Articles tagged with Biofuels Production
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Research overturns the dogma that algae growth and oil production are mutually exclusive by showing that feeding more carbon increases oil production. This discovery may lead to new ways to turn photosynthetic green algae into tiny 'green factories' for producing raw materials for alternative fuels.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have identified key elements in the biochemical mechanism plants use to limit fatty acid production. They found that a specific intermediate inhibits oil synthesis, leading them to discover an enzyme that regulates this process.
A new podcast from the American Chemical Society explores how meeting current biofuel production targets with existing technology would significantly reduce food production, leading to widespread environmental concerns. The study's findings highlight the need for more accurate estimates of biofuel production capabilities.
Researchers at JBEI have identified a tropical rainforest microbe that can endure relatively high concentrations of an ionic liquid used to dissolve cellulosic biomass. The discovery holds broad implications beyond the production of advanced biofuels, offering a potential solution to reduce biofuel production costs.
A study predicts that climate change and biofuel mandates will increase corn price volatility by 50% by 2040, exacerbating the impact of extreme heat events on corn yields. The federal mandate for biofuel production could lead to higher prices for livestock producers and consumers.
Researchers developed models to address complex interactions among multiple stakeholders in the biofuel supply chain. They found that diverting corn crops to ethanol can affect food prices, but overall system welfare improves, with farmers as primary beneficiaries. The study's holistic model provides guidelines for optimizing the biofu...
A new method to control a heat-loving microbe has been discovered, enabling its use as a miniature factory for producing biofuels and other materials. By inserting a gene from another organism into the hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus, researchers can switch on lactate production at lower temperatures.
A new study from the University of Illinois concludes that learning-by-doing played a significant role in reducing the processing costs of corn ethanol in the US. The study found that biofuel policies, which induced ethanol production beyond free-market levels, contributed to increased industry competitiveness over time.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have assembled the draft genome of marine algae Nannochloropis gaditana to discover optimal species for producing biodiesel fuel. Genetic modification reveals the algae's potential for industrial-scale biofuel production, a game-changer in fuel research and production.
Researchers develop a new technique to dynamically regulate metabolic pathways in microbes, boosting the production of biodiesel by threefold. The dynamic sensor-regulator system (DSRS) can detect metabolic changes and control gene expression to optimize productivity.
JBEI researchers have engineered Escherichia coli bacteria to generate significant quantities of methyl ketone compounds from glucose, which yielded high cetane numbers comparable to gasoline. The findings add flexibility and options for the biofuels industry, with potential applications in producing advanced biofuels.
A new study suggests that the US could produce 136 billion gallons of ethanol per year by 2022, but this would require dedicating 80% of farmland to biofuel crops or converting 60% of rangeland to biofuels. Both options would significantly reduce food production and potentially worsen environmental impacts.
Scientists have identified a promising maize hybrid that can produce ethanol from biomass, potentially reducing the need for fertilizers and creating a more sustainable feedstock. The hybrid combines beneficial traits of tropical and temperate maize, resulting in increased biomass production and ethanol output.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have identified a new maize hybrid that produces ethanol from biomass, potentially offering a more sustainable feedstock for biofuel production. The hybrid grows larger and accumulates more stalk sugars than conventional grain hybrids, increasing ethanol output.
A team of UMass Amherst chemical engineers has discovered a 'mini-cellulose' molecule that behaves like cellulose when converted to biofuel. This breakthrough enables the use of computer simulations to study biomass conversion, which could lead to more efficient and cost-effective biofuels.
The study focuses on Caldicellulosiruptor obsidiansis, a bacterium that breaks down organic material at high temperatures. Researchers found that growth on switchgrass prompted the organism to express new proteins and enzymes involved in plant cell wall deconstruction.
Bio Architecture Lab's technology has engineered an enzyme to degrade alginate and a pathway to metabolize it, making seaweed a cost-effective source of biomass for renewable fuel production. The company's breakthrough could help meet increasing global demand for renewable energy sources.
Researchers identified a three-dimensional crystal structure of the Abies grandis α-bisabolene synthase, an enzyme that produces bisabolene, a precursor to bisabolane. This breakthrough could lead to improved catalytic efficiency and stability, enabling microbes to produce bisabolene faster.
Joint BioEnergy Institute researchers have developed CAD-type models and simulations for RNA molecules, enabling the design of complex RNA-based control systems. These systems can process cellular information and program gene expression, holding enormous potential for microbial-based sustainable production of advanced biofuels.
Researchers at the Joint BioEnergy Institute have successfully engineered E. coli bacteria to digest switchgrass biomass and synthesize its sugars into all three major transportation fuels: gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. This breakthrough reduces fuel production costs by consolidating two steps into one, enabling a single-step operation.
Researchers at UGA developed a 'super strain' of yeast that can efficiently ferment ethanol from pretreated pine, increasing ethanol production by up to 17.5% compared to previous studies. The new process has the potential to utilize forestry residues and waste, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional biofuels.
A new study published in the journal Biofuels Bioproducts & Biorefinin suggests that wood-based biofuel can compete with corn ethanol for a share of the renewable fuels market. The research identifies opportunities to reduce costs and increase economic viability through technological advancements and economies-of-scale.
A comprehensive study found that biofuels produced from West Coast forests would release more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than current forest management practices. The study examined various forest types and management approaches, concluding that even optimal efficiency levels would increase emissions by up to 14%.
A global plan for sustainable agriculture has been developed to increase food production by doubling current levels, while minimizing environmental damage. The plan combines data from crop records and satellite images to create new models of agricultural systems.
The USDA has awarded $40 million to the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) and the University of Washington to produce domestic aviation fuel using sustainable wood biomass. The projects aim to overcome technical barriers, such as lignin breakdown, to make woody materials viable for biofuel production.
Researchers identify enzymes from fungi like Thielavia terrestris and Muceliophthora thermophila, which thrive at high temperatures, to accelerate biomass breakdown and improve biofuel production. The discoveries have great promise for significant improvements over existing systems.
The University of Washington and Washington State University are leading two separate $40 million grants to develop a regional biofuels industry in the Pacific Northwest. The projects aim to produce cellulosic fuels from woody biomass, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. Successful demonstration projects will lay the foundat...
A multi-state research team will develop a blueprint for using marginal farmlands to grow perennial grasses for biomass, reducing soil erosion and increasing carbon sequestration. The study aims to create a market for perennial grass that gives farmers a solid return, promoting sustainable land use and biofuel production.
Researchers at JBEI have identified a potential new advanced biofuel, bisabolane, that could replace diesel fuel with lower freezing and cloud points. The biofuel was produced using synthetic biology tools and engineered microbes to create a precursor, bisabolene.
Researchers introduce the 'midway' strategy to produce sustainable ethanol from sugarcane, minimizing impacts on biodiversity. The approach involves biotechnology, genetically improved crops, and policies supporting sustainable land management.
Researchers discovered that a commercial enzyme can extract water from an ethanol byproduct, reducing electricity, natural gas, and energy consumption. This could significantly decrease the amount of greenhouse gases emitted during ethanol production.
Researchers have discovered a method to overcome the chemical intractability of cellulose, allowing its efficient conversion into bioethanol. This breakthrough represents a major step towards industrial production of fuels and chemicals from renewable cellulose in waste plant matter.
Scientists have identified bacteria in giant panda feces with potent effects on breaking down plant material, which could be used to produce biofuels. These bacteria can convert up to 95% of plant biomass into simple sugars, eliminating the need for high heat and pressure processes.
The US and over 50 countries have integrated biofuels into fuel supply since the 1920s, with government policies relying on corn and other food crops. However, a more realistic view of biofuel potential has emerged, highlighting negative impacts on rural economies and greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists have discovered that alligator fat can be converted into high-quality biodiesel, meeting official standards and rivaling soybean oil in composition. The alligator meat industry's waste product is now being explored as a non-food source of biodiesel fuel.
A team of researchers at DOE's BioEnergy Science Center has pinpointed the single gene controlling ethanol production capacity in a microorganism. This breakthrough discovery could lead to developing biomass crops that produce higher concentrations of ethanol at lower costs, addressing our reliance on imported oil.
A University of Oklahoma-led research team has received a $1.28 million grant to improve the efficiency of biofuel production from switchgrass plants. The project aims to identify genetic variations associated with superior conversion qualities and test their correlation in independent populations.
Algae-based fuel produces high energy output with minimal land use, but its production is associated with significant environmental costs. The research suggests that algae-based biofuels may not be a silver bullet for replacing petroleum as a transportation energy source.
A Michigan State University study shows that converting Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land to corn and soybean production creates a significant carbon debt. Growing CRP grasses for cellulosic ethanol instead provides immediate energy and climate benefits, with no carbon debt.
A new computational chemistry tool developed by Solvejg Jorgensen at the University of Copenhagen predicts the toxicity of biofuels without producing a single drop. The tool helps identify the safest production methods, reducing health and environmental harm.
Scientists developed a computational model to analyze rapeseed plant metabolism and optimize oil production. The model, published in the Plant Journal, can simulate complex metabolic processes under varying conditions, helping identify ways to maximize carbon conversion to biomass.
A new software program, called a DNA compiler, designs synthetic DNA sequences to control protein production in simple organisms. The technology allows biotechnology companies to quickly identify the best DNA sequence for a particular application, increasing efficiency and productivity.
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev is part of a new consortium creating the Israeli Center for Research Excellence in renewable energies. The team will focus on developing energy-rich biomass as a biofuel feedstock and exploring innovative solutions for sustainable energy production.
A Purdue University study discovered a combination of enzymes in termite guts and symbionts that can efficiently break down woody biomass for biofuel production. The researchers found that the enzymes work together synergistically to release sugars from plant material, which is essential for creating biofuels like ethanol.
Researchers found that July is the best month for kelp harvesting due to its high carbohydrate levels and low metal content. The use of kelp as a biofuel source has potential to provide a storable energy source, mitigating the limitations of other renewables like wind power.
A new analysis finds that most countries participating in REDD+ cite agriculture as the main cause of deforestation, but few provide details on how to address this issue. Countries pursuing food and biofuel production policies are intensifying agriculture-related pressures on forest lands.
A research team at Arizona State University has developed a process that reprograms photosynthetic microbes to secrete high-energy fats, eliminating the need for costly additional processing steps. This breakthrough could make renewable biofuels more commercially viable.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a fungus-based process that improves the economics of ethanol production by producing high-quality animal feed and cleaning water for recycling. The MycoMeal process has the potential to save US ethanol producers up to $800 million per year in energy costs.
Researchers at JBEI have developed a library of microbial efflux pumps that can alleviate biofuel toxicity in E. coli, enabling improved biofuel production. The study identified two effective pumps, including one from Alcanivorax borkumensis, which increased limonene production by microbes.
The Nuffield Council on Bioethics proposes a framework to address ethical concerns in biofuel production, focusing on human rights, environmental sustainability, and fair trade. Biofuels are seen as a vital renewable energy source, but current policies have backfired, causing deforestation and displacing indigenous populations.
The Iowa State University team created an interactive simulator, I-BOS, which replicates real-world biorefinery operations and includes features like video clips from actual plants and emergency scenarios. This tool can help train employees to operate a biorefinery more efficiently.
A new study shows that optimal algal biofuel growth locations can significantly reduce water use, potentially replacing up to 48% of the country's transportation oil imports. Algae-derived oils could also meet congressionally mandated renewable fuel targets and provide a carbon-neutral energy source.
A study by Kansas State University researchers found that producing eco-friendly diesel fuel from algae is technically feasible but economically unviable. The team's analysis revealed that scaling up algae production to meet demand would require a massive investment, surpassing the laws of physics and economics.
A study by UC Riverside's Charles Wyman and colleagues found a correlation between the S/G ratio and increased sugar yields in poplar tree candidates. The research could lead to less expensive production of biofuels with no pretreatment required, reducing the price of liquid transportation fuels.
Researchers found that blocking carbon dioxide fixation enables bacteria to produce more hydrogen gas, a promising biofuel. The Calvin cycle, responsible for carbon dioxide fixation, competes with hydrogen production for electrons.
Research on Diffuse Interstellar Bands (DIBs) in distant galaxies led to the discovery of Buckminsterfullerene, a new form of carbon that gave birth to nanotechnology. The study highlights the potential benefits of funding research with no obvious immediate use.
Researchers at UCLA's Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have developed a way to produce normal butanol — often proposed as a
Researchers at UCLA have successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using proteins as a significant raw material for biorefining and biofuel production. This breakthrough could potentially reduce greenhouse gas emissions by recycling nitrogen from protein biomass.
Virginia Tech researchers have discovered an enzyme mixture that can work in the presence of toxic infused liquid biomass, eliminating the need for detoxification and reducing production costs. The enzyme cocktail increases biofuel yields by avoiding the production of by-products and synthesis of cell mass.
The study concludes that replacing 30% of petroleum consumption with biofuels by 2030 is technically possible, but the cost will be high, with biomass prices ranging from $140 to over $200 per metric ton. The research team identified miscanthus and switchgrass as promising high-yielding crops for biomass production.