In North Dakota, a discovery by researchers at North Dakota State University, Fargo, holds scientific promise that could lead to a new type of plastic that can be broken down when exposed to a specific type of light and is reduced back to molecules, which could then be used to create new plastic. The research […]
In the UK, the University of East Anglia is researching the rate of electrical transfer inside bacterial proteins to improve “bio-batteries” for portable technology such as mobile phones and laptops powered by human or animal waste. The study has found that the rate of transfer depends on the orientation and proximity of electrically conductive ‘stepping […]
In Iowa, the US agriculture secretary told the Ames Tribune that the USDA will provide Iowa State University with a $1 million grant to develop bio-based paint, coating and adhesive products based on acrylated glycerol. The grant is part of an overall $4 million research grant package for biofuels and biomaterials. The third and final […]
In the Netherlands, AkzoNobel has joined forces with SuikerUnie, Rabobank, Deloitte, Investment and Development Agency for the Northern Netherlands (NOM), Groningen Seaports, and the Province of Groningen, to investigate the possibility of producing chemicals from beet-derived sugar feedstock. The parties have asked Deloitte to perform a feasibility study to provide an independent critical review and […]
In Illinois, researchers at the University of Illinois have published a study identifying yield zones for three major bioenergy crops. “The unique aspect of our study is that it provides detailed information about where these crops can grow, in terms of their location and stability over time, which has not been done in the past,” […]
In Denmark, Gas Technology Institute (GTI) and Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) have signed a Collaboration Agreement for energy research and development, education and training, and information sharing. The initiative could include mutual assistance for technology development, technical consulting, joint research efforts, and development of training programs–among other efforts—in topics ranging from unconventional gas supply, to […]
In Spain, researchers from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and the Universidad Miguel Hernández of Elche have found a way to increase biomass production by using sewage sludge as energy crop fertilizers. The Agroenergy Group from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) and researchers of the Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH) of Elche have carried out […]
In Illinois, the potential for producing butanol as a biofuel has become a bit more promising, thanks to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists and their partners. Work by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) chemical engineer Nasib Qureshi suggests that barley straw and corn stover—both agricultural byproducts—could be cost-effective feedstocks for producing “biobutanol.” ARS is USDA’s […]
In Japan, researchers at Mie University have run a test vehicle on biobutanol produced from waste oranges and waste from producing orange juice. The fuel could be ideal for running agricultural equipment. The process used can produce 20 milliliters of biobutanol from about 3kg of oranges.
In Denmark, researchers at Novozymes and Roskilde University say the artificial enzyme they have jointly developed is almost twice as effective as the enzymes found in nature being used to create cellulosic ethanol. Enzymes for cellulosic ethanol are typically very expensive but doubling the production capacity could help to bring down the cost of production […]
