Category: Research

Genera Energy, University of Tennessee develop switchgrass processing tech

Genera Energy, University of Tennessee develop switchgrass processing tech

November 25, 2013 |

In Tennessee, Genera Energy’s partnership with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture  for bulk-handling and processing of switchgrass has come to a close after $5m in funding since 2009. The partnership was able to develop systems based on material characteristics such as weight, particle size, bulk density, moisture content, among other factors. The team […]

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Scripps develops improved method for biofuel production from marine algae

Scripps develops improved method for biofuel production from marine algae

November 21, 2013 |

In California, researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego have developed a method for greatly enhancing biofuel production in tiny marine algae. As reported in this week’s online edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Scripps graduate student Emily Trentacoste led the development of a method to genetically engineer a […]

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Sandia National Lab develop advanced biocatalyst technologies

Sandia National Lab develop advanced biocatalyst technologies

November 20, 2013 |

In California, researchers at Sandia National Laboratories will use their expertise in protein expression, enzyme engineering and high-throughput assays as part of a multiproject, $34 million effort by the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) aimed at developing advanced biocatalyst technologies that can convert natural gas to liquid fuel for transportation. The ARPA-E program is Reducing […]

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UC Davis researcher says Brazilian palm expansion could be worse than diesel

UC Davis researcher says Brazilian palm expansion could be worse than diesel

November 19, 2013 |

In California, researchers at UC Davis have determined that strict controls need to be put in place to avoid massive CO2 emissions resulting from palm oil expansion in Brazil. Unless oil palm development remains on already deforested land, the study says the GHG emissions of the new biofuels could be higher than fossil diesel.

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University of Nottingham gets $2.25 to study biofuels from rice straw

University of Nottingham gets $2.25 to study biofuels from rice straw

November 19, 2013 |

In the UK, researchers from the University of Nottingham and the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology will collaborate to engineer enzymes, bacteria and bioconversion processes that will help to produce advanced biofuels from waste rice straw. The project, led by Professor Nigel Minton and Dr Syed Shams Yazdani, will receive $2.25 million from […]

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Missouri project to heighten oleic acid content in soybeans

Missouri project to heighten oleic acid content in soybeans

November 18, 2013 |

In Missouri, a research effort to increase the amount of oleic acid found in soybean oil is already underway after the FDA announced its conclusion that trans fats are unsafe in food at the University of Missouri. Developing high oleic acid content traits in soybeans would avoid genetically modifying the beans, and could benefit the […]

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Oak Ridge researchers ID forces changing plant structures during pretreatment

Oak Ridge researchers ID forces changing plant structures during pretreatment

November 14, 2013 |

In Tennessee, researchers studying more effective ways to convert woody plant matter into biofuels at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have identified fundamental forces that change plant structures during pretreatment processes used in the production of bioenergyThe research team, which published its results in Green Chemistry, set out to decipher the inner […]

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Danish researchers find power and fertilizer from show

Danish researchers find power and fertilizer from show

November 13, 2013 |

In Denmark, Biomass DTU, DONG Energy and Bregentved Gods estate intend to show that agricultural biomass can be used both as a renewable energy source and as a substitute for costly fertilizer. Thermal gasification converts biomass into a combustible gas in an oxygen-poor environment, the bi-product being bio-ash. The gas can then be used to […]

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Lumenera supports child scientist in her algae research

Lumenera supports child scientist in her algae research

November 12, 2013 |

In Canada, Lumenera is pleased to offer its support to Canada’s next generation of life science researchers by providing high-end digital scientific imaging solutions to 13 year old multiple gold medal winner Mikaela Preston. Mikaela’s award winning project involved research into enhancing Biofuel production through the mixture of multiple algae strains, and she contacted Lumenera […]

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Pennsylvania high school students produce algae biodiesel in own bioreactor

Pennsylvania high school students produce algae biodiesel in own bioreactor

November 11, 2013 |

In Pennsylvania, even high school students are now making algae-based biodiesel. Students at Daniel Boone High School in Reading recently presented their research showing the entire production chain of algae-based fuels from growing and harvesting to drying and processing into oil. The kids hope to soon produce enough fuel to run the school’s garden maintenance […]

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