Category: Research

Fraunhofer leads project developing bio-based adhesives for folding boxes

January 7, 2025 | Meghan Sapp

In Germany, folding boxes are considered sustainable packaging solutions for numerous everyday products – whether breakfast cereals, electronics, medicines, or perfumes. Made from paper and cardboard, folding boxes are resource-efficient in production, biodegradable, and easily recyclable. However, environmentally friendly adhesives are still lacking for completely sustainable manufacturing. Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research […]

CBI, ORNL and CABBI researchers ID poplar tree gene that boosts photosynthesis

January 6, 2025 | Meghan Sapp

In Tennessee, a team of scientists with two Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Centers — the Center for Bioenergy Innovation, or CBI, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation, or CABBI, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign — identified a gene in a poplar tree that enhances photosynthesis […]

Novo Nordisk Foundation backs initiative to strengthen the bio-based economy

January 4, 2025 | Juan Pedro Tomas

In Denmark, Novo Nordisk Foundation reported that a new comprehensive initiative at the Technical University of Denmark aims to accelerate the development of biosolutions and strengthen the bio-based economy. This new initiative at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) called the Novo Nordisk Foundation Biotechnology Research Institute for the Green Transition (BRIGHT), aims to create […]

Chinese researchers use CRISPR to improve seed oil content and flowering time

January 2, 2025 | Meghan Sapp

In China, employing tools like genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, a research team from Zhejiang University uncovered promising pathways to improve abiotic stress tolerance. By combining precision genomics and advanced breeding techniques, the research marks a significant leap toward sustainable crop innovation. The study delves into the genetic underpinnings of Brassica napus […]

BETO to issue funding for bio-propane, biochemicals and algae R&D

January 1, 2025 | Meghan Sapp

In Washington, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) recently announced their intent to issue funding to support high-impact research and development (R&D) projects in two priority areas: sustainable propane and renewable chemicals and algal system cultivation and preprocessing. The intended Sustainable Propane and Renewable Chemicals (SPARC) funding opportunity would support R&D of domestic […]

South Dakota Mines lands $1.5M DOE grant to advance mixed algae development

December 31, 2024 | Meghan Sapp

In South Dakota, the South Dakota School of Mines and was recently awarded a $1.5 million Department of Energy grant as part of a $20.2 million initiative funding 10 university and industry projects to advance mixed algae development for low-carbon biofuels and bioproducts. Spread across seven states, the selected projects will focus on high-impact research […]

Japanese researchers using CO2 to produce better hydrogel

December 30, 2024 | Meghan Sapp

In Japan, hydrogels created using carbon dioxide (CO₂) offer a safer alternative to those formed with acidic agents. While most research has focused on pre-gelation conditions affecting hydrogel properties, this study by researchers from Tokyo University of Science explores the impact of CO₂ release after gelation. The team prepared alginate-based hydrogels and found that faster […]

PNNL and Bridgestone team up to focus on more sustainable tires

December 27, 2024 | Juan Pedro Tomas

In Washington, the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory said it is teaming up with Bridgestone to scale up a chemical process that converts ethanol into butadiene—synthetic rubber’s most important ingredient. At the center of the collaboration sits a catalyst developed by PNNL researchers that cuts out the need for heat and reduces the […]

Japanese researchers develop tech to improve biosynthetic production

December 26, 2024 | Meghan Sapp

In Japan, biosynthetic production, controlling engineered bacteria to efficiently produce chemicals is challenging due to mismatches between process models and actual outcomes. To address this issue, researchers from Japan developed a hybrid control system that combines a computer-based model controller with a feedback mechanism engineered directly into Escherichia coli bacteria. Simulation results show that this […]

Florida researchers working to improve carinata possibilities for feedstock

December 25, 2024 | Meghan Sapp

In Florida, WUFT reports UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center is continuing to work on carinata research as a way to increase options for non-edible biofuel feedstocks. The crop is best suited for growing over the winter months in Georgia, Florida and Alabama on land that usually grows corn, cotton, peanut or soybean. The […]

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