In Texas, the DOE has awarded Texas A&M a $2.3 million grant to study how to convert lignin into biofuel in a project that will combine mathematical and engineering design with microbial engineering. Researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of British Columbia and Washington State University are also involved in the project.
In the UK, researchers from the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences in Aberystwyth University working on the biofuel crop Miscanthus sacchariflorus, commonly known as Asian Elephant Grass, have shown that delaying flowering in the plant can result in a 50% growth increase. The discovery could have important implications for biofuel production, leading to […]
In Norway, a study warns that biofuels actually worsen a type of air pollution caused by poplar, willow, and eucalyptus trees that all emit high levels of isoprene as they grow. This chemical forms toxic ozone when mixed with other pollutants in sunlight, and could due the cause of 1400 deaths in Europe by 2020. […]
In Tennessee, the Shelton Group issued its biobased and sustainability predictions for 2013. On its list: Corporate Social Responsibility shifts into high gear; Sustainable packaging grows; Water issues pushed further into the light; Increased green legislation, and Improved definitions of sustainability. “There are a lot of buzzwords such as “carbon footprint” and “sustainability,” said CEO […]
In New York, the University at Buffalo’s Technology Incubator operated by the Office of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach welcomed several new tenants including Helios-NRG, a technology development and consulting firm currently developing a step-change algae technology for biofuels and water remediation. Incubator tenants receive support from the university including mentoring, professional networking, seminars […]
In Oklahoma, Danielle Bellmer, an associate professor at Oklahoma State University, has received funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, United Sorghum Checkoff Program, Oklahoma Bioenergy Center and the South Central Sun Grant Program to develop biofuels from sweet sorghum. Benefits of sweet sorghum include high-energy content, drought resistance and adaptation to multiple climates and […]
In Iran, car manufacturer, IKCO, and the Bio-energy Research Center of Tarbiat Modares University, are collaborating on research to power all IKCO vehicle models with E5 and E10 ethanol blends. Currently, tests show that IKCO engines TU5, EF7 and XUM are able to run on E5 and E10. In an effort to improve its environmental […]
In Spain, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya researchers have developed and patented a type of biological concrete that supports the natural, accelerated growth of pigmented organisms. The material, which has been designed for the façades of buildings or other constructions in Mediterranean climates, offers environmental, thermal and aesthetic advantages. The material consists of a conventional carbonated […]
In Spain, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya researchers have developed and patented a type of biological concrete that supports the natural, accelerated growth of pigmented organisms. The material, which has been designed for the façades of buildings or other constructions in Mediterranean climates, offers environmental, thermal and aesthetic advantages. The material consists of a conventional carbonated […]
In Tanzania, researchers and scientists who have returned recently from a study trip to Zimbabwe are urging the government to include a focus on utilizing small-scale farmers in biofuel production in the policy that is currently under development, like is being done in Zimbabwe, rather than just focusing on international investors.
