In Massachusetts, findings from a new study reveal some of the basic tools used by a specific microbe to break down lignocellulose. This work provides insight into how industrial processes might achieve degradation during biofuel production, and how side processes such as hydrogen production might be harnessed as well. One candidate species that can use […]
In Kenya, small-holder farmers in Kenya have the capacity and desire to play a major role in the scale-up of biofuel production from agroforestry, according to a Penn State forest economist, who led a study in the East African country. Through the production of oil for energy and co-products, such as animal feed and organic […]
In Germany, scientists have developed a bioprocess that enables conversion of acid whey, a dairy by-product, without the use of additional chemicals. Researchers from the Center of Applied Geosciences at the University of Tübingen and international colleagues used microbiome cultures similar to those in the human gut. The new bio-oil can be used in animal […]
In Washington state, a University of Washington team is trying to make poplar a viable competitor by testing the production of younger poplar trees that could be harvested more frequently — after only two or three years — instead of the usual 10- to 20-year cycle. The team is the first to try converting the […]
In Colorado, the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) established a novel catalytic method to produce renewable acrylonitrile using 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3-HP), which can be biologically produced from sugars. This hybrid biological-catalytic process offers an alternative to the conventional petrochemical production method and achieves unprecedented acrylonitrile yields. Researchers were able to achieve a 98% […]
In New York state, consumers across the world enjoy Greek yogurt for its taste, texture, and protein-packed punch. Reaching that perfect formula, however, generates large volumes of food waste in the form of liquid whey. Now researchers in the United States and Germany have found a way to use bacteria to turn the leftover sugars […]
In Missouri, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have received a $3.9 million grant from the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop bacteria that manufacture renewable biofuels — energy sources made from plants or microbes. The researchers, representing a collaboration of investigators at the School of Medicine and the School of Engineering & Applied […]
In Colorado, researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory have gained new insights into how glycosylation—the natural attachment of sugars to proteins—affects a key cellulase enzyme. This work could be used to improve enzyme performance to better break down biomass and convert waste plant matter to renewable fuels and products. Namely, […]
In Pennsylvania, WESA-FM reports that industrial hemp acres could increase by 100-fold to 5,000 acres next year from just 50 acres this year as research at Penn State looks to continues to scale up, looking at uses included biofuels and cooking oil. Research has so far shown promising results when farmers plant it after harvesting […]
In California, a new study co-authored by Propel and consulting firm ICF shows that consumers will make low carbon purchasing decisions if given the opportunity to do so and that low carbon liquid fuels must play a more significant role to meet California’s 2020 and 2030 carbon reduction goals. The research also shows the current […]
