Category: Research

New process for controlling the structure of platinum nanoparticles promises breakthroughs in biofuels catalysts

October 5, 2019 | Jim Lane

In Wales, researchers led by the Cardiff Catalysis Institute in collaboration with scientists from Lehigh University, Jazan University, Zhejiang University, Glasgow University, University of Bologna, Research Complex at Harwell (RCaH), and University College London have developed a techniqueto control and manipulate the structures of metal nanoparticles. These metal nanoparticles are widely used by industry as […]

India’s research center awarded US patent for new cellulase preparation

October 3, 2019 | Meghan Sapp

In India, a new cellulase preparation discovered by scientists at ICGEB, New Delhi has received a US patent award. This discovery is likely to provide a better alternative to the available option on the market for commercial cellulase enzyme to produce ethanol for second generation (G2) biofuel. While screening vast microbial consortia from nature, the […]

MSU scores $2.7 million DOE grant to study sorghum genetics and crop modeling

October 2, 2019 | Meghan Sapp

In Michigan, Michigan State University researchers are part of a multi-university team that has been awarded a $2.7 million DOE grant for a new study on sorghum that melds differing sciences — from genomics to crop modeling. The aim is to identify and better understand genes that lead to improved growth and yield in various […]

UAE launches microalgae biomass project Green Barjeel

October 1, 2019 | Meghan Sapp

In the UAE, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) announced the launch of the Green Barjeel research project that aims to leverage innovative methods to grow microalgae biomass with a high lipid content in tower-shaped structures. Run in cooperation with American University of Sharjah (AUS) and Khalifa University (KU), the project involves collecting […]

VTT runs 80 hour-long test on syngas conversion to FT products

September 30, 2019 | Meghan Sapp

In Finland, production of biofuel by gasification of biomass residues was successfully validated in the EU’s COMSYN project in September. The process performance was verified with bark in an 80 hour-long test run at VTT. The syngas conversion to Fischer-Tropsch (FT) products was conducted by IneraTec GmbH. The main focus of the test was to […]

Converting CO 2 into raw materials using nanoparticles

September 28, 2019 | admin

In Germany, scientists at the Ruhr University Bochum and the University of New South Wales in Australia converted carbon dioxide into raw materials using nanoparticles. They looked at the principle for this from enzymes that produce complex molecules in many-step reactions. The team transferred this mechanism to metallic nanoparticles, also called nanozymes. For example, chemists […]

Michelin’s bio-butadiene technology moving to validation phase

September 26, 2019 | Meghan Sapp

In France, Michelin announced the BioButterfly project has just reached a new milestone. After developing this new technology to produce bio-sourced butadiene from ethanol on a pilot scale, the project is now moving into a validation phase with the construction of a demonstrator at Bassens, in France. Scheduled for completion in late 2020, this demonstrator […]

French researchers lead development of biobattery device powered by sweat

September 25, 2019 | Meghan Sapp

In France, a unique new flexible and stretchable device, worn against the skin and capable of producing electrical energy by transforming the compounds present in sweat, was recently developed and patented by CNRS researchers from l’Université Grenoble Alpes and the University of San Diego (U.S.). This cell is already capable of continuously lighting an LED, […]

DOE awards Cornell researchers $2 million to study inorganic semiconductor nanoparticles’ role in bioenergy production

September 24, 2019 | Meghan Sapp

In New York state, the U.S. Department of Energy has awarded an interdisciplinary team of Cornell researchers $2 million to study the combination of inorganic semiconductor nanoparticles and bacterial cells for more efficient bioenergy conversion. The Cornell project was one of six selected by the DOE’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research to explore microscopic […]

Spanish researchers make hydrogen from algae breakthrough

September 23, 2019 | Meghan Sapp

In Spain, a team from the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department at the University of Cordoba has been searching for ways to increase hydrogen production by using microorganisms, specifically microalgae and bacteria. In this vein, researchers were able to increase hydrogen production by combining unicellular green alga called Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with Escherichia coli bacteria. The […]

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