Category: Research

ARS researcher develops new super-yeast for cellulosic ethanol

September 21, 2011 | admin

In Illinois, a researcher at USDA’s Agricultural Research Service National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria has developed Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain NRRL Y-50049, a yeast that ferments plant sugars into cellulosic ethanol despite the stressful interference by problematic compounds such as furfural (2-furaldehyde) and HMF (5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde) created during dilute acid pre-treatment of the crop […]

Microwaving food waste as biofuels processing strategy

September 20, 2011 | admin

In the UK, researchers at the University of York have discovered that microwaving food waste allow both home-scale and commercial scale of biofuel and chemicals production. Plans are underway for a demonstration plant in York to be built later this year with a commercial-scale facility expected at about $1.57 million. Orange peel waste can produce […]

The Biology Superhighway: A computer-designed yeast chromosome aims to massively speed up evolution

September 19, 2011 | admin

In Maryland, Johns Hopkins researchers have engineered from scratch a computer-designed yeast chromosome and incorporated into their creation a new system that lets scientists intentionally rearrange the yeast’s genetic material. Jef D. Boeke, Ph.D., Sc.D., professor, explains, “We developed SCRaMbLE to enable us to pull a mutation trigger — essentially causing the synthetic chromosome to […]

$800K in bioenergy grants for UC Riverside for gasification, food waste projects

September 15, 2011 | admin

In California, Researchers at the University of California, Riverside’s Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CERT) received a $650,000 grant from the California Energy Commission, extending its commitment to $2 million to CERT for its patented steam hydrogasification reaction, which can turn any carbonaceous material – including waste from food, yards, sewage treatment facilities – […]

Tapioca pearls: precious gems in dehydrating ethanol

September 14, 2011 | admin

In Indiana, researchers at Purdue University are exploring the use of tapioca pearls as an environmentally friendly way to dehydrate ethanol, rather than using corn grits to absorb water or molecular sieves to remove water molecules. The study showed that tapioca pearls absorbed about 34% more water than corn grits. In addition, tapioca can be […]

AlgEternal to open R&D facility at U of Texas

September 14, 2011 | admin

In Texas, AlgEternal will soon open a facility in the J.J. Pickles Research Campus at the University of Texas, Austin, where algae will be cultivated using a vertical method involving glass tubes. The research partnership between UT’s Electromechanical department, UTEX Culture Collection of Algae and AlgEternal will produce algae for biodiesel as well as cosmetics […]

ISU: net return on biodiesel production jumps to 50 cents per gallon

September 13, 2011 | admin

In Iowa, researchers at Iowa State University have run the numbers and have discovered that since May, the net return on biodiesel production has been 50 cents a gallon—the highest in four years. The return to profitability is a combination of biodiesel, soybean oil, methanol and natural gas prices all in the right place. Production […]

Alternative Fuel Technology Center launches in Texas

September 12, 2011 | admin

In Texas, the Southwest Research Institute launched a collaborative effort to assist clients to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and to address governmental mandates for alternative fuel production and tightened emissions standards. SwRI’s new International Alternative Fuel Technology Center (IAFTC) will maximize the Institute’s decades-long expertise in fuels and fluids. SwRI laboratories are outfitted with […]

Texas Tech duo envisions small-scale ammonia fuel systems

September 9, 2011 | admin

In Texas, John Fleming of SilverEagles Energy and Jim Maxwell with Texas Tech University report that they are working up a process to produce ammonia as fuel. If successful, their system can be installed at local filling stations where it will produce hydrogen by electrolysis and then pull nitrogen from the atmosphere by way of […]

UK group aims to establish carbon capture, gasification R&D hub

September 8, 2011 | admin

In the UK, researchers at the Newcastle Institute for Research on Sustainability (NIReS) are looking to position the North East as a global center for the development of gasification and carbon capture and storage technologies capable of significantly reducing emissions from the region’s carbon-intensive heavy industries. NIReS is currently working on several complementary research projects […]

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