Category: Research

EU product shows ways to effectively use these hemicellulose-rich by-products of pulp mills

October 9, 2023 | Meghan Sapp

In Belgium, pulp mills generate by-products rich in hemicellulose. Currently, these by-products hold little commercial value owing to the complexities involved in isolating and purifying hemicellulose carbohydrates. However, the high hemicellulose content in wood represents an untapped resource for creating valuable products and generating significant revenue for biorefineries. The EU-funded VEHICLE project showcased innovative methods […]

TotalEnergies works on biomass conversion solutions

October 6, 2023 | Juan Pedro Tomas

In France, TotalEnergies reported that the firm is actively working on all biomass conversion solutions with the aim of achieving its ambition of becoming a leader in biofuels and developing innovative bioplastics. The French firm said it is currently involved in the two main biomass conversion pathways, which are thermochemical conversion, which enables biomass to […]

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and JGI researchers sequence 400 soybean genomes

October 5, 2023 | Meghan Sapp

In Illinois, an ambitious effort led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (JGI) will sequence 400 soybean genomes to develop a “pangenome” — an attempt to characterize all the useful diversity in the genome to create an even more robust and resilient crop. The soybean pangenome project will sequence and […]

CABBI researchers develop economic way to make succinic acid from sugarcane

October 4, 2023 | Meghan Sapp

In Illinois, in a breakthrough for environmentally friendly chemical production, researchers at the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation (CABBI) have developed an economical way to make succinic acid, an important industrial chemical, from sugarcane. The team of University of Illinois and Princeton University researchers created a cost-effective, end-to-end pipeline for this valuable organic […]

Researchers discover important role played by malic enzyme in enhancing soybean oil production

October 3, 2023 | Meghan Sapp

In Missouri, as a potent source of protein and oil, soybeans are a vital global crop for food, animal feed, industrial applications, and biofuel production. Even minor improvements in soybean seed content can therefore have far-reaching implications for agricultural productivity and global economies. Research led USDA and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Danforth Center uncovered […]

CU Boulder using coffee to reduce waste from 3D printing

October 2, 2023 | Meghan Sapp

In Colorado, according to a new study, coffee could also help reduce the waste from 3D printing. Researchers at CU Boulder have developed a method for 3D printing a wide range of objects using a paste made entirely out of old coffee grounds, water and a few other sustainable ingredients. The team has already experimented […]

Qatar University researchers develop innovative nanomaterial from date palm waste

September 28, 2023 | Juan Pedro Tomas

In Qatar, Zawya reported that a Qatar University (QU) research team have pioneered a sustainable method for the preparation of innovative nanomaterial, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) from date palm leaf waste. This project, which started in January 2022, uses water as a solvent, achieving a virtually chemical-free synthesis of GQDs and spotlighting a notable advancement […]

Brazilian and European scientists formulate synthetic molasses

September 28, 2023 | Meghan Sapp

In Brazil, a group of Brazilian and European scientists have now formulated synthetic molasses with a composition that can be reproduced because it is fully known. Their research was published in the journal Scientific Reports. The researchers set out to reproduce the ethanol production process in the laboratory, including the characteristics of sugarcane molasses as […]

University research produces hydrogen gas and biopropane from glycerol

September 27, 2023 | Meghan Sapp

In the UK, Aston University research has shown the way forward for making renewable hydrogen and propane fuel gases from glycerol. An organic compound, glycerol is produced mainly from fats and oils and is often used in health and beauty products. With crude glycerol from biodiesel production plants cheap and abundant the researchers have explored […]

Nagoya University researchers develop tech to convert methane into methanol at room temperature in water

September 26, 2023 | Meghan Sapp

In Japan, Nagoya University in Japan has developed a technology to convert methane, the principal component of natural gas, into methanol at room temperature in water. They used an enzyme that can be easily mass-produced, offering the possibility of a cheap and effective means to reduce the carbon footprint of natural gas. They published the […]

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