Articles tagged with Biofuels
A WVU researcher is creating mathematical models to predict how bioenergy crops enhance and store soil carbon, potentially spurring renewable energy from biological sources. The model considers factors like plant roots, microbes, and feedstocks to determine net carbon benefits or losses.
Researchers have engineered bacteria to combine natural enzymatic reactions with the carbene transfer reaction, producing new-to-nature carbon products that can be used in biochemicals and advanced biofuels. This breakthrough could reduce industrial emissions by providing sustainable alternatives to chemical manufacturing processes.
The latest issue of PLOS Biology features a special collection on biology-based solutions to reduce plastic pollution, carbon dioxide emissions, and produce food or energy more sustainably. Insect enzymes may degrade plastic waste, while photosynthetic algae can capture CO2 produced by industrial applications.
A team of scientists led by Michelle O'Malley proves that tough lignin can be broken down in an anaerobic environment using anaerobic fungi. This discovery opens up new possibilities for biofuels and commodity chemicals from plant biomass.
Researchers at Aarhus University are studying electro-trophic microorganisms that convert green electricity and CO2 into high-value products. The project aims to understand the underlying mechanisms of these microbes, which could lead to breakthroughs in microbiological Power-to-X and novel tools for microbial corrosion prevention.
Scientists have identified a new species of microalgae, Medakamo hakoo, which has the smallest known genome of any freshwater algae. The discovery could lead to the mass production of substances such as functional foods, cosmetics, and biofuels at low cost.
University of Queensland researchers have found a way to more efficiently convert sugarcane into isobutanol, a chemical used in fuels, plastics, and food additives. The cell-free method produces at least 10 times the amount of isobutanol as traditional methods, offering higher yields and more control over the production process.
Researchers from Okayama University developed a novel mechanical compression method to squeeze maximum benefits from plant biomass. The technique reduces energy consumption by eliminating the need for thermal drying, making it ideal for on-site operation and locally grown plants.
A team of WPI researchers has developed a potential breakthrough in green aviation: a recipe for a net-zero fuel for planes that pulls carbon dioxide out of the air. The fuel, made from magnesium hydride and hydrocarbon, could provide up to 8% more range than traditional jet fuel.
A new study published in Nature Sustainability shows that planting miscanthus and switchgrass on 23.2 million hectares of marginal agricultural lands can meet the US aviation sector's liquid fuel demands fully from biofuels by 2040. This pathway could make all US air travel nearly emissions-free.
MU researchers, including Jay J. Thelen and Dong Xu, are exploring genetic modification to increase seed oil production in camelina and pennycress for biofuel use in the aviation industry. The team aims to create a sustainable 'green energy' source as an alternative to petroleum-based fossil fuels.
Engineered duckweed produces up to 10% oil content, a 100-fold increase over wild-type plants, with synergistic effects seen when combining gene modifications. The oil-rich plant can be easily harvested for biofuels or bioproducts, reducing competition with food crops and environmental waste.
Researchers at Stockholm University have developed a novel value chain to produce textile fibers and biofuel from fast-growing poplars. This sustainable approach enables the conversion of marginal land from cotton to food production, minimizing water consumption and supporting global food security.
Researchers have developed an interactive metabolic map of bio-based chemicals, providing a versatile tool for easy assessment and optimization of synthetic pathways. The map enables exploration and analysis of complex networks of biological and/or chemical reactions, facilitating the design and production of desired chemicals.
Researchers developed an amphiphilic assembly to enhance electron transfer kinetics in biofuel cells. The approach resulted in high power output and operational stability, breaking the limitations of traditional enzyme immobilization methods.
Scientists identified a new plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) that enhances duckweed biomass productivity by 2.7-fold, increasing photosynthesis and wastewater treatment efficiency. The molecular mechanism suggests that organic compounds are transferred from the bacteria to duckweed, triggering an increase in photosynthetic activity.
Scientists at EPFL have developed a novel method to convert banana peels into valuable hydrogen and solid-carbon biochar through flash pyrolysis using a Xenon lamp. This innovative technique generates around 100 liters of hydrogen per kg of dried biomass, making it a promising renewable energy solution.
Researchers from Korea Maritime & Ocean University found that using LPG as a marine fuel can reduce annual fuel consumption by 7.5-10.4%, fuel cost by 8.8-25.9%, and carbon dioxide emissions by 10-14%. The study also highlights the potential for promoting LPG as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuels.
A study published in Frontiers in Energy Research found that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) could reduce commercial aviation's CO2 emissions by between 4% and 23% by 2050. The researchers used a model-based approach to analyze data and considered five future SAF scenarios and two passenger-demand projections.
Researchers develop technology to produce petroleum-like liquids from renewable plants using combined fermentation and chemical refining. The new bio-petroleum can be converted into various chemicals, including polymers, rubbery materials, soap-like molecules, and lubricants, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
A new process for decentralized hydrogen production has been developed, using chemical-looping to produce high-purity hydrogen directly from biogas. The technology is now ready for commercial use and could make hydrogen production more competitive with other methods.
Researchers discovered a novel type of bivalent chromatin that enables plants to quickly produce defense compounds like camalexin in response to pathogens. This understanding could inform strategies to improve crop yields and combat global hunger.
Researchers at Korea Maritime and Ocean University have created a state-of-the-art catalyst for urea-based fuel cells using inexpensive nickel chalcogenides, outperforming precious metal-based catalysts. This breakthrough could lead to the widespread adoption of clean energy technologies in remote areas and beyond.
A new study estimates that over 3 billion people worldwide will still mainly use polluting fuels like wood and charcoal by 2030. This disproportionately affects Sub-Saharan Africa, where the number of people using these fuels is growing rapidly.
Researchers will use C. thermocellum bacteria to better understand metabolism and production of cellulosic biofuels, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in heavy-duty transportation. The $1.2M grant will integrate enzyme assays, robotics, computer modeling, and advanced chemistry techniques.
Researchers have identified a mechanism in Shewanella oneidensis that allows the microbe to take energy into its system for use in its metabolism. The study reveals a pathway for electron uptake that could be used to create efficient, scalable, and cheap methods for storing renewable energy and producing biofuels.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a self-powered diaper sensor that monitors urine sugar levels, providing an alternative biomarker for blood sugar monitoring. The sensor uses a biofuel cell powered by glucose in the urine, detecting sugar levels within 1 second and simplifying caretaking tasks.
Researchers at Kanazawa University have developed new solvent mixtures containing positive and negative charges to break down plant cellulose for bioethanol production. These solvents are more environmentally friendly and reduce toxicity compared to current methods, enabling the conversion of unused biomass into fuel.
Scientists from Nara Institute of Science and Technology have created a simple and fast method for detecting cell shape as they pass through a microfluidic channel. The team used changes in electrical impedance to measure the asymmetry of individual cells, which may greatly accelerate biological experiments.
A wearable microgrid developed by UC San Diego engineers powers small electronics using sweat-powered biofuel cells, motion-powered triboelectric generators, and energy-storing supercapacitors. The system can power devices quickly and continuously, lasting three times longer than traditional triboelectric generators alone.
Researchers have developed a cheap and simple way to create biofuel and fertiliser from seaweed, removing plastic from the oceans and cleaning up tourist beaches in the Caribbean and Central America. The process uses acidic and basic catalysts to release sugars that can be used to feed a yeast that produces a palm oil substitute.
Biofuels have yet to reach cost parity with conventional petroleum fuels, but engineers can engineer plants to produce valuable chemical compounds as they grow. A new study defines the optimal amount of bioproducts plants need to produce for a cost-effective process, promising cheaper alternatives to petroleum fuels.
A University of Queensland-led study models future ethanol demand scenarios, forecasting potential expansion of sugarcane farming land in Brazil to 5 million hectares by 2030. The high demand scenario could lead to doubling current ethanol demand and necessitate additional 5 million hectares of land for sugarcane crops.
Researchers discovered powerful genes in duckweed that protect against a wide range of harmful microbes and pests, paving the way for use in bioreactors, drug production, and biofuel development. The study's DNA sequencing approach could lead to numerous societal benefits and further unlock the potential of duckweed.
Scientists have discovered the architecture of proteins known as Photosystem II that diatoms use to absorb sunlight and power their photosynthesis. This discovery could lead to more efficient and affordable algal biofuels and combat climate change from fossil fuel burning.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered engineered electroactive microbes that can borrow electrons from solar or wind power to break down carbon dioxide molecules. These microbes can then produce biofuels like isobutanol or propanol, which could be used as an alternative energy source.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed a cotton-based hybrid biofuel cell that provides twice as much power as conventional biofuel cells. The device uses gold nanoparticles assembled on cotton to create high-conductivity electrodes, improving efficiency and stability.
Scientists developed a machine learning approach to predict microbial pathways, allowing for faster design and development of biofuels. The method accurately predicted biofuel production profiles, outperforming traditional kinetic models.
A collaborative team from Washington University in St. Louis conducted field studies in Raipur, India, to quantify the true scope of particulate emissions from cookstoves. They found that emissions were higher than previously estimated, with some cases exceeding twice the levels detected in laboratory experiments.
Research by Samuel Haruna found that cover crops and perennial biofuel crops can relieve soil compaction, reducing the impact of fluctuating temperatures. These crops slow down temperature changes and retain moisture, allowing soils to better regulate temperature fluctuations.
Michigan State University researchers will use a $1.1 million grant to identify disease-resistant regions in switchgrass, aiming to produce more resilient crops for the emerging bio-based economy. The study's findings will provide valuable insights for breeders to improve switchgrass' viability and provide a consistent source of biofuels.
A study in São Paulo City found that switching from bio to fossil fuels in flex-fuel cars results in a 30% increase in ultrafine particulate matter. The rise in ethanol prices led to a decrease in its consumption, causing an increase in nanoparticles pollution.
Engineers at UC San Diego developed stretchable fuel cells that extract energy from sweat to power electronics. The biofuel cells generate 10 times more power per surface area than existing wearable biofuel cells.
Researchers find that including an indirect land use change factor in biofuel policies leads to a relatively small reduction in emissions at a high economic cost. The inclusion of this factor imposes a hidden tax on all fuels, increasing their carbon emissions per gallon and fuel prices for consumers.
A team of researchers, led by Cynthia Bartel, conducted a field study to explore the compatibility of perennial groundcover grasses with maize. The study aimed to reduce the environmental harm caused by removing maize stover while increasing the benefits of renewable biofuels.
Researchers discovered a unique transcription factor, MUTE, responsible for the superior function of stomata in grasses. Engineered Brachypodium plants lacking this protein grew poorly, highlighting its importance in enhancing photosynthetic capacity and water use efficiency.
The USDA has allocated $2.9 million for research into integrated biorefineries, which aim to create biofuels and bioproducts from renewable energy sources. This funding will support projects that address the challenges of scaling up and operating these facilities, with the goal of enhancing US energy security and economic growth.
Researchers found that both crops successfully sequestered more carbon in the soil than was lost from the soil surface, with sugarcane storing three times as much carbon. Deficit irrigation boosted soil carbon sequestration but reduced yield.
Consumers in three US cities showed willingness to pay a premium of up to 17% for second-generation biofuels, which are made from sustainable biological non-food sources. The study found that marketing efforts could improve perceptions and increase consumer adoption.
Researchers found that poplar trees and many other plants naturally produce zip-lignin, a compound that breaks down easily under simple chemical conditions. This discovery could lead to increased degradability of a vast array of plants through breeding or engineering.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a new method to harness the unused potential of photosynthesis by introducing an additional enzyme that captures more light energy. This innovation enables the efficient bioremediation of polluted wastewater areas, as shown in their study published in ACS Synthetic Biology.
Researchers developed an enzyme-based sensor that uses sweat to detect lactate levels, indicating potential muscle fatigue, stress, and dehydration. The sensor is powered by a biofuel cell, providing a renewable power source for a sustainable wearable device.
A recent study by University of Surrey researchers reveals that emissions from pizzerias and steakhouses using wood burners can have damaging effects on the urban environment. The findings highlight the need to consider unaccounted sources of emissions, including burning wood and domestic waste.
Researchers at PNNL are developing a computational tool to improve power grid planning and make hydrogen with a hybrid device. A new technology uses seaweed to create biofuel for cars and generators. These innovations aim to reduce energy costs, increase sustainability.
The institutions have selected two new research projects to receive funding through the Connecting through Research Partnerships Program. These projects aim to develop a supply chain model for biofuels and test a nasal delivery formulation of an encapsulated vaccine to prevent chlamydia.
The EU biofuels regime is failing to achieve its climate and environmental objectives due to a flawed regulatory framework. The study suggests that binding targets and effective governance mechanisms are needed to improve the system. This requires coherent and comprehensive regulation, as well as public-private cooperation.
A study found that government biofuel policies rely on reductions in food consumption to generate greenhouse gas savings. The reduction in food available for consumption drives the decline in carbon dioxide emissions. This means that less food is available, and prices go up, disproportionately affecting the world's poor.
Researchers at the University of Guelph have developed a simple procedure to transport wet farm waste and produce energy from it. Pressure cooking yields compact, easily transportable material that can be used in energy-producing plants, producing similar amounts of energy as coal.
Scientists have identified a new mutant plant that stores excessive amounts of starch, allowing it to maintain its size despite reduced sucrose availability. The NEX1 mutant combines high growth rates with large starch reserves, making it an attractive candidate for crops used as silage and human feed.
Computer simulations suggest that co-locating crops with solar panels could reduce water usage for solar farms in sunny, arid regions. Agave plants, which thrive at high temperatures and poor soil, are being considered as ideal crops for this approach.