Author Archive: Jim Lane

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Circular Bossa Nova: The Global Longing for Nature’s Leavings as the Source of Energy

Circular Bossa Nova: The Global Longing for Nature’s Leavings as the Source of Energy

October 6, 2025 |

If a Martian ever lands on Earth, I hope the landing finds the beaches of southern Brazil. So much would feel familiar to our Mars-based friends: the red-oxide terra roxa soil, a culture that reveres nature and reuses waste for energy — just as fossil-free Mars must do to survive. And what a shock to […]

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A ‘green’ perception of CO2 – when derived from biofuels and other sources

A ‘green’ perception of CO2 – when derived from biofuels and other sources

October 6, 2025 |

By Sam A. Rushing, President, Advanced Cryogenics, Ltd. Special to The Digest Yes, carbon dioxide as a green chemical – however, what about the effects on the environment and economy? Carbon dioxide is ever – more a green – natured agent when applied in a growing number of industries. Further, it is often difficult to […]

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Whip It Good! 
India’s Isobutanol 
Remix for Diesel

Whip It Good! 
India’s Isobutanol 
Remix for Diesel

October 6, 2025 |

Gevo, Praj in focus as India tips a blending strategy to complement biodiesel, renewable diesel When a problem comes along, you must whip it. That was Devo’s advice in 1980 — and, four decades later, it’s exactly what India’s energy strategists are doing with a stubborn technical groove called diesel blending. Ethanol, the star of India’s […]

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The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to High T and P Characterization of SAF

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to High T and P Characterization of SAF

October 2, 2025 |

This project advances SAF qualification by using unique instruments to measure fuel properties (surface tension, density, bulk modulus) at actual turbine engine temperatures and pressures. Partners include NREL, Georgia Tech/GE Aerospace, ANL, and Washington State University. Milestones completed include measuring critical fuel properties for simulations. Future work involves finalizing 2D GC methods and pressurized DSC.

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The Fast-Breaking, Full-Court Pressing, Outside-Shooting Bioeconomy

The Fast-Breaking, Full-Court Pressing, Outside-Shooting Bioeconomy

October 2, 2025 |

Once upon a time, the biofuels game was all about the Big Dude in the low post. Rotterdam was his home court, and the rules were simple: park yourself near the basket, take the handouts, and drop in the easy points — mandates, subsidies, credits, waivers. Year after year, the same towering franchises dominated the […]

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The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to High Pressure DI for Propane-DME Light-Duty Engines

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to High Pressure DI for Propane-DME Light-Duty Engines

October 1, 2025 |

Technological advances include a 1500-bar High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) with 50% efficiency gain and high-flow injectors reducing hydraulic delay by over 50%. Partners are WM International Engineering (PI), IIT, ANL, and Diversified CPC International. All BP2 milestones were met, including successful 200-hour durability testing, system integration onto a Hyundai engine, and attaining the interim […]

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The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to High Efficiency HD Natural Gas Engine Development

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to High Efficiency HD Natural Gas Engine Development

September 30, 2025 |

This project focuses on developing a high-efficiency natural gas engine using CFD to optimize intake ports, high compression ratio pistons, and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). Cummins is the sole participant. Key achievements include demonstrating 41% Brake Thermal Efficiency (BTE) and turbine inlet temperature below the 850°C target. All Budget Period 2 milestones, including engine design […]

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The Bioeconomy 500 for 2025 – outstanding leaders of the bioeconomy’s development and deployment

The Bioeconomy 500 for 2025 – outstanding leaders of the bioeconomy’s development and deployment

September 30, 2025 |

In Florida, The Daily Digest announced the Bioeconomy 500 for 2025, which recognizes individuals for their leadership contributions to the bioeconomy’s development and project deployment. The Bioeconomy 500 honors scientists, engineers, policy makers, financiers, project developers, feedstock pioneers, offtakers, advocates and supply-chain and distribution partners. All Digest subscribers were eligible to nominate candidates of their […]

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The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Integrated Simulation of HD Diesel RDE

The Digest’s 2025 Multi-Slide Guide to Integrated Simulation of HD Diesel RDE

September 29, 2025 |

This project developed and validated CFD and 1D/2D/3D aftertreatment models, integrating them into GT-Suite using a new QSExplicit solver approach to simulate heavy-duty real driving emissions. Partners include WVU, ANL, ORNL, Gamma Technology, Convergent Science Inc, and Navistar. Key milestones achieved include 100% completion of Budget Period 1 (BP1) and preliminary integration of 1D engine […]

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The Pyran Packers: The Monomers of the Midway Plan a Season of Biotransformation

The Pyran Packers: The Monomers of the Midway Plan a Season of Biotransformation

September 29, 2025 |

In August 1919, Curly Lambeau and George Calhoun met above a Green Bay newspaper office. They didn’t have a stadium, or money, or even uniforms. What they had was persistence — and a sponsor from Indian Packing, whose name stuck. Nobody expected much. Yet from that hat-passing start, the Packers became the only small-town team […]

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