In Washington, D.C., researchers with the BioEnergy Science Center (BESC) genetically modified switchgrass to produce less lignin to improve ethanol conversion and found that the long-term effects of the modified lignin had no negative impacts on the soil. The study looked at the impact on soil over two to five years and concluded that there […]
In Alabama, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected Southern Research for an award of up to $5.9 million to advance production of high-performance, low-cost carbon fibers from biomass. The DOE award will fund development of a multi-step catalytic process for conversion of sugars from non-food biomass to acrylonitrile – a key precursor in […]
In Colorado, a study from Colorado State University finds new promise for biofuels produced from switchgrass, a non-edible native grass that grows in many parts of North America. Scientists used modeling to simulate various growing scenarios, and found a climate footprint ranging from -11 to 10 grams of carbon dioxide per mega-joule — the standard […]
In Armenia, the new Innovation Center for Microbiological Biotechnology and Biofuel at the Faculty of Biology of Yerevan State University was officially opened following two years of development to ensure a center of excellence where the best personnel, using the best equipment and the latest technologies could inspire and train the next generation of researchers. […]
In Illinois, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) awarded the University of Illinois a $10.6 million, five-year grant to transform two of the most productive crops in America into sustainable sources of biodiesel and biojet fuel. The new research project Renewable Oil Generated with Ultra-productive Energycane–or ROGUE–kicks off on Feb. 25 with a team meeting held […]
In Germany, project greenGain, which was funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union, completed their study of herbaceous and woody biomass from landscape conservation and maintenance work (LCMW) for energy production as an alternative to the cultivation of energy plants that can compete for food or nature conservation. The project showed […]
In Kenya, new research from the Stockholm Environment Institute looks at mechanisms and indicators for assessing the impact of biofuel feedstock production on ecosystem services. Biofuel feedstock production can be a significant driver of landscape modification, ecosystem change, and biodiversity loss. There is a growing body of literature that shows how biofuel landscapes provide various […]
In Germany, University of Rostock researchers demonstrates in current research results that off-road engines conforming to exhaust emission category EU Stage IV are suitable for operation with pure biodiesel. The research project at the University of Rostock shows the suitability of B100 at an EU Stage IV engine for industry and agriculture. Special attention was […]
In Wisconsin, building on the success of 10 years of investigation into the production of renewable fuels from plants, the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), led by the University of Wisconsin–Madison, recently embarked on a new mission: to develop sustainable alternatives to transportation fuels and products currently derived from petroleum. On Feb. 18 at […]
In the UK, an international team of researchers, including scientists from the University of York, has discovered a set of enzymes found in fungi that are capable of breaking down one of the main components of wood. The enzymes could now potentially be used to sustainably convert wood biomass into valuable chemical commodities such as […]
