Category: Research

Gut bacteria could turn sugarcane waste into valuable bioproducts

September 24, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Brazil, researchers are exploring Clostridium bacteria as biological “factories” capable of converting sugarcane-processing residues and biofuel byproducts into higher-value fuels and chemicals. A review published in Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts examines substrates including sugarcane bagasse, vinasse and crude glycerol, and products such as n-butanol, biohydrogen, 1,3-propanediol and butyric acid. The approach could help […]

University of Tennessee research explores converting CO2 into fuels and chemicals

September 23, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Tennessee, University of Tennessee researchers have been using captured carbon dioxide as a feedstock for producing useful fuels and chemicals. The work focuses on developing technologies that can transform CO₂ rather than simply storing it, potentially creating a pathway that combines carbon management with renewable-fuel production. The research remains at the technology-development stage, however, […]

Korean researchers find biodiesel’s green credentials vary significantly

September 22, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In South Korea, researchers from Chonnam National University, South Korea have found that the environmental impact of biodiesel varies dramatically depending on its feedstock and production pathway. Using a life-cycle assessment of five biodiesel feedstocks, the study published in Applied Energy, shows why climate emissions and air pollution both need to be considered when evaluating […]

Solar-powered systems convert CO₂ into methanol

September 21, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In India, Scienmag reports a new review in Ionics examines photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems that use sunlight to convert captured carbon dioxide into liquid methanol, a fuel and chemical feedstock. Researchers highlight recent advances in engineered semiconductor photocathodes, copper-based catalysts and tandem architectures, with some systems achieving methanol Faradaic efficiencies of roughly 90–95%. Bias-free designs can […]

Researchers receive NSF award to advance cleaner waste-to-energy technologies

September 20, 2026 | Juan Pedro Tomas

In Arkansas, Arkansas State University has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) award totaling $177,108 to support research aimed at making waste-to-energy systems more efficient, sustainable, and environmentally friendly. The project, “ERI: Alkaline Thermal Pretreatment to Improve Anaerobic Digestion of Sewage Sludge through Mitigating Volatile Sulfur Compounds: Reactor Performance, Pathways, and Mechanisms,” is funded through […]

German researchers using corn steep liquor to create bio-based flame retardants

September 17, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Germany, certain phosphorus compounds are highly effective at suppressing fires, which is why they are widely used in flame retardants. Phosphorus, however, is a finite resource. Estimates suggest it could be depleted within the next 50–300 years. That is why, as part of the ScaleAmP project, a research team is working to extract phosphorus from […]

Philippines researchers get government support for seaweed-derived bioplastics

September 16, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In the Philippines, the national administration is strengthening support for science-driven and sustainable technologies as experts from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) called for seaweed-derived bioplastics to become one of the Philippines’ top technology priorities through 2050. Citing their potential to reduce plastic pollution, create economic opportunities for coastal communities, and expand research […]

Japanese researchers find bacterial exopolysaccharides changed by feeding them differently

September 15, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Japan, changing the carbon source used during bacterial fermentation—essentially, what bacteria are fed—can significantly influence the properties of the sugar polymers they produce, known as bacterial exopolysaccharides (EPSs). These EPSs are secreted by bacteria into their surroundings, where they form protective layers or biofilms and serve as valuable materials for a wide range of […]

ASTM qualification for methanol as ATJ pathway creates opportunities

September 14, 2026 | Meghan Sapp

In Germany, more than 23,000 large aircraft worldwide consume approximately 350 billion liters of fuel annually and account for about 3 percent of human-caused CO2 emissions. For long-haul flights over 4,000 km in particular, there is no alternative to liquid fuels, as only these provide a sufficiently high energy density. The development of sustainable aviation […]

Stanford researchers find innovative process to boost clean hydrogen production

September 13, 2026 | Juan Pedro Tomas

In California, Stanford University said that researchers at Stanford have developed a new, highly efficient, and low-emission method for producing hydrogen. The process improves heating efficiency by using some of the produced hydrogen to heat the process internally rather than externally. The method, described in a new study published in Science, uses a process called […]

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