In California, researchers at the Center for Energy Research at UC San Diego recently demonstrated the best performance for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) operating directly on ethanol without external reformation. A peak power density of + 400 mW/cm2 was achieved at 800°C with air and a fuel containing 7.3 volume percent ethanol, a power […]
In Massachusetts, Agrivida has launched its first significant field production of research materials in USDA-permitted field trials. “Agrivida has created a proprietary INzyme molecular engineering technology that allows the renewable chemicals, fuels and other industries to grow a substrate of non-food energy crops that contain dormant enzymes, “said Agrivida’s Dr. Michael Lanahan. “These enzymes accumulate in […]
In a follow-up to yesterday’s “The 13 oddest and strangest biofuels feedstocks,” Inventure’s chemical engineers, based at the University of Alabama’s business incubator are exploring the use of kudzu as a feedstock for ethanol production. The vines, which are spreading across the South, can be turned into a sugary syrupy-like substance that will then be […]
In Hawaii, the University of Hawaii has received a $6m federal grant to research the conversion of grass into biofuel. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye said in a press release that such sustainable energy projects are “vital to the health of our environment and our economy.” He says the project will ease Hawaii off its dependence […]
In Wisconsin, two researchers received a five year award of $750,000 from the U.S Department of Energy. Jennifer Reed works on the conversion of lake-based strains of cyanobacteria into biobutanol, while Garret Suen’s research aims to create cellulosic ethanol by using bacteria found in cow rumens.
In Malaysia, twelve tons of waste oil palm tree biomass is en route from Malaysia to a plant in Italy for tests on its suitability for conversion into industrial sugar. Successful results could one day result in commercial scale production of high-value green chemicals from the non-edible residue of Malaysia’s vast oil palm plantations.
In Canada, researchers at the University of Saskatchewan have developed polysaccharides that act as “molecular sponges” that can removed water from ethanol so that dehydration becomes a physical process that requires no chemicals and can be done at room temperature.
In Texas, researchers at AgriLife Research have completed two of three phases of feeding trials on Angus beef cattle using algae co-products leftover from biodiesel production. Experiments included trials with algae in both powder form as well as in raw form replacing dried distillers grains or cottonseed meal as protein supplements. The cattle ate the […]
In Minnesota, a biofuel powered, carbon-neutral locomotive engine may become a reality, as the Coalition for Sustainable Rail has unveiled their plans for the development of such technology. The coalition, comprised of the University of Minnestora’s Institute on the Environment and Sustainable Rail International, plans on using torrefied biomass (bifocal) to create an engine which […]
In Massachusetts, research teams from Harvard and MIT have been working on the development of a plastic bottle that ketchup cannot stick to. Over at MIT, the team has developed a bottle coated with “LiquiGlide,” which MIT PhD candidate Dave Smith told Yahoo is “kind of a structured liquid — it’s rigid like a solid, […]
