In Michigan, researchers at the University of Michigan’s engineering department can “pressure-cook” algae for as little as a minute and transform an unprecedented 65% of the green slime into biocrude. Researchers are using the green marine micro-alga of the genus Nannochloropsis.
In Brazil, Triton Chemicals’ system developed to increase ethanol production from corn in the US has been adapted to four power plants and eight others are investigating the technology in lab tests. Teamed with the Centro de Tecnologia Canavieira at the University of Campinas, the technology can increase ethanol production by 2%.
In Washington, a new study from the National Research Council says large-scale algae biodiesel production—as it is now—uses unsustainable amounts of water, energy and fertilizer, including carbon dioxide, nitrate and phosphate. GHG emissions from algae biodiesel may not even be lower than petroleum-based fuels. The NRC suggests continued research into algae to find better ways […]
In California, Google has run their biofuel car for more than 2400 miles on a 5% Cool Planet “carbon-negative” fuel blend. GRide, as the car is called, passed five smog checks, and the mileage of the test car evened out with the control car, run on 100% regular gasoline. Cool Planet calls the Google test […]
In Washington, The Federal Aviation Administration announced that it will form =a Center of Excellence for Environment and Energy during FY-13. The COE will be a consortium of the FAA, university partners, and private industry affiliates selected by the FAA Administrator to work collectively on business and operational issues of mutual interest and concern. Among […]
In South Korea, researchers at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology along with private sector partners have boosted the efficiency of Clostridium acetobutylicum bacteria to increase production of butanol using systems metabolic engineering.
In China, a newly formed technology center created by Boeing and Commercial Aircraft Corp. of China (COMAC) has announced that Hangzhou Energy Engineering & Technology, Co., Ltd., (HEET) will conduct the center’s first research project. HEET, a company with experience developing alternative energy technologies, will focus on ways to convert discarded cooking oil into a component […]
In Wisconsin, Hyrax Energy and the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation announced a joint licensing agreement for a patent-pending renewable chemical and biofuel production method developed by University of Wisconsin–Madison biochemistry professor and a Hyrax founder, Ron Raines. The technology uses ionic liquids to transform cellulosic biomass, such as corn stover, into renewable fuels and high-value […]
In New York, the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry will participate in a $10 million USDA-sponsored research program that establishes a regional network of universities, businesses, and governmental organizations in order to develop biomass supply chains. Four professors from ESF will contribute research in areas of sustainability, logistics, and social sciences. The project, […]
In California, the DOE Joint Genome Institute reports that full repertoire of Agaricus bisporus genes has been determined. In particular, new work shows how its genes are actually deployed not only in leaf decay but also wood decay and in the development of fruiting bodies. Analysis Agaricus turned up several families of well-known sugar-degrading enzymes […]
