of the industry’s growth strategy. — Looking at the numbers, it doesn’t take long to conclude that the U.S. is developing into an ethanol export powerhouse. “As
by Michael Ballaban (Jalopnik) 1st Gear: Criminal Charges Coming Against Volkswagen’s People — We haven’t seen much by the way of actual, personal, criminal consequences for Volkswagen executives, but the first round of charges coming down the pipe might not be for who you think it is, nor from who you
by Barbara Lewis and Kirstin Ridley (Reuters) Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) is unlikely to face U.S.-style fines in Europe over its emissions scandal because of a softer regulatory regime and its home country Germany’s determination to protect its car industry, EU sources and legal experts say. The carmaker has been embroiled in crisis
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who mandates what in biofuels? 64 countries have targets or mandates — but how much where, and when, and what? In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world, looking at the state of biofuels mandates in 64
by Mathew Carr (BloombergBusiness) Markets will help drive emission reductions under Paris deal; Rules needed to ensure markets have environmental integrity — Eighteen nations including the U.S., Japan and Germany will work together to develop international carbon markets to help speed the pace of emission reductions under the Paris climate
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In France, President Obama and French President Hollande, along with a wide range of other top global leaders, are announcing today the launch of “Mission Innovation,” a 20-country initiative to dramatically accelerate public and private global clean energy innovation to address global climate change, provide
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who’s building what, where, now. 29 projects in construction or in commissioning in Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and the Americas Despite low oil prices, first-gen biofuels and advanced biofuels continue to develop, and especially in the developing world. In this report, we
(AgriNews) Distillers dried grains with solubles, a co-product of the ethanol industry, is becoming a more common ingredient in swine diets. However, DDGS can be high in sulfur, and data is limited on the amount of sulfur that pigs can tolerate in the diet. Therefore, researchers at the University of

Leading Bio-economy for Next Decade — Bioenergy has a significant impact on societies throughout the world in the past and continues to do so today. Bioenergy 2016 will showcase the bioenergy research in a global context and will bring together world-class researchers in bioenergy, including academia, policy makers, industrialists
by KSL (Biofuels Digest/Emerging Technologies Division of Lee Enterprises Consulting, Inc.) … Globally it has been recognized that there is an urgent need to create paradigm shifting disruptive technology that would help sustain individual economies – with the goal to sustain life on earth. Events such as the 1973-oil crisis
by Holly Jessen (Ethanol Producer Magazine) An Illinois Department of Agriculture-led tour begins Sept. 21, with stops at a variety of grain-related businesses around the state, including Marquis Energy LLC, a 140 MMgy ethanol plant in Hennepin, Illinois, and Archer Daniels Midland Co.’s facility in Decatur, Illinois, which produces ethanol,
by Chris Reiter (Bloomberg/MSN.com) Volkswagen AG said irregularities on diesel- emission readings extend to 11 million vehicles around the world, forcing the German carmaker to set aside 6.5 billion euros ($7.3 billion) in an initial tally of the potential costs. Volkswagen extended its slide after the announcement, falling as much
by Tom Buis (Growth Energy/Ethanol Producer Magazine) Cleaner burning, higher performing fuels and their nutritious coproducts are valuable at home and abroad, and have the potential to resolve many issues around the globe, writes Tom Buis. — … Growth Energy has partnered with the U.S. Grains Council and the Renewable Fuels
(Stockholm University/Biomass Magazine) A newly discovered family of chemical structures, published in Nature, could increase the value of biogas and natural gas that contains carbon dioxide. The new chemical structures, known as zeolites, have been created by an international team of researchers including Professor Xiaodong Zou and co-workers from the
by Sean Lin (Taipai Times) The EPA said more than 100,000 tonnes of biodiesel per year are made from recycled cooking oil, which have an estimated total value of about NT$3 billion The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) yesterday showcased the manufacturing of biodiesel refined from waste cooking oil, which the
(Yonhap News Agency) GS Caltex Co., South Korea’s second-largest refiner, plans to build a 50 billion won (US$44 million) plant to produce biobutanol, a biofuel, the presidential office said Tuesday. The announcement, which was made as President Park Geun-hye toured a new innovation center in the country’s southwestern area, is
(Sun Star) A Netherlands-based firm is set to pour in P13.5 billion investments in the eastern coast of Zamboanga City. Second district Representative Lilia Nuño said the Van Kessel Inc. is putting up an Ethanol processing plant in the village of Panubigan, 34 kilometers east of City Hall. The firm
by Lais F. Thomaz* (Advanced Biofuels USA) Last week, from February 17 to 21, the 20th National Ethanol Conference “Going Global” was held in Grapevine, Texas, with the participation of several representatives of the ethanol production chain in the States and other countries such as Brazil, Germany, Canada, Italy, Peru,
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … I’m going to make and manage web site about white biotech portal such as biosugar, bioplastic, biorefienry etc. Also, our project team are working on comercializing and developing some biochemicals such as bio BDO, nylon pilot plant in korea through government project funded by MOCIE READ
(Renewable Fuels Association) U.S. ethanol exports reached near-record levels in 2014, sending 836 million gallons of ethanol worth $2.1 billion to international markets, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) explained today in its new publication “2014 U.S. Ethanol Exports and Imports: Statistical Summary.” The publication offers a succinct overview of the
by Tom Bryan (Ethanol Producer Magazine) After halting distillers grains imports late last year, the world’s top DDGS buyer is poised to resume business, but on what terms? The prospect of China reissuing distillers grains import permits bodes well for the product’s American exporters, but Randy Ives isn’t ready to
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The U.S. Grains Council is teaming up with Growth Energy, the Renewable Fuels Association and the USDA Foreign Agriculture Service on a new four-way partnership in ethanol export market development. There’s a big difference between trade and market development, says Tom Sleight, CEO
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Who mandates what in biofuels? 64 countries have targets or mandates — but how much where, and when, and what? In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world, looking at the state of biofuels mandates in
by Mark Hay (Good Magazine) At some point in your life, Escherichia coli has probably brought you to your knees topray to the porcelain god. Common bacteria that often live harmlessly in the guts of most animals, a few strains of it can cause anything from food poisoning to death
by Elizabeth Hsu (Taipai Times) … At a time when most industrialized countries have found bright solutions for dealing with waste cooking oil, Taiwan seems to be stuck in the dark ages, with unethical businesses showing that they are willing to illegally repurpose such oil for human consumption to earn
(Navigant Research) Stop-start capability anticipated to be the most important innovation in improving fuel efficiency, report concludes A new report from Navigant Research analyzes the emerging global market for technologies that improve fuel economy, including global market forecasts for light-duty vehicle sales, segmented by powertrain, region, and number of cylinders,
by Allan Koay (The Star Online) The Algae Research Lab in Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, smells like the sea. … Prof Dr Phang Siew Moi, director of the university’s Institute Of Ocean And Earth Sciences, and her colleagues and students have been researching the properties of red algae as well
by Mario Parker (The Washington Post/Bloomberg) The U.S. is adding ethanol to the list of fuels it dominates in world markets. Exports of the additive derived from corn rose 31 percent this year to the highest level since 2011, meeting demand from South Korea to Persian Gulf oil producers. The
(Growth Energy) Growth Energy participated in a market development mission with the U.S. Grains Council and the Renewable Fuels Association to explore export opportunities for U.S. ethanol in Panama and Peru. Alex Marquis, Logistics Manager of Marquis Energy, represented Growth Energy. The team joined a Department of Commerce Renewable Energy
by Christopher Doering (Des Moines Register) Purdue University researchers said Wednesday they have discovered the structure of the enzyme that makes cellulose, a finding that could make it easier to break down plant materials used to make biofuels and other products. The study could one day help researchers redesign cellulose –
(RIA Novosti) Shifting to a low-carbon economy over the next 15 years could save worldwide financial and environmental costs, a report from the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate said on Tuesday. “The next 15 years will be critical, as the global economy undergoes a deep structural transformation that
(The Rakyat Post) Previously ranked as Asia’s top diesel importer, now No 3 Indonesia is expected to take a third less of the fuel this year as demand from mining falters and biodiesel use in transport and industry grows with a mandate implemented in January. With the government also aiming for
by Cindy Zimmerman (DomesticFuel.com) The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is working on promoting exports of U.S. ethanol through a partnership between USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Service, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “We’ve been working since late March, early April to determine which markets we’re going to do market
by Rodrigo Orihuela (Bloomberg) Abengoa SA (ABG/P), the Spanish renewable energy company investing in biofuels, is in talks with Japanese car manufacturers and soft-drink makers to help them develop products ranging from bottles to chemicals. “All types of companies — automotive, consumers — are asking us to collaborate to develop
by Ann Lewis (Renewable Fuels Association) U.S. ethanol shipments in January rocketed to 86.2 million gallons (mg), marking the highest monthly export volume since December 2011, according to government data released last week. Exports were up a third from December 2013, while imports remained sparse, meaning the United States was
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) … “You will never have enough affordable hydrogen.” Perhaps that is the attractor in the news from little-known Solarvest Bioenergy, when they announced third party confirmation of their bio-hydrogen expression system following the successful completion of a six month NSERC Engage project at the Université de Montréal, a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of biofuels mandates and targets around the world, looking at the state of biofuels mandates in 62 countries. The bulk of mandates continue to come from the EU-27, where the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) specified a
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In the world of chemists, they are known as the C4s, and they are a target these days for just about anyone who can figure out a way to make them. Over on the petrochemical side, along has come the rise of low-cost liquid natural gas,
by ANI (Yahoo! News) …”It is thought that Jatropha’s future lies in further improvement of Jatropha for large-scale production on marginal, non-food croplands through breeding and/or biotechnology,” John E. Carlson, professor of molecular genetics at Penn State, said. “The more that is known about the genetic basis of Jatropha’s key attributes
(The Jakarta Post) PT Goca Enc, a subsidiary of a South Korean company, plans to build a biofuel processing plant and a biofuel-fired power plant in Pidie Jaya regency, Aceh. Goca Enc president director Jang Eun Seog said the power plant, which would have a capacity of 10 megawatts, would
by Kelly Davis (Renewable Fuels Association) As part of the RFA’s commitment to increasing ethanol export markets, I recently had the unique opportunity to join the U.S. Grains Council on a trade mission to South Korea and Japan. We visited Seoul and Tokyo, where we discussed U.S. ethanol policy, import
by Adam Armour (Itawamba County Times) Work on the proposed Fulton ethanol plant has come to a standstill. But does that mean the project’s been canceled? … After the project’s announcement in 2009, two years of securing finances from across the world and site clearing in preparation for construction, work
by Jane Yu (Orange County Business Journal) Irvine-based renewable fuels maker BlueFire Renewables Inc. has halted construction work on a plant planned for Fulton, Miss. plant. BlueFire converts non-food resources, such as trash, wood waste and other agricultural residues, into ethanol. It also has a subsidiary called SucreSource LLC in
by Constantine Arcoumanis, Choongsik Bae, Roy Crookes, Eiji Kinoshita (Fuel/Science Direct) This paper reviews the properties and application of di-methyl ether (DME) as a candidate fuel for compression-ignition engines. DME is produced by the conversion of various feedstock such as natural gas, coal, oil residues and bio-mass. To determine the technical
by Emily Bruns (Ashton Gasette) In an effort to evolve with the constant changes and challenges within a $50 billion industry, Rochelle’s Illinois River Energy ethanol plant began producing and industrial corn oil on Nov. 27. This corn oil byproduct, which is derived from the company’s ethanol-making process, can now
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) There’s only one complete region for biofuels where abundant feedstock, lack of oil & gas production, rising energy demand and supportive government policy come together — and that is Asia. We’re never quite sure which factor is the most important in Asia’s rising focus on
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Brazil, India, the US, China and the EU point the way towards a 60 billion gallon biofuels market by 2022 – but can the capacity be built, and can the mandates survive pressure from opponents? In Florida, the Digest today releases its annual review of
(Science Daily/The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology)…Utilizing systems metabolic engineering, a Korean research team at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) has succeeded in demonstrating an optimized process to increase butanol production by generating an engineered bacterium. …Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee at the Department
by Susanne Retka Schill (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The next five years—the often scoffed mantra of cellulosic ethanol developers—is getting whittled down to the next year or two. A milestone was reached this year when Blue Sugars Corp. got the first cellulosic renewable identification number (RIN) issued by the U.S. EPA. Another
by Derek Markham (Treehugger) …A team of researchers in South Korea have developed a new process for converting the lipids in sewage sludge into biodiesel, at not only a lower cost than conventional biodiesel, but with much higher yields. The team, working out of the Research Institute of Industrial Science
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Jobs, global expansion, proteins vs fuels, new R&D funding – all the big issues are under debate both on and off the floor at the Algae Biomass Summit. …Jobs Dr. John Benemann projected on stage that, today, the global algae industry directly employs 10,000 people
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) …While the economic growth in China has been drawing virtually all the headlines in recent years, the “Tiger” economies of Southeast and South Asia have been fast-growing for a long time, and with resources including palm and cassava waste and sugarcane bagasse – not to
(National Science Foundation/Biodiesel Magazine) Researchers contend that manufactured nanomaterials—now popular in consumer products such as shampoos, gels, hair dyes and sunscreens—may be detrimental to the quality and yield of crops, as reported in a paper in the online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Manufactured nanomaterials (MNMs) are man-made
by Jae Hur (Bloomberg) South Korea’s top grain importer has urged the U.S. to consider cutting the use of corn and soybeans in biofuel production to ensure stable food supplies as prices soar amid the worst U.S. drought in decades. …The U.S. supplies over 80 percent of South Korea’s total
(SucreSource/PRNewsWire) First Cellulose-to-Sugar Plant Sale and Partnership SucreSource, a wholly owned subsidiary of BlueFire Renewables, Inc., has signed agreements with GS Caltex, a Korean petroleum company, to build a cellulose to sugar plant in Korea. “This agreement validates SucreSource’s business model of selling its cellulosic sugars and, as in this
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) …Your calls and emails are always the highlight of our days. Most questions can be answered johnny-on-the-spot. Some are still out there and well worth arguing over. Here are the Top 10 that are still unanswered. …1. Subsidies and tax credits. What’s the US Congress
(MarketWatch) Mario Garnero, Chairman of Brasilinvest, Brazil’s pioneer merchant bank, stated that BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China) can no longer be simply described as ‘Emerging Markets’. Their economic, political and energy status make them ‘Powerhouse Nations’. The Chairman of Brasilinvest addressed audiences last week at the Council on
by Donnelle Eller (Des Moines Register) Development authority to weigh help for feed additive firm’s Fort Dodge plan Iowa’s new public-private economic development authority begins with a bang today, considering incentives for a $324 million project in Fort Dodge from a South Korean company. The Iowa Economic Development Authority Board will
by Kiyohiko Igarashi, Takayuki Uchihashi, Anu Koivula, Masahisa Wada, Satoshi Kimura, Tetsuaki Okamoto, Merja Penttilä, Toshio Ando, and Masahiro Samejima (Science Magazine) A deeper mechanistic understanding of the saccharification of cellulosic biomass could enhance the efficiency of biofuels development. We report here the real-time visualization of crystalline cellulose degradation by individual cellulase enzymes through use of an
by Ismira Lutfia (Jakarta Globe) The millions of tons of fibrous residue produced by palm oil plantations across the country could soon become a major source of raw material for renewable fuel. Over the past year, scientists from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI) and Seoul’s Korea International Cooperation
(PRNewsWire/Viaspace) – VIASPACE Inc., a clean energy company growing Giant King™ Grass as a low-carbon, renewable biomass crop and its subsidiary VIASPACE Green Energy Inc., provided results of testing of Giant King Grass energy pellets by the Korea Forest Research Institute (KFRI) which conducts pellet testing, and is developing pellet standards
(Arirang News) Marine plants are being cultivated in waters off the southwestern coast of Korea. This is seaweed named gracilaria, which was used generations ago to treat fevers. However, nowadays, this plant is primarily used as a raw material in cosmetic goods and healthy foodstuffs. …Gracilaria, which grows in both
(LanzaTech) LanzaTech has signed a memorandum of understanding with Posco, one of the largest steel producers in the world, covering the implementation of its gas fermentation technology to convert the steel maker’s flue gases to ethanol and other value added products. Posco is a Korean conglomerate with interests in steel, power, energy, engineering
(People’s Daily) A Chinese science academy in east China’s Shandong Province has clinched a deal to introduce photobioreactor technology from Chosun University in the Republic of Korea (ROK) to aid the former’s research on mass producing oil-rich algae for biodiesel production. Yang Hetong, head of the bio-research institute with the
by Manny Galvez (The Philippean Star) The government plans to develop a $5-million (P220-million) ethanol farm at a 100-hectare site in the province using the Korean technology of extracting ethanol from seaweed. Sen. Edgardo Angara told The STAR that the Department of Science and Technology and the Congressional Commission on Science
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Scott Carpenter once noted that we know more about the heavens than the sea — but for biofuels, there is every urgent reason to look carefully to salt-friendly projects that can utilize brackish water, or marshes, or the abundant three-dimensional world of the oceans. Virtually
(Popular Science) …But a collaboration of Korean and Californian researchers wanted to take raw electricity directly from algae themselves by harvesting electrons. Using the common Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a test subject, the researchers applied what’s known as an overvoltage — a tiny current that shocks the cells into motion. If