Articles tagged with Biofuels Production
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory identified a key molecular signal that helps plant cells decide when to produce oil. The study found that trehalose 6-phosphate interacts with the sugar-sensing complex, inhibiting the shutdown of oil production and leading to increased oil synthesis.
A new chemical method developed by Jeremy Luterbacher's lab at EPFL stabilizes simple sugars, preventing degradation and increasing yield. This breakthrough could accelerate the emergence of renewable consumer products.
Researchers at the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology aim to understand the design principles behind microbial community division of labor. They plan to use these principles to engineer microbial communities to produce chemicals through metabolic engineering.
Renewable biofuels have huge potential, but two main challenges need to be overcome: developing efficient microbial cell factories and converting biomass into sugars. The study suggests that improving these processes could make biomass-derived hydrocarbons a real alternative to fossil fuels.
Scientists at the University of Nottingham have found a way to produce Bioethanol using seawater and a novel marine yeast strain, reducing the need for freshwater resources. This breakthrough could help alleviate concerns over food crop and water usage, making it a more sustainable fuel alternative.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have identified an enzyme, GPAT1, as a promising target for increasing biofuel production from red algae. The study found that TAG productivity could be increased by more than 56 times in a strain overexpressing GPAT1 without negative effects on algal growth.
Researchers at KAUST have combined computer analysis with laser-based measurements to understand NOx production pathways in different fuel types, finding that alcohol fuels produce up to 50% less nonthermal NOx than conventional fossil fuels.
Researchers at Nara Institute of Science and Technology have developed a novel method to detect specific metabolites in microalgae cells. By combining fluorogenic aptamers with femtosecond laser photoporation, scientists can identify efficient cells for metabolic engineering applications.
Researchers from Brazil's National Energy & Materials Research Center (CNPEM) have discovered a key enzyme that can boost the efficiency of sugarcane bagasse saccharification, a crucial step in producing second-generation ethanol. The enzyme, produced by microorganisms living in Lake Poraquê in the Amazon, shows high glucose tolerance ...
Scientists at the University of Turku have discovered an efficient way to transform solar energy into chemical hydrogen through photosynthesis of green algae, extending hydrogen production by several days. The new method shows that a major obstacle to efficient hydrogen production is not oxygen, but competition between metabolic pathways.
The project, led by Pacific Northwest National Lab, aims to develop a new method for producing and harvesting seaweed for biofuels. The team plans to deploy a three-mile-long recycled carbon fiber cable adrift in the open ocean to cultivate macroalgae.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory discovered that plants have a built-in brake on oil production, which can be disabled to increase biofuel and bioproduct synthesis. Disabling the gene for an inactive enzyme subunit increases oil production even under normal conditions.
A team of NUS engineers discovered a novel method to convert cellulose to biobutanol directly using the Thermoanaerobacterium thermosaccharolyticum TG57 strain, isolates from mushroom waste. This breakthrough could improve sustainability and reduce costs in biofuel production without competing with food crops.
Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and JBEI have discovered a new enzyme that enables microbial production of toluene, an aromatic biofuel. The discovery is a major breakthrough in biotechnology, expanding the known catalytic range of glycyl radical enzymes and opening up new possibilities for renewable energy.
Scientists at Princeton University have developed a method to control the metabolism of living cells using light, enabling the production of commercially valuable chemicals. This technique allows for the creation of biofuels like isobutanol, which could potentially replace gasoline as a vehicle fuel.
A recent study by Colorado State University found that biofuels produced from switchgrass can store carbon in the soil, sequestering it and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The research used a simulation model to analyze various growing scenarios, finding a climate footprint ranging from -11 to 10 grams of carbon dioxide per mega-joule.
A study of ancient insects has provided new insights into future biofuel production. The firebrats' unique digestive system has revealed the presence of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs), a new class of enzyme that efficiently digests cellulose. This discovery could lead to the development of sustainable low-carbon fuels.
The Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center aims to design advanced biofuels, such as isobutanol, that can replace gasoline without engine modification. The center is also developing new methods to extract valuable products from plant biomass, including gamma valerolactone and aromatics.
Small-holder farmers in Kenya are eager to cultivate croton trees for oil production, animal feed, and organic fertilizer. The study found that most households have croton trees already, and they would be willing to plant more if there's a dedicated market.
Researchers have created an electrochemical generator that converts bituminous coal into electrical energy, producing only water and heat as byproducts. The technology has been proven effective in joint generation of electrical and heat energy, with the added benefit of a simpler configuration compared to existing coal power plants.
Researchers at the University of Kent and Bristol have built a miniature scaffold inside bacteria, enabling efficient production of chemicals and biofuels. The technology, which can increase alcohol production by over 200%, has significant implications for the next generation of biofuel production.
Researchers at Kanazawa University developed a novel carboxylate-type liquid zwitterion that can dissolve biomass cellulose with low toxicity to microorganisms. This innovation enables efficient ethanol production without washing or separation processes, reducing energy input and increasing energy efficiency.
Jens Nielsen's groundbreaking work in systems biology and engineering has earned him a gold medal from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. His research focuses on developing efficient cell factories for sustainable production of fuels and chemicals, with implications for a more sustainable lifestyle.
Scientists propose expanding sugarcane production in Brazil to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions. The idea involves converting hundreds of thousands of square miles into sugarcane fields while allowing for expansion of other agricultural crops and human needs.
Scientists have created Algal droplet bioreactors on a chip that can screen millions of cells for improved growth rates and lipid content. The technology holds promise for accelerating the discovery of super algal strains that can efficiently produce biofuels, potentially making commercial-scale production a reality.
Researchers at Tokyo Tech have developed a highly selective Ru/Nb2O5 catalyst that produces primary amines from carbonyl compounds with ammonia, achieving yields of up to 99% and outperforming other catalysts.
Penn State researchers have developed a novel approach to efficiently convert potato waste into ethanol, achieving a maximum ethanol concentration of 37.93 grams per liter in a co-culture biofilm reactor. The process eliminates the need for externally added enzymes and energy costs, reducing production costs and increasing productivity.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a novel method to convert used cooking oil into biofuel using recycled carbon materials. Additionally, they have found a way to insulate the innermost wall of a fusion reactor to maintain the delicate balance between hot plasma and cool exhaust. Furthermore, scientists have di...
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have developed a new biomass pretreatment technique that significantly reduces production time for biofuels, making them safer and more efficient. The new method can produce methane 172 per cent faster than traditional processes using forestry waste products like Douglas fir bark.
A new study from the University of Illinois found that corn is more valuable for food production than biofuel, with a net social and economic worth of $1,492 per hectare. The research also highlighted the importance of soil nutrients in determining the environmental impacts of corn production.
This review article showcases the potential of biomass and its derived wastes in producing sustainable bioproducts and fuels. The authors highlight various conversion processes, including bioethanol, biodiesel, and biomethane production, as well as activated carbon manufacturing from bioresources.
Researchers reveal breakthrough method to release glucose from cellulose in rice straw, improving ethanol production without chemical treatment. The approach could benefit various cereals and grass species worldwide, reducing lignin content and increasing biomass digestibility.
A Japanese research team has discovered the mechanism behind oil synthesis in microalgae cells, which could contribute to the development of more efficient biofuels. The findings revealed that adding seawater increases the production of triacylglycerol, a key component of oil.
Researchers found that algal residue can be converted into vital chemicals, including alkyl lactate and levulinate. This process opens up new potential uses for algae biomass as a carbon resource beyond biofuels.
A team of researchers has successfully engineered sugarcane to produce oil in its leaves and stems, resulting in higher oil content without compromising sugar production. This breakthrough could lead to the development of dual-purpose bioenergy crops that are more profitable and sustainable than traditional soybeans and corn.
A research team at Brookhaven National Laboratory has identified a previously unknown link between a protein controlling sugar balance and one turning on oil production in plants. By exploring the energy balance of plants, scientists have found a potential way to increase oil yield from crops grown for biofuels and biomaterials.
A new collaborative project is using a unique climate-simulating laboratory system to quickly identify promising algae strains for renewable fuels. The Algae DISCOVR Project aims to reduce the cost and time needed to move promising algal strains from the laboratory to production.
The study analyzes albedo effects on climate change induced by converting land to produce biofuels, finding corn ethanol has a net cooling effect while miscanthus and switchgrass exhibit net warming effects. The research provides a more accurate picture of climate effects of biofuel feedstock production.
EPFL scientists have discovered a way to convert lignin from plant biomass into valuable molecules for biofuels and plastics using formaldehyde. The method resulted in yields 3-7 times higher than those without formaldehyde, offering a potential solution for sustainable energy production.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have found that microalgae produce hydrogen all day long, not just in short bursts. They increased production by 400% through genetic engineering and discovered effective mechanisms to remove oxygen, making it clear algae have huge potential for clean energy production.
The global aviation industry aims to halve its net carbon emissions by 2050 through improved engines and biofuels, with over 2,500 flights using alternative fuels already completed. The transition is underway, but more funding and policy support are needed for biofuel production
A new study from University of Michigan researchers found that biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel increase, rather than decrease, heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions. The study analyzed U.S. crop-production data and found that only 37% of the CO2 emissions due to biofuel combustion were offset by the CO2 uptake by crops.
A team from Washington University in St. Louis has developed a new method to produce biofuels in E. coli bacteria, boosting BCFA manufacture to 80 percent of all fuel products, and opening up potential applications for pharmaceuticals and other useful products.
Researchers developed a new technique using modified strains that consume xenobiotic nutrients, allowing them to outcompete other microorganisms. This method enables mass biofuel production without the use of antibiotics, which is poised as a more sustainable energy source.
A new metabolic engineering technique could significantly reduce the cost and environmental impact of producing liquid biofuels and biochemicals. The approach eliminates the need for antibiotics during biofuel production by giving producer microbes an advantage over unwanted invaders.
Biological engineers at Cornell University have discovered a way to ferment carbon monoxide into ethanol using an anaerobic microbe. The process is controlled by thermodynamics rather than enzyme expression, making it a potential solution for producing biofuel from industrial waste gases.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have harnessed carbon dioxide to neutralize toxicity in ionic liquids, streamlining the biofuel production process and reducing costs. The process could significantly lower production expenses and make biofuels more sustainable.
Researchers are using multidisciplinary approaches to genetically improve disease resistance, flooding tolerance, and cell wall composition in sorghum. This work aims to maximize the usefulness of sorghum as a bioenergy crop while minimizing input requirements.
Recent advances in genomics, physiology, and genetic manipulation enable the bioengineering of new strains of algae. Eukaryotic microalgae are being utilized to produce environmentally friendly, renewable biomaterials and biofuels.
KAIST researchers deciphered the genome and proteome profiles of C. tyrobutyricum, revealing its unique metabolic features and energy conservation mechanisms. The bacterium shows higher tolerance to toxic compounds like 1-butanol, enabling efficient production of chemicals including butyric acid.
Researchers have identified a type of wild sorghum, known as Arun, which yields significantly more bioethanol than other varieties. The plant's stems contain high levels of a component thought to inhibit bioethanol production, but a high level of easily fermentable sugar negates this effect.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab engineered a strain of bacteria that enables a one-pot method for producing advanced biofuels from plant material, simplifying the production process and potentially lowering costs. The breakthrough could help make biofuels a viable competitor to fossil fuels.
UCLA biochemists have devised a method to convert sugar into various useful chemical compounds without using cells. The approach, called synthetic biochemistry, has shown promise in producing complex enzyme systems that can function well enough for industrial applications.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis created a quality-control tool called PopQC to ensure hard-working cells dominate in microbial fermentation processes, resulting in threefold enhanced production of free fatty acid and tyrosine. This innovation addresses the universal problem of biological noise, which affects the work ...
A recent study by University of Illinois researchers demonstrates that biodiesel produced from sugarcane can be more economical than soybean-based biodiesel. With sugarcane producing up to 12% oil, it offers a promising solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on foreign oil.
A review of bioprospecting studies identifies biosurfactant-producing microorganisms and sustainable production methods to manufacture low-cost biosurfactants from agro-industrial waste. The study highlights the advantages of biosurfactants over chemical counterparts, including higher biodegradability and lower toxicity.
A study found that 4% of agricultural land and 3-4% of fresh water are used for biofuel production, which could feed 280 million more people if used for food. The increasing competition between fuel and food production threatens global food security due to the growing world population.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new pretreatment method using sodium percarbonate and hydrodynamic cavitation to improve sugar formation in biomass. The method outperformed existing ultrasonic systems in producing fermentable sugars.
Researchers optimize algae-based biorefineries to produce cleaner energy with reduced costs and carbon footprint. The study's model uses flue gases as a source of CO2, reducing expenses by almost 90%.
GCEP has awarded over $177 million since its launch in 2002 to support global climate change efforts through innovative energy technologies. Researchers will focus on developing lightweight materials, high-efficiency solar devices and microbial production of biofuels.