In California, The Energy Biosciences Institute, a partnership between UC Berkeley and BP, has been awarded its first intellectual property patent entitled “Methods and compositions for improving sugar transport, mixed sugar fermentation, and production of biofuels”. The research team includes UC Berkeley faculty, University of Illinois faculty, graduate and postgraduate students, and BP scientists working […]
In Oklahoma, researchers at Oklahoma State University have published the first analysis of a genome of rumen fungus, organisms that reside in the gut of ruminant animals and are remarkably efficient at digesting plant biomass. The team’s genomic and experimental analyses indicate the fungus efficiently degrades a wide range of non-crop plant materials, such as […]
In Canada, the Climate Change and Emissions Management Corporation is funding three new initiatives through its Biological Greenhouse Gas Management Program, and is managed by Alberta Innovates Bio Solutions. The first project, through the University of Calgary, will use filters containing naturally occurring microbes that live on methane gas to reduce low-volume methane emissions at […]
In the UK, researchers at the University of York, University of Portsmouth and the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory have used advanced biochemical analysis and x-ray imaging to identify a new enzyme to convert woody biomass into liquid biofuel. The enzyme is produced by gribbles, tiny marine wood-borers often responsible for destroying seaside wooden piers. […]
In Brazil, the government plans to invest $2.85 billion in renewable energy and biofuel technology research. The funds will assist companies like Bunge Ltd. and Petroleo Brasileiro SA to develop high-margin chemicals and increase ethanol output. Brazil seeks to be a leader in next generation biofuels development after a decade of underinvestment in research.
In Massachusetts, the University of Massachusetts reports that researchers have found a new way to make p-xylene from lignocellulosic biomass. The researchers reached a 90% yield, which they report is the highest yield accomplished to date. The UMass article quotes chemical engineering researcher Paul Dauenhauer as stating, “The biomass-derived p-xylene can be mixed with petroleum-based […]
In California, VG Energy, an agricultural biotech company, announced a strategic alliance with DAK Renewable Research to conduct field trials using LipidMax to increase the corn oil yield. DAK Renewable Research headquartered in Brandon, South Dakota brings agricultural innovations together with investors. It is primarily focused on developing viable and cost-effective green energy solutions. DAK is providing […]
In Illinois, two researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a greener method to pre-treat miscanthus using butadiene sulfone in the presence of water. The butadiene sulfone can be recovered at potentially high yields and can be re-used after pretreatment. Existing commercial availability of production and recovery of butadiene sulfone means the technological breakthrough […]
In Illinois, the Bioprocessing Research Laboratory has been granted $20 million to start construction from the state’s Capital Development Board. Groundbreaking on the planned BRL facility is expected fall of 2013, with completion expected in 18 months. It is meant to help bridge the gap between laboratory work and commercial application.
In Norway, a SINTEF project led by senior scientist Øyvind Skreiberg is transforming the chopped-off branches and tops of felled spruce trees into a fine powder that is then pressed into high-energy pellets. This contains about 70% of the original mass, while keeping 90% of its energy. On its way through the highly insulated steel […]
