In the Ukraine, researchers at the Institute of Potato Growing of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in the Kyiv region are studying the viability of fodder potatoes as an ethanol feedstock. Results are expected within the next two or three months at which point a decision will be made as to invest in […]
In Iowa, students at Iowa State University have developed I-BOS (the Interactive Biorefinery Operations Simulator), a virtual biorefinery control room that can help students and workers learn to operate ethanol and biodiesel plants. They’re calling it Nintendo for biofuel nerds that works much like a flight simulator for pilots.
In the Netherlands, the Dutch-based R&D subsidiary of Dyadic International has entered into an research agreement with Sanofi Pasteur, the vaccines division of sanofi-aventis Group, and EnGen Bio, Inc. Under the agreement, Sanofi Pasteur will fund collaborative research at Dyadic Netherland’s research and development facility in Wageningen, The Netherlands, which will utilize Dyadic’s proprietary and […]
In Washington, the Renewable Fuels Association reports: “Based upon current market conditions and federal renewable fuels policy, 10 percent ethanol blends (E10) are keeping gasoline prices $0.12 per gallon cheaper than they otherwise would be. As AAA reports, the current average price for gasoline is $3.88 per gallon nationwide. Without ethanol, gas prices would average […]
In North Carolina, the Biofuels Center of North Carolina has awarded $1.6 million for 15 projects statewide to accelerate the commercialization of renewable liquid fuels. Awards are made through the 2011 Statewide Biofuels Development Grants Program. By 2017, 10% of North Carolina’s liquid transportation fuels is expected to come from biofuels grown and produced within […]
In India, the country’s national oil company Oil India Limited (OIL) has signed a ten-year agreement with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to broaden the scope of their joint research to include Petroleum Biotechnology and New & Renewable Energy Sources. The two organizations have previously collaborated on algae research but this agreement will broaden […]
In Michigan, Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan visited Michigan State University today to highlight three new research grants awarded to the university to spur production of bioenergy and biobased products that will lead to the development of sustainable regional systems and help create jobs. Merrigan joined energy stakeholders and university officials for the announcement and […]
In the UK, researchers at Glyndwr University are experimenting with high-yielding, high-sugar perennial ryegrass as a feedstock for ethanol as well as using the grass’s fiber in pharmaceutical applications. The grass is well suited to many environments in the UK, including degraded or marginal lands, and can produce as much as 15 metric tons dry […]
In California, top researchers at the University of California, Berkeley have formed the UC Berkeley Synthetic Biology Institute to advance efforts to engineer cells and biological systems in ways that promise to transform technology in health and medicine, energy, the environment, new materials, and a host of other critical arenas. The institute is launching collaborative […]
Pat Grant of Tatko writes, “Our preliminary tests on algae have yielded positive results in increasing lipid count and eliminating unwanted pathogens. The product’s unique strain of Azospirillum is a naturally occurring, non-genetically modified product capable of significantly increasing productivity, by stimulating the fixation of molecular nitrogen. “We are seeking a partner to move forward with […]
