In Wisconsin, researchers at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center at the University of Wisconsin–Madison developed a method to combine traits from up to six different yeast species in a single hybrid strain — a yeast that could carry more tools for a specific job, such as producing biofuels. The idea is to combine as […]
In Minnesota, University of Minnesota researchers have now developed a tool that makes it possible to mutate a single gene at a time — opening the door not only to a better understanding of evolution, but also better ways to modify the genes of microbes to give them the ability to mass-produce molecules, such as […]
In Texas, 3D Print reports a master’s student has submitted a concept to the Sasakawa International Center for Space Architecture that is getting a lot of attention: algae-based ink to 3D print habitats for living on Mars. Rather than relying on crops, algae which can be grown without soil can be used not only to […]
In Singapore, National University of Singapore scientists have discovered a new mechanism for selective electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to ethanol using copper-silver (Cu-Ag) composite catalysts. Results show that an influx of CO molecules, provided by silver (Ag) co-catalysts, activates an otherwise-locked mechanistic pathway on Cu which converts CO2 gas to ethanol. Further plans […]
In Brazil, researchers from the Brazilian research institute IPEN are investigating novel composite membranes for direct ethanol fuel cells. A promising solution is tailoring new polymer-based composite electrolyte materials to replace the state-of-the-art polymer electrolyte such as Nafion. The team uses a melt extrusion process to produce composite membranes based on Nafion with additional titanate […]
In California, National Renewable Energy Laboratory researchers suggest a shift in long-haul trucking toward hydrogen would necessitate a coast-to-coast network of fueling stations and answers to certain questions like bottlenecks, challenges, fueling methods and protocols and other questions they are now looking at to expand hydrogen’s usage as a fuel. With few exceptions, most of […]
In New York state, research on transforming brown grease into biodiesel fuel has been published in the Journal of Biochemical Engineering under the title “Biodiesel fuel production from brown grease produced by wastewater treatment plant: Optimization of acid catalyzed reaction conditions.” The groundbreaking research describes the process of using water treatment plant waste to create […]
In California, Caltech researchers wanted to learn even more about you from your skin, and to that end, he has developed an electronic skin, or e-skin, that is applied directly on top of your real skin. The e-skin, made from soft, flexible rubber, can be embedded with sensors that monitor information like heart rate, body […]
In New Jersey, in a study published in the journal Cell Systems, researchers from Princeton University revealed a fundamental mechanism of isobutanol’s toxic effect. They found that in the presence of isobutanol, yeast behave like they are starving, even though they are in rich nutritious broth, causing them to slow their growth and metabolism. The […]
In Oregon, an international research collaboration has taken an important step toward the commercially viable manufacture of biobutanol, an alcohol whose strong potential as a fuel for gasoline-powered engines could pave the path away from fossil fuels. The key breakthrough is the development of a new metal organic framework, or MOF, that can efficiently separate […]
