In the Netherlands, a new meta-study report commissioned by Holland Bioplastics, an association advancing bioplastics knowledge worldwide, concludes that the fundamental characteristics of polylactic acid (PLA), a biobased polymer made entirely from fermented plant sugars, and the hydrolysis process indicate that PLA does not produce persistent microplastics. The literature research, completed by HYDRA Marine Sciences, […]
In Denmark, a biofriendly new material made from barley starch blended with fiber from sugarbeet waste sees the light of day at the University of Copenhagen – a strong material that turns into compost should it end up in nature. In the long term, the researchers hope that their invention can help put the brakes […]
In Oklahoma, researchers in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology at Oklahoma State University continue to refine a co-fermentation process resulting in the production of butanol, a biofuel made from renewable resources that can be converted into jet fuel. OSU received a patent in November 2021 for a co-fermentation process. In this process, […]
In Austria, a research collaboration between BOKU Tulln and IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems is using the further development of bioleaching and bioaccumulation to develop a two-stage, environmentally friendly and sustainable process for recovering rare earths. In the bioaccumulation step, metal recovery rates of up to 85% were achieved from electronic scrap. The key […]
In Nevada, the University of Nevada reported that a research team led by University of Nevada, Reno researchers has identified several varieties of cactus pear that are particularly well-suited to producing biomass for fuels production. The new findings build on earlier research led by John Cushman, a professor in the University’s Department of Biochemistry & […]
In Washington, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking information from the public on procedures for quantifying, reporting, and verifying the effect of climate-smart farming practices on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with U.S.-grown biofuel feedstock crops. The input is being collected through a Request for Information to establish voluntary standards for biofuel feedstocks […]
In Tennessee, researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Maine have designed and 3D-printed a single-piece, recyclable natural-material floor panel tested to be strong enough to replace construction materials like steel. The project is part of the Sustainable Materials & Manufacturing Alliance for Renewable Technologies, or SM2ART, program. The SM2ART […]
In Nevada, a research team led by University of Nevada, Reno researchers has identified several varieties of cactus pear that are particularly well-suited to producing biomass for fuels production. The new findings build on earlier research led by John Cushman, a professor in the University’s Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology in the College of […]
In India, India Today reported that IIT Kanpur and NSI Kanpur have joined forces to establish a Center of Excellence for Biofuels, aiming to advance research and technology in ethanol, methanol, bio-CNG, aviation fuel, and green hydrogen production from biomass. Manindra Agrawal, Director of IIT Kanpur said: “NSI Kanpur has been working in this field […]
In California, a team led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has invented a technique to study electrochemical processes at the atomic level with unprecedented resolution and used it to gain new insights into a popular catalyst material. Electrochemical reactions — chemical transformations that are caused by or accompanied by the flow of electric […]
