Articles tagged with Biofuels Production
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A new life cycle assessment report from the Energy Biosciences Institute identifies seven grand challenges for biofuels, including understanding farmers, feedstock options, and land use, as well as characterizing tailpipe emissions and their health consequences. The report aims to provide a comprehensive framework for evaluating the en...
Researchers at the USDA's Vegetable and Forage Crops Research Laboratory in Prosser, Wash., have found promising alternatives to traditional crops for bioenergy production. These include canola, camelina, soybeans, mustard, and switchgrass, which could help supply Washington State with renewable fuels.
BGU's green algae strain can produce up to 12-15% DGLA, a precursor for anti-inflammatory prostaglandin E1. The collaboration aims to optimize DGLA production and develop a commercial pilot plant, valued at $300 million by 2015.
NextCAT Inc., a Detroit-based company, has received $250,000 in seed funding from Automation Alley to commercialize biodiesel catalyst technology developed at Wayne State University. This technology enables the use of cost-effective raw materials, such as waste vegetable oil and animal fats, to produce biodiesel.
Two Agave species have yielded significantly more than other biofuel crops in independent studies, making them a promising alternative for global energy needs. The crop's potential to thrive in semi-arid regions without significant land demands offers a sustainable and environmentally-friendly production method.
The University of Illinois study found that swine diets can include up to 15% glycerin and achieve comparable performance to a conventional corn:soybean diet. However, the study revealed no effect of feeding glycerin on meat quality. The availability and cost of glycerin may impact its use as a feed ingredient.
A Purdue University study finds the US is at a 'blending wall' for ethanol use, with insufficient infrastructure to increase production beyond current levels. Advances in next-generation biofuels, such as thermo-chemical biofuels, may provide a solution to meet federal renewable fuel standards.
A newly engineered yeast strain can simultaneously consume glucose and xylose, reducing inefficiencies in current biofuel production methods. The new strain produces more ethanol and consumes less time than existing strains, making it a significant breakthrough in cellulosic biofuel production.
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.
New NASA research reveals a significant increase in plant consumption globally, driven by growing populations and economic development. The global demand for land-based materials has risen from 20% to 25% over the past decade, with per capita consumption increasing in some regions.
A team of Bioengineers in the US has modified a bacterial strain to improve its ability to produce ethanol. The research reveals that adapting and metabolic engineering can be combined for strain improvement, increasing ethanol production.
Researchers believe metabolic engineering could revolutionize the production of chemicals, replacing non-renewable resources with bio-based alternatives. Jay Keasling's work aims to engineer microbes to perform complex chemistry, expanding product availability and reducing costs.
Researchers at Purdue University have identified the last undiscovered gene responsible for producing phenylalanine, a crucial amino acid in plant proteins and flower scent. This discovery could enable the control of phenylalanine production to boost plant nutritional values and improve biofuel feedstocks.
Researchers at Iowa State University found that single-cropping sorghum grass yields more ethanol than double-cropping systems. The study suggests using sorghum as a sole crop could meet up to 25% of the US energy needs, surpassing corn-based fuels.
A new report from the Energy Biosciences Institute projects that developing cost-competitive algae biofuel production will require long-term research and development. Several non-fuel applications of algae could advance the industry, but achieving economic viability will require additional income streams.
Researchers found that miscanthus has a high yield, up to three times higher than switchgrass in the Midwest, but also a higher initial cost. Biofuel grasses could be viable under certain conditions, with potential benefits for energy security and climate change mitigation.
Researchers created a technoeconomic model to simulate critical factors in biorefinery operations, enabling cost-efficient production and analysis of various processing scenarios. The model provides a transparent and open platform for the community to share findings and direct research efforts.
The study found that over 80% of new farmland created in the tropics between 1980 and 2000 came from felling forests, with significant implications for global warming. The research suggests that the rate of deforestation may be slowing, but the demand for agricultural production is expected to continue growing.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that feeding co-products and cornstalk residue in winter can reduce cow feed costs by up to $1 per day. The study compared various feeding methods and delivery systems, finding that smaller herds can save money by feeding free-choice cornstalk residue and handfeeding DDGS.
A Syracuse University research team has discovered a method to accelerate algae growth by manipulating light particles through nanobiotechnology. This process can enhance photosynthesis and lead to increased productivity in harvesting the feedstock for biodiesel production, while also reducing ecological resources required.
A University of Illinois scientist has identified four genes that increase alcohol tolerance in yeast, leading to higher ethanol yields and productivity. The discovery aims to make biofuel production more efficient and economical by reducing the toxic effects of biofuels on yeast.
A study from the Energy Biosciences Institute proposes using a range of plants, including perennial grasses and woody biomass, to produce sustainable cellulosic fuels. This approach could support ecosystem health worldwide by utilizing dedicated energy crops rather than repurposing food and feed crops.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a more efficient technique for producing biofuels from woody plants, reducing waste and increasing efficiency. The new method uses gaseous ozone to break down lignin and release carbohydrates, eliminating solid and liquid waste.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have engineered photosynthetic bacteria to produce simple sugars and lactic acid, offering a sustainable alternative for producing commodity chemicals. This innovation could lead to reduced carbon dioxide emissions and greater availability of biodegradable plastics.
Scientists discovered a fungus that produces oils suitable for biodiesel production, providing an alternative to edible oilseed plants. The fungus-based biodiesel meets commercial specifications and can be scaled for commercial production.
Researchers found that sewage sludge can be used to produce biodiesel fuel within a few cents of being competitive with petroleum-based diesel. The study suggests that microorganisms could be used to boost oil production in sludge, increasing biodiesel production capacity to over 10 billion gallons per year.
Researchers identified a gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae that enables it to convert five-carbon sugars like xylose into ethanol. This discovery may lead to the development of new, industrially-applicable strains for large-scale bioethanol production.
The reports examine the implications of producing biofuels from various sources, including forests, grasslands, and agricultural systems. Sustainable biofuels are based on production that does not negatively affect ecosystem health, and options include thermochemical, biochemical, and direct combustion methods.
A new study by MSU researchers suggests that state biofuel subsidies can be costly, but also highly effective in attracting ethanol producers to the industry. The study found that larger subsidies and tax credits increase the likelihood of an ethanol plant locating in a state.
The global biofuel drive poses a significant risk of eviction for African farmers as their lands are allocated for crop cultivation. Research highlights the need to consider the impact on food security, particularly in countries where food is scarce already.
Using productive farmland to grow crops for food instead of fuel is more energy efficient, according to a new study by MSU scientists. No-till production was found to be the most energy-efficient system for growing grain for food or fuel production.
ARS scientists have developed a method to access and ferment almost all plant sugars in wheat straw, boosting ethanol output by 93 gallons per ton. However, they also found that certain bacteria can infect ethanol plants, causing yield decreases of up to 27%.
Researchers at Purdue University have identified a hidden plant pathway that produces an essential amino acid called phenylalanine. This discovery could lead to increased nutritional value in food and improved biofuel production by reducing lignin content.
Researchers at Arizona State University have successfully engineered photosynthetic cyanobacteria to secrete fatty acids, which can be converted into oil for use as a renewable biofuel. This breakthrough could significantly increase the energy yield of biofuels while minimizing environmental impact.
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 have developed a GlidArc reactor that uses electrically-charged clouds of gas to produce super-clean fuels from waste materials. The process can be done at a low cost and using common materials, making it an attractive alternative for producing biofuels.
Iowa State University researcher is developing a micro-algal platform to stack desirable traits in algae, leading to increased oil production and hydrocarbon conversion for more sustainable biofuels. The goal is to create a flexible source of biofuels with reduced environmental impact.
A new process developed by UC Davis chemists increases biodiesel yields from oilseed crops like safflower by up to 24%. The method converts both plant oils and carbohydrates into a fuel cocktail that performs better at low temperatures.
Researchers are exploring algae as a promising new fuel source to meet the country's energy needs. Algae can produce biomass and oils, utilizing abundant sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water in optimal environments, which could lead to a significant reduction in land use requirements compared to traditional crops.
A new report by the Ecological Society of America highlights the need to address potential effects of land-use choices on ecosystems. Native perennial crops, such as switchgrass, are recommended as an inexpensive feedstock option that improves soil quality and provides habitat for native species.
A team of scientists from the University of Sheffield has created an air-lift loop bioreactor that consumes less than 18% more energy, making it a significant breakthrough in the production of alternative renewable fuels. The device is now being tested with various organizations to reduce energy consumption and costs.
A USDOE and USDA study found switchgrass to produce more dry biomass per dollar cost than the other three species, making it the optimal choice for a field. The study recommends fertilizing with 60 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year and harvesting once per year after senescence.
Researchers found that flax can produce up to 0.3 kg of ethanol per kg of dry biomass, but its overall environmental impact is lower than Brassica carinata. Bioethanol from these sources can help mitigate climate change and reduce greenhouse gases.
Researchers introduced a single bacterial gene into yeast to improve bioethanol production from agricultural waste, increasing ethanol yields while eliminating major byproducts glycerol and acetate. The innovation addresses second-generation bioethanol challenges, enabling more efficient and sustainable production.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a wet ethanol production method that produces more gallons of ethanol and usable co-products. This process involves soaking corn kernels, resulting in higher ethanol concentrations and better quality co-products compared to conventional dry fractionation methods.
Scientists have analyzed the genome structures of bioethanol-producing microorganisms, uncovering genetic clues that will be critical in developing new technologies needed to implement production on a global scale. The studies identified genomic properties of industrial fuel yeasts that likely gave rise to more robust strains.
Australian scientists have achieved world-leading oil production rates from algae grown in open saline ponds, paving the way for commercial quantities of clean biofuel. The multi-million dollar pilot plant will test the whole process on a larger scale and aims to produce biofuel at less than $1 a kilo.
Researchers at Kansas State University are exploring the feasibility of growing algae on large platforms in ocean water to produce oil. By understanding how algae attach to surfaces and grow, they aim to create a more efficient and cost-effective system for producing biodiesel, which could help the US transition away from fossil fuels.
A team of UCR researchers has successfully engineered a synthetic cellulosome in yeast, increasing its ethanol-tolerant capabilities. This breakthrough could enable efficient consolidated bioprocessing for bioethanol production from biomass, making renewable fuel production more economical.
Scientists will study switchgrass varieties under drought conditions to improve forecasts on productivity and identify genetic mechanisms of drought tolerance. The research aims to develop models predicting how climate change affects switchgrass production in North America.
A new study finds that a global biofuels program could result in twice as much carbon loss from displaced food crops and pastures as the CO2 emissions from land dedicated to biofuels production. Increased fertilizer use for biofuels production also causes significant nitrous oxide emissions, potentially surpassing CO2 emissions by 2100.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory identified an enzyme responsible for suberin production, which can help control water and nutrient transportation in plants. This discovery may lead to easier agricultural production of crops used for biofuels, enabling them to thrive in specific or harsh environments.
A study outlines a strategy for growing bioenergy while protecting wildlife habitats. The approach involves using perennial-dominated prairies as feedstocks to minimize harm to wildlife. Harvesting diverse prairie can avoid loss of wildlife habitat and high fertilizer runoff associated with corn ethanol cultivation.
New research shows that binge drinking inhibits production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, impairing immune system activation. The study found that alcohol suppresses TLR4's signaling, leading to a prolonged risk of infection
Salt-loving algae can be grown on marginal lands with brackish water, producing biofuels 10-30 times more than terrestrial crops. Their growth is non-seasonal, making them suitable for recycling atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Researchers mapped genetic mutations in Trichoderma reesei to boost cellulase production, increasing biofuel efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The study provides a blueprint for future studies on the fungus's genetic makeup.
Researchers have discovered that the juice of 'cull' watermelons can be efficiently fermented into ethanol, producing approximately 220 L/ha. This process also yields valuable nutrients like lycopene and L-citrulline.
Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a method to produce up to 30 grams of butanol per liter, doubling the current amount. This breakthrough could pave the way for butanol to replace gasoline in conventional automobiles.
A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that bioethanol production requires up to 861 billion gallons of water, with some regions consuming as much as 2,100 gallons per gallon of ethanol produced. This highlights the need for regional-specific considerations when implementing biofuel mandates.
A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota has developed a new, energy-efficient method for chemical separations using zeolite membranes. This breakthrough could significantly reduce the energy used in producing biofuels, such as ethanol and butanol, and enable higher production rates.