Gene-Editing Strikes Oil: High-Yield Camelina Revolutionizes Biofuel
Scientists have increased oil production in Camelina sativa by 21.4% by gene-editing the TT8 gene, paving the way for more efficient biofuel crops. As initiatives…
Biofuel News
Biofuel is a type of energy derived from biological materials, such as plants, algae, or animal waste, rather than fossil fuels. It is considered a renewable resource because its sources can be replenished more quickly than traditional fossil fuels. Biofuels are commonly categorized into three types: first-generation biofuels made from food crops like corn and sugarcane; second-generation biofuels produced from non-food plant materials such as switchgrass, wood chips, and agricultural residues; and third-generation biofuels derived from algae and other microbial sources. Biofuels are used primarily in transportation, for example, ethanol (a type of alcohol made from corn or sugarcane) is often blended with gasoline to power vehicles, while biodiesel (produced from vegetable oils and animal fats) can replace or be mixed with diesel. The use of biofuels is promoted to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and boost energy security. However, the production and use of biofuels also raise concerns related to land use, food prices, and overall environmental impact.
Secret “Persimmon” Ingredient Could Boost Ethanol Production
Antioxidants sourced from natural origins enhance the growth of a yeast strain in the presence of ethanol. While ethanol in alcoholic drinks can impair motor…
How Genome Mapping Can Transform Sugarcane Into Green Fuel
Unveiling sugarcane’s genome, scientists set the stage for innovative breeding and renewable carbon sourcing, heralding a new era in agricultural research and sustainability. Researchers have…
More Complex Than Human Genome: Unlocking the Sweet Mysteries of Sugarcane DNA
Scientists created a highly accurate reference genome for one of the most important modern crops and found a rare example of how genes confer disease…
From Dream to Reality: Low-Cost, Carbon-Neutral Biofuels Are Finally Possible
In the process of converting plants into fuel, the initial phase — decomposing the plant material — has consistently posed the greatest challenge. Recent research…
MIT’s Biomass Breakthrough: 100% Sustainable Jet Fuel From Plant Waste
MIT researchers are converting the plant material lignin into hydrocarbon molecules that could help make jet fuel 100 percent sustainable. An MIT research team is…
Clearing the Path for CO2 Capture: MIT’s Anti-Fouling Breakthrough in Photobioreactor Technology
Applying a small voltage to the walls of algae-growing tanks can prevent cloudy buildup and allow more photosynthesis to happen. Algae grown in transparent tanks…
Exciting Possibilities: New Species of Microalgae Discovered
The discovery of ultrasmall microalgae in a home aquarium could have multiple useful applications. Researchers from the University of Tokyo have uncovered a new species…
Biofuel Research: Full Decarbonization of U.S. Aviation Sector Is Within Grasp
Research demonstrates a pathway to sustainably produce biojet fuel domestically and meet the country’s growing aviation fuel demand. Every day in the United States, 45,000…
New Processs Could Allow for 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel
A collaboration between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Washington State University opens the door to sustainable jet fuel. An…
Availability of Vital Renewable Energy Source at Risk From Climate Change
Climate change is putting the availability of biomass fuels and technologies – a vital alternative to fossil fuels – at risk, according to new research….
As These Bacteria Eat, They Generate a Strange Molecule That Can Be Used To Make Jet Fuel
Aircraft are indispensable in the modern age for transporting people, delivering goods, and performing military operations, but the petroleum-based fuels that power them are in…
Newly Discovered Enzyme May Enable the Utilization of Agroindustrial Waste
Brazilian researchers discovered, characterized, and validated the functions of two novel enzyme families with biotechnological potential. One method of reducing reliance on oil and other…
3D-Printed “Nano-Skyscrapers” Help Bacteria Convert Sunlight Into Electricity
Researchers have made tiny ‘skyscrapers’ for communities of bacteria, helping them to generate electricity from just sunlight and water. The researchers, from the University of…
Banana Split: Extracting Hydrogen Fuel From Banana Peels
As the world’s energy demands increase, so does our consumption of fossil fuels. The result is a massive rise in greenhouse gases emissions with severely…
The US Biofuel Mandate Helps Farmers, but Harms the Environment
If you’ve pumped gas at a U.S. service station over the past decade, you’ve put biofuel in your tank. Thanks to the federal Renewable Fuel…
Bioenergy: Friendly Fungi Boost Growth for Biofuel Source
An Oak Ridge National Laboratory team has successfully introduced a poplar gene into switchgrass, an important biofuel source, that allows switchgrass to interact with a…
Modern-Day Alchemy: Transforming Sugar Into Hydrocarbons To Power Future Cars
In a new study, genetically engineered E. coli eat glucose, then help turn it into molecules found in gasoline. It sounds like modern-day alchemy: Transforming…