In Texas, a University of North Texas Regents Professor is questioning decades-old assumptions in plant biochemistry to find better ways of storing and using lipids, the energy molecules found in all plants. “Biofuels are the future and lipids are the key,” said Kent Chapman, the UNT Professor. “The same energy molecules a plant uses to […]
In Washington, poplar trees are widely used in commercial products, but, like several other tree species, they emit gases to the atmosphere that worsen air pollution and alter climate. Now field trials in Oregon and Arizona show that poplar trees, which emit trace amounts of the gas isoprene, can be genetically modified to leave air […]
In Sweden, forest waste containing lignocellulose is a material that microorganisms do not break down very easily. It takes a very long time for them to decompose naturally and in the industrial processes used to break down waste, microorganisms are inhibited by toxic substances and are released from the reactors when the remnants of the […]
In New Jersey, researchers from Rutgers University have developed a new process that could make it much cheaper to produce biofuels such as ethanol from plant waste and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Their approach, featuring an ammonia-salt based solvent that rapidly turns plant fibers into sugars needed to make ethanol, works well at close […]
In Japan, researchers from Tokyo Tech and Taiwan Tech recently found an efficient way to put surplus glycerol to good use. While the electrochemical conversion of glycerol to other more valuable organic compounds, such as dihydroxyacetone (DHA), has been studied for years, existing approaches require the use of precious metals, namely platinum, gold, and silver. […]
In Germany, researchers at the Ruhr-Universität Bochum found a way to develop simpler synthetic adipates which are required for the manufacturing of perfumes, lubricants and active pharmaceutical ingredients. So far, the reaction to produce adipates has only been possible using a complicated, multi-stage process. Now it only takes one step. Adipates are made from the […]
In Belgium, Devan Chemicals will launch two renewable textile finishing products at industry trade show Heimtextil. The offering includes a renewable antimicrobial, dubbed BI-OME natural, and phase-change material, called Tones of Cool Bio. BI-OME includes linseed oil and chrysanthemum. Devan says the product leverages plants’ own antimicrobial defense systems. “As known, the bedding industry and […]
In Colorado, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory added three senior-level execs to the team this week, completing its leadership team. Julie Baker is now deputy laboratory director and chief operating officer for the lab. She succeeds Bobi Garrett, who retired at the end of 2019. Already employed at NREL as associate laboratory director for Facilities […]
In California, UCLA researchers alongside researchers from Rice University and UC Santa Barbara have developed a more sustainable method of producing syngas as the result of a newly developed catalyst: copper with a few atoms of the precious metal ruthenium exposed to visible light. Previous methods would result in the buildup of coke thereby minimizing the […]
In Delaware, the Delaware Innovation Space’s First Fund program, providing early stage science startups with critical seed and pre-seed funding and access to business building expertise, community of experts, core programs, scientific equipment, and extensive multi-use laboratories, can now each secure an investment of up to $150,000 from the First Fund Program to fund their […]
