Articles tagged with Fossil Fuels
Scientists have developed a novel solid storage material that can efficiently store hydrogen, a clean fuel alternative to fossil fuels. The new material packs a large amount of hydrogen in a stable and safe way, overcoming one of the key technological challenges of storing hydrogen.
Researchers have found a novel electrode made of oxide-derived copper that can efficiently convert carbon monoxide into liquid ethanol. The discovery could provide an eco-friendly alternative to conventional ethanol production, which relies on land- and water-intensive crops like corn.
A Yale University-led study finds that using more wood and less steel and concrete in building and bridge construction can reduce global carbon dioxide emissions and fossil fuel consumption. Sustainable management of wood resources can achieve both goals while maintaining biodiversity and reducing fossil fuel burning.
Researchers at JCAP have developed a new hybrid material that stores nearly 90% of the electrons generated by solar energy in hydrogen molecules. This breakthrough could address one of the major challenges in using artificial photosynthesis to produce renewable solar fuels. The material, which combines gallium phosphide and cobaloxime ...
Researchers at Scripps Institution of Oceanography have developed a method to genetically engineer marine algae to produce more lipids, the fat molecules that store energy for fuel. This breakthrough enhances biofuel production and has the potential to lower costs and increase efficiency.
A new EBI study concludes that biofuels from plant biomass and purpose-grown crops can substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions in California. The report highlights the importance of judicious use of feedstocks and implementation of low-carbon technologies to meet the state's ambitious energy goals.
A study by Griffith University Climate Change Response Program finds that planting trees does not offset fossil fuel CO2 emissions, highlighting the urgent need to rethink land management practices. Protecting natural forests and restoring degraded ecosystems are crucial components of the solution.
Research by UC assistant professor Amy Townsend-Small found that intensive lawn care can negate soil's natural ability to store atmospheric toxins, despite improving its carbon-quelling capacity. The study compared urban lawns in Los Angeles and Cincinnati, revealing stark differences in their ecological impact.
Researchers use PALM microscopy technique to analyze enzyme cocktails and find specific targets for cellulase synergy. This reveals how different combinations of enzymes can generate synergistic activity, increasing saccharification efficiencies and reducing biofuel production costs.
Scientists have created a way to convert naturally occurring fatty acids found in soap and ice cream into ready-to-use fuel and household chemicals. This breakthrough in synthetic biology has the potential to create renewable energy from sustainable sources.
Researchers found that nitrous oxide emissions in California may account for 8% of total greenhouse gas emissions, with a potential impact on the state's 2020 emission reduction targets. The study used a new method combining atmospheric measurements and model predictions to estimate N2O levels.
Scientists developed a new fuel mixture by adding glycerol to low-sulfur diesel, reducing emissions of soot-like particulates and nitrogen oxide pollutants by 15% and 26%, respectively. The 'Bunker Green' fuel has improved emission properties and potential to lower fuel costs for the shipping industry.
Scientists at University of Leeds used Diamond Light Source to study calcium oxide-based materials as CO2 sorbents. They found a mechanism for interaction between CaO and water, which led to disintegration and generation of nano-sized crystallites. This new knowledge aims to improve the efficiency of this economically viable method.
Research from Carnegie Institution shows pre-industrial era's clearing of land and forests contribute to atmospheric carbon dioxide, affecting global warming. Accounting for these emissions shifts attribution of global temperature from industrialized nations to developing nations.
The airline industry is poised to adopt biobased jet fuel, derived from waste cooking oil and algae, due to rising costs for conventional fuels. Biobased fuels are blended with traditional Jet A-1 fuel and have shown promising results in test flights.
Recent research suggests that plant-derived biofuels could meet 30% of the global demand for liquid transportation fuels without affecting food production. Scientists have identified non-edible plants as a promising area of research to produce biofuels sustainably.
A new study by University of Oregon sociologist Richard York finds that it takes more than 10 units of alternative energy to displace a single unit of fossil fuel-generated power. The research highlights the need for a shift in political and economic policies to address human behavior, rather than just technological solutions.
University of California, San Diego engineers build nanowire 'trees' that capture solar energy and convert it into hydrogen fuel. The trees' vertical structure maximizes energy absorption, making them more efficient than traditional flat surfaces.
Chemists at UC Berkeley have developed a new, edge-based catalyst that can efficiently produce hydrogen from water. The breakthrough could lead to more affordable and efficient fuel cell technology, reducing emissions and increasing the use of clean-burning fuels.
Research reveals glaciers record anthropogenic perturbation, highlighting the impact of human activities on the global carbon cycle. The study found that glacier ecosystems are post-industrial and provide a unique perspective for understanding climate change.
Researchers at TUM introduce a new catalytic process that effectively converts biopetroleum from microalgae into diesel fuels. The process uses a novel catalyst and achieves the conversion of raw, untreated algae oil under mild conditions, producing diesel-range saturated hydrocarbons suitable for high-grade vehicle fuels.
Aalto University researchers have developed a new bioprocess that uses only lignocellulose from wood biomass to produce chemicals and biofuel. This process avoids wasting any parts of the wood sugar and can be used in existing combustion engines without modifications.
A Yale study found that removing sulfur from jet fuel has a small net cooling effect on the atmosphere. This is due to the formation of nitrate from nitrogen oxides in jet exhaust, which offsets the warming caused by sulfate particles formed by burning sulfur-laden fuel.
The University of Southampton's Optoelectronics Research Centre is developing laser technology to map chemical species and soot in jet engine exhausts, aiming to reduce emissions and optimize combustion processes. The FLITES project will establish a world-leading capability for tomographic imaging of exhaust plumes.
Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels have reached a record 10 billion tons, exceeding projections by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The increase is largely driven by emerging economies, with China and India contributing significantly to global emissions growth.
The UK and India will collaborate on bioenergy research to develop sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, with a focus on plant and algae processing. The joint call aims to tackle global challenges in this area, leveraging expertise from both nations.
Washington University in St. Louis has been awarded a $2.2 million US Department of Energy grant to create a fuel-producing cyanobacterium using systems biology and synthetic biology approaches. The project aims to develop a novel organism that can efficiently produce fuels from sunlight, water, and CO2.
Richard Alley, a leading climate researcher, is recognized for his groundbreaking work on abrupt climate change. His discovery that the last Ice Age ended in just three years has debunked the myth of slow climate change and highlights the need for urgent action.
Researchers from the University of Manchester and consortium partners are working on harnessing solar energy to produce hydrogen fuel. The technology has potential to revolutionize energy usage in the coming decades by creating clean, green fuels.
A new sustainable aviation fuels industry in Australia and New Zealand could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17% and generate over 12,000 jobs. The CSIRO report predicts a reduction in Australia's reliance on imported fossil fuel by $2 billion per annum.
A £5M funding call aims to extract valuable chemicals from grain brewing co-products, enhancing the UK's biorefining industry and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Researchers will focus on overcoming bottlenecks and developing new methods for increasing product value.
Researchers have identified new yeast genes that improve ethanol tolerance, allowing for higher ethanol concentrations in biofuel production. This breakthrough could make cellulosic ethanol economically competitive with fossil fuels.
Scientists review eight strategies to increase forest carbon storage, including afforestation, urban forestry, and biomass energy, while acknowledging the need for cost-effective methods and regulation. The current carbon offset of 12-19% in US forests is not permanent but has potential to increase with careful management.
Low-external-input cropping systems reduce energy and yield impacts compared to conventional corn and soybean rotation. Manure application decreases fossil fuel energy costs without significantly increasing labor inputs.
NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites provide critical satellite images of the Gulf oil spill to NOAA, helping track its extent. The MODIS instrument on these satellites captured the spill's dimensions on April 26, showing a 600-square-mile area affected.
A team of experts has embarked on a groundbreaking project to develop sustainable aviation fuels in Australia and New Zealand. The Sustainable Aviation Fuels Road Map aims to accelerate the development of bio-derived jet fuels that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the aviation sector.
The University of Michigan researchers have developed a pressure-cooking method to create better biofuels from algae, speeding up the crude-oil-making process from millennia to minutes. This new method eliminates the need for drying and extracting oil, making it more efficient and cost-effective.
Scientists have developed yeast that efficiently converts a wider range of plant waste sugars into alcohols for biofuel production. The modified yeast can produce both ethanol and butanol, which could replace fossil fuels with superior properties.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have found a way to increase glucomannan levels in plant stems without detrimental effects on plant development or cell wall strength. This discovery could lead to higher yields of fuel from crops, contributing to sustainable and economic biofuels.
In low-income settings, household energy interventions have greater potential to improve public health than those in high-income countries. In the UK, combined insulation and behavioral changes can avert 5,500 premature deaths and save 41 megatonnes of CO2. In India, introducing efficient cooking stoves can benefit up to 87% of househo...
Researchers have developed new tire materials that improve rolling resistance and reduce friction, boosting mileage and cutting CO2 emissions by up to 20%. The new technology, however, requires proper tire inflation to unlock its full potential.
Researchers achieved a world record by consuming approximately 19% of its low-enriched uranium, more than double the previous record. The advanced fuel design demonstrates robustness and safety, paving the way for commercial-scale HTGR fuel production.
The symposium focused on four main topics: mimicking photosynthesis using synthetic materials, production and use of biofuels, developing innovative solar cells, and storage and distribution of solar energy. Scientists have been successful in mimicking the fuel-making process of photosynthesis but must now find ways to do so commercially.
The Clemson University-led Center for Atomic-Level Catalyst Design aims to develop new catalysts for producing clean fuels and chemicals from renewable sources. The project seeks to lower the cost of renewable fuels and reduce carbon footprint through advanced computational methods.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a one-step process to convert cellulose into a chemical feedstock for fuels and plastics. This simplified method avoids the multi-step approaches currently used in biofuel production, potentially making it more cost-effective.
A new study suggests that including land use changes in greenhouse gas control strategies can lead to lower costs and preserved forests. The study found that valuing terrestrial carbon emissions can reduce the cost of reducing global emissions by half compared to only taxing industrial and fossil fuel emissions.
Scientists develop catalytic process to convert phenolic components of bio-oil directly into cycloalkanes and methanol. The 'one-pot' reaction uses palladium metal on a carbon support and phosphoric acid as a proton source.
Princeton University will establish an energy research center with a focus on next-generation fuels and advanced engines. The center aims to optimize the design of clean fuels for transportation vehicles, tackling challenges of energy sustainability and global warming.
A new multi-million-dollar Energy Frontier Research Center announced by the White House will focus on understanding gas-liquid interactions at solid surfaces. This research has potential applications in developing more efficient batteries, solar and electrical energy conversion into fuel, improved fuel cells, and enhanced corrosion res...
Washington University and the Danforth Plant Science Center will be home to two new multimillion-dollar Energy Frontier Research Centers, pursuing advanced scientific research on energy. The centers aim to study forms of energy based on light harvesting and energy funneling.
A new carbon dioxide map of the US has been released on Google Earth, showing hourly and geographic emissions data for various fossil fuel sources. The map is an unprecedented inventory of CO2 emissions from different types of fossil fuel, offering insights into climate change.
A study published in Geophysical Research Letters proposes that reducing global fossil fuel use by 20% in 2020 and 60% in 2050 could postpone the onset of the next ice age by up to 170,000 years. By building up ice sheets, scientists can regulate climate and extend current interglacial periods.
A US biofuels mandate may benefit energy needs but put environmental sustainability at risk, according to a recent article. The article emphasizes the need for research and sound policy to mitigate climate change while promoting sustainable production systems.
Scientists at the University of California, Davis have developed a simple and inexpensive process to directly convert cellulose into furan-based biofuels. This method surpasses previous conversions, offering a promising solution for sustainable energy production.
Researchers at NIST have detailed fundamental processes involved in extracting sugars from biomass, a crucial step in producing ethanol by fermentation. The study provides theoretical limits of reactions and energy needed to break down cellulose and hemicellulose, helping engineers design more efficient process designs.
A study suggests that eating less, especially junk foods, can reduce the US food system's energy consumption by 50 percent. Traditional farming methods, such as organic farming and reduced pesticide use, can also make a significant impact on energy efficiency.
A study by University of Washington researchers found that popular biofuel sources like corn-based ethanol may have negative environmental impacts. The authors recommend promoting sustainable alternatives such as switchgrass or algae-based fuels, and implementing policies to minimize land usage and energy consumption.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a strategy to capture, store and recycle carbon from vehicles, enabling the creation of zero emission cars. The technology involves an onboard fuel processor that separates hydrogen from carbon, allowing for the production of clean energy.
A new Nature Conservancy study finds that converting land for biofuel crops results in significant carbon emissions and worsening the problem of global warming. The study analyzed various benefits of using biofuels as alternatives to oil but found they fall short of the carbon losses, leading to a 'carbon debt'.
Assistant Professor Jeremy J. Michalek of Carnegie Mellon University has been awarded the National Science Foundation's Faculty Early Career Development Award for his research on public policy and its impact on vehicle efficiency.