Articles tagged with Biomass
Researchers developed a thermogalvanic system from lignosulfonate, a papermaking black liquor component, to convert low-grade heat and sunlight into electricity. The system achieved a Seebeck coefficient of 4.3 mV/K and generated 1.56 V under a 40 K temperature difference.
Researchers used machine learning to map biomass variations of Chinese milk vetch in southern China, identifying key climate and geography factors that impact its growth. The study found nonlinear climate thresholds, with optimal biomass accumulation between 533-877 mm rainfall and 10.7-13.7°C temperatures.
Piezocatalysis, a process that converts mechanical energy into chemical driving forces, can break down biomass's complex lignocellulosic structure under mild conditions. The review highlights the potential of piezocatalysis to drive cleaner biomass conversion, with promising applications in fuels, resins, and biodegradable polymers.
Researchers have developed a defect-engineered metal-organic framework catalyst that converts glucose into lactic acid with substantially improved efficiency. The catalyst showed activity toward raw biomass feedstocks, producing a 62.8% lactic acid yield at 170°C after four hours when corn cobs were used directly as a biomass feedstock.
The ASPECT program will provide up to $58 million for bench-scale and pre-pilot scale projects to advance alternative or waste feedstock projects. SwRI will focus on scaling technologies beyond proof of concept and systems integration.
A two-year field study found that moderate biochar application improves soil quality, strengthens microbial activity, and helps vegetable crops make better use of nitrogen fertilizer. Biochar application rates above 20 t ha⁻¹ did not produce additional yield benefits and could disturb nutrient balance or microbial conditions.
Researchers developed a thermochromic ZnO coating that improves water repellency, self-cleaning behavior, and UV protection on wood surfaces. The coating reduces solar heat absorption while maintaining thermal radiation, resulting in a 10.4°C surface temperature reduction and 3.3°C average reduction in a model wooden house.
Recent developments in converting chitin and its derivatives into fibers have improved molecular orientation and strength. Functional chitin-derived fibers, including conductive and responsive fibers, are emerging as an emerging direction for sustainable textiles.
A new review suggests slow pyrolysis can reduce environmental risks while recovering materials, metals, and energy from contaminated agricultural biomass. The process involves controlled heating, producing biochar, bio-oil, and gases, with potential applications in soil amendment, water treatment, and metal recovery.
Researchers developed a bio-based Fe-MOF nanoreactor that combines natural-ligand chemistry with multimetallic redox catalysis, biomimetic targeting and MRI visibility. The nanoplatform produced a strong ROS response, increased apoptosis, and tumor inhibition in breast cancer cells and mice.
Researchers developed a cobalt-based catalyst that efficiently promotes oxygen reduction and evolution reactions in zinc-air batteries. The catalyst's curved carbon support and cobalt nanoparticles work together to improve oxygen electrocatalysis, enabling long-term bifunctional performance.
A new kinetic model couples lignin and hemicellulose dynamics to sharpen biorefinery predictions. The model uses controlled kinetics to release phenolic compounds and acetic acid gradually, turning lignin-derived inhibitors into measurable proxies for tracking bond cleavage.
A recent study published in Nature analyzed satellite estimates of biomass from tropical forests in the Amazon, Congo Basin, and Southeast Asia. The research found that temperature, aridity, soil nutrients, and other environmental variables affect forest biomass differently across regions.
The study reveals a sharp increase in biomass losses due to climate change-related events, with Central European forests being particularly impacted. The findings raise concerns about the European Union's ability to meet its climate goals, highlighting the need for adapted forest management practices.
Researchers at Kyushu University found that microwave heating creates high-temperature regions on nickel nanoparticles, accelerating hydrogen production and paving the way for low-carbon chemical manufacturing. The study showed a six-fold increase in hydrogen production compared to conventional heating.
Biochar researchers explore how changing reactor atmospheres can tailor materials for carbon storage, pollution control, and industrial applications. Alternative gases like CO2, steam, and ammonia can shape the production process and resulting materials.
A new fiber-optic-inspired technology has been developed to distribute sunlight more evenly throughout algae cultivation systems, increasing biomass productivity by as much as six times. This innovation could benefit various applications that rely on photosynthetic organisms, including biofuel production and carbon capture.
Researchers are transforming paper into sophisticated smart packaging that controls respiration, scrubbing ethylene to slow ripening for fruits and vegetables. For meat and seafood, the focus is on blocking oxygen and grease while embedding sensors that flag spoilage before it becomes obvious.
Biochar's performance in soil depends on its feedstock, production conditions, interactions with microorganisms, and aging processes. Practical measurements are needed to assess its functionality.
New research reveals altitude-dependent carbon storage mechanisms in diverse forest ecosystems. High-altitude conifer forests excel at storing carbon in biomass, while lower-elevation mixed broadleaf forests stabilize soil carbon. Effective forest management requires altitude-specific approaches to conserve biomass and enhance soil org...
The University of Tennessee has won up to $160 million for the BRIDGES Engine, a collaborative initiative driving rural economic development in Tennessee and Alabama. The project aims to generate millions of dollars in additional annual income for farmers and create thousands of jobs across the state.
A new pantropical carbon database synthesizes data from 146 studies to better understand the impact of forest degradation and regeneration on the global carbon cycle. The study reveals that degraded forests recover faster than fully cleared land, while preserving forest structure enhances carbon recovery.
A novel supramolecular film with switchable structural and adhesive functions has been developed, exceeding industry standards for wood adhesion. The film's unique structure retains strength in wet conditions and demonstrates high-performance bonding to wood substrates.
Researchers introduce scaffold-microenvironment decoupling approach to construct hierarchically tough yet open polymer scaffolds with highly conductive microenvironments. The resulting hydrogel exhibits integrated properties, including high mechanical strength, ultra-high ionic conductivity, and practical efficacy in three demanding el...
A novel dual-scale encapsulation strategy for thermal energy storage using bio-derived palmitic acid and nanocellulose is reported. The composite achieved excellent shape stability and leakage resistance with a cumulative leakage rate of only 0.03% after heating.
Researchers developed a novel approach to convert technical lignin into functional coatings using low-energy suspension plasma spraying (LE-SPS). The new technique eliminates the need for solvents, crosslinkers, or catalysts, and produces continuous and dense coatings with improved UV attenuation and anti-fogging behavior.
A study by Southeast University and Korea University provides a roadmap for converting biomass into renewable energy and chemicals. The researchers highlight the potential of biomass chemical looping (BCL) for producing hydrogen, methanol, and other low-carbon products.
Researchers developed a cellulose-based aerogel inspired by white beetles' optical structure, achieving high solar reflectance and infrared emissivity through hierarchical photonic scattering networks. The material achieved daytime subambient cooling of up to 7.1 °C and reduced building energy consumption by 43.5% on average.
Researchers designed a biomimetic triple-network hydrogel inspired by octopus skin, combining rigid photonic ordering with soft polymer networks. The material demonstrated substantial improvements in mechanical strength and structural color response under deformation.
The EU's plans for domestic production of fossil-free aviation fuels risk steering development towards more expensive and energy-intensive pathways. A study from Chalmers University of Technology found that the current regulatory framework favours combustion-based alternatives over gasification, leading to increased costs and energy use.
The study found a clear hump-shaped elevational pattern with species richness peaking at approximately 600 m, supporting the mid-domain effect. Community structure was differentiated by body size and biomass, with lizards contributing most of the individuals but only 66% of total biomass.
New study finds anaerobic digestion of hemp hurd-based bioplastic systems delivers the best environmental outcome, generating up to 6.1 kg less CO2 emissions per 1 kg mulch film treated. The production process significantly affects the final carbon footprint of biocomposites.
A mild chemical strategy enhances interfacial bonding and pore structure in biomass-based magnesium cement materials, leading to improved mechanical strength and thermal insulation. The approach promotes more uniform pore distribution, stabilizes the foam structure within the composite, and reduces environmental burden.
A new study reveals that declining floating-leaf plants release harmful nutrients, but also trigger a microbial process that converts simple organic matter into resilient, long-term carbon storage. This process enhances the lake's ability to sequester carbon through a microbial carbon pump.
Microalgae are transformed into functionalized composite bioproducts for precision diagnosis, targeted therapy, and integrated theranostics. They offer exceptional biological properties for biomedical engineering, including molecular loading, active movement, and intense autofluorescence for imaging applications.
Researchers developed a highly efficient biochar-supported catalyst that converts biomass-derived chemicals into valuable industrial products under remarkably mild conditions. The study demonstrates the untapped potential of biochar as an active partner in catalysis.
Researchers develop synergistic ultramicropore-confined and electronic-state modulation strategies in sustainable lignin-derived hard carbon to achieve robust sodium-ion batteries. The material exhibits high reversible capacity and initial Coulombic efficiency, making it a promising anode candidate.
Wachs was recognized for his work on mixed oxide catalysts that guide the rational design of solid catalysts for air pollution remediation, sustainable energy, fuels, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. His election to the NAE honors his contributions to chemical engineering and the modern field of operando molecular spectroscopy.
A new study provides practical guidance for cleaner energy production by comparing open burning, kilowatt scale grate combustion, megawatt scale grate combustion, and circulating fluidized bed boiler technology. Biomass combustion remains a widely used thermochemical pathway, but it can release harmful gaseous pollutants. The research ...
Researchers have developed a chemical-free method to upcycle waste chitin into high-performance porous carbons, which can efficiently capture and release hydrocarbons. The materials' pore structure can be precisely tuned through steam activation time, leading to improved adsorption and desorption performance.
The conversion of waste lignocellulosic biomass into high-value soil amendments can enhance soil structure, increase water retention, and lock away carbon. Several technological pathways are explored, including slow pyrolysis, mild torrefaction, and solid-state fermentation.
Mannitol outperforms other green additives in slowing re-polymerisation of cellulose-lignin linkages, cutting molecular weight and raising hydrogenolysis monomer yield. The additive forms an average of 28 hydrogen bonds per simulation box, effectively capping sites where carbocations normally form.
Researchers have created a method to convert waste cigarette butts into nitrogen and oxygen co-doped nanoporous biochar with exceptional performance as an electrode material for supercapacitors. The material achieved a specific capacitance of nearly 345 farads per gram, demonstrating its potential for real-world applications.
A new review highlights how converting biomass into gaseous fuels like hydrogen, methane, and syngas can play a critical role in the global transition to low-carbon energy systems. Biomass-based gaseous fuels can be used for electricity generation, industrial heat, transportation, and as building blocks for chemicals and synthetic fuels.
Researchers at EPFL developed thermal paper coatings using lignin, a major component of wood, which have low or no toxic signatures. The new formulations match commercial thermal paper performance while showing improved safety profiles.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new plant-based plastic made from cellulose that rapidly degrades in natural environments, eliminating microplastic waste. The biodegradable plastic can be adjusted in strength and flexibility with added choline chloride, providing a practical solution to ocean pollution.
This webinar discusses the potential of bio-based carbon capture to deliver up to 6.7 gigatonnes of CO2-equivalent mitigation annually by 2050. It explores how biomass can transform climate mitigation, offering scalable and equitable pathways to net-zero.
Bio-based carbon capture offers a 'triple win' for people, planet, and productivity through decentralized systems cutting synthetic fertilizer use by 20-40% and boosting crop yields by 10-25%. Long-term incorporation of biomass into soils via compost and biochar increases soil organic carbon by 10-40%, improving fertility and resilience.
Researchers at Colorado State University found that some tropical forest plants are adapting to drought by growing longer root systems, potentially helping reduce vulnerability. The study's findings suggest flexibility under drying conditions may rescue the forest, but long-term implications remain uncertain.
Biochar's applications in urban areas include reducing volatile organic compounds, improving cement durability, increasing crop yields, and removing heavy metals from water. However, large-scale adoption faces challenges such as standardized production methods and economic incentives.
Prof. Weihong Yang explores innovative strategies to replace fossil-based materials with sustainable, bio-based graphite in lithium-ion batteries and other electrochemical systems. The webinar provides key insights into converting bioprecursors into fossil-free graphite.
Researchers at Kyoto University used LiDAR to measure the crown structure of 4,326 canopy trees across 23 forest census plots in Japan. The analysis revealed that canopy trees account for about 75% of total forest biomass across diverse forest types, providing a foundation for estimating total forest biomass and supporting sustainable ...
Researchers evaluated 13 sorghum hybrids for biomass yield potential and feedstock quality under various nitrogen fertilization levels. H1 and H13 were identified as top performers, exhibiting superior biomass yield and energy-rich feedstock composition.
Researchers developed a gravity-driven biochar microreactor from rattan, achieving ultrahigh flux and complete degradation of common pollutants. The system activated peroxymonosulfate through a non-radical pathway, with boundary-like defects as primary active sites.
A new meta-analysis of 125 studies reveals that adding biochar to composting systems boosts compost quality and slashes harmful greenhouse gas emissions by up to 51%. Biochar improves aeration, holds nutrients, and creates a favorable habitat for beneficial microbes, accelerating the composting process.
Researchers transform corn stover into microbial lipids using alkaline storage, gentle steam, and squeeze detoxification. The process delivers high sugar recovery and lipid content, reducing water demand by one-third compared to conventional methods.
Scientists have developed an end-to-end microbial process converting renewable plant oils into sustainable polyesters comparable to petroleum-based plastics. The two-step process achieved record-setting yields and productivity, paving the way for a scalable and environmentally viable alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers develop multifunctional aerogels combining thermal insulation, flame retardancy, and mechanical robustness using bio-based nanocellulose. The resulting aerogels exhibit low thermal conductivity, high flame resistance, and impressive strength and flexibility.
Researchers from Southeast University explore recent advances in catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) for converting lignin-derived compounds into biofuels and high-value chemicals. Key findings include metal sulfides, noble metal catalysts, and non-noble metal catalysts showing high activity and aromatic selectivity.
Researchers at the University of Maine Forest Bioproducts Research Institute have discovered a sustainable method to produce (S)-3-hydroxy-γ-butyrolactone, a crucial building block in pharmaceuticals. This approach could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and production costs by up to 60%.