Despite promises, U.S. biofuels increased CO2 emissions, harmed ecosystems, and fueled global land conflicts, leaving…
Browsing: Biofuel
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.
Engineering Switchgrass for Greater Resilience An Oak Ridge National Laboratory team has successfully introduced a…
In a new study, genetically engineered E. coli eat glucose, then help turn it into…
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered a new way to train microbes…
A new study outlines a biotechnology process to produce rocket fuel on red planet. Researchers…
Scientists ID Sterol Essential for Oil Accumulation in Plants Scientists seeking to unravel the details…
Scientists underscore the potential of a new class of materials to convert sunlight to fuel.…
A team of scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign developed a bioprocess using engineered…
A new approach to modifying microbes’ metabolic processes will speed up production of innovative bio-based…
Tailoring levels of enzyme has many potential applications, including renewable production of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, improved…
What Is Bioenergy Research? Bioenergy research studies how to use crops and other agricultural materials…
By making the microbes more tolerant to toxic byproducts, researchers show they can use a…
The new system streamlines the process of fermenting plant sugar to fuel by helping yeast…
Lakes Could Be Suitable for the Extraction of Methane for Energy Production Lakes store huge…
What Are Biofuels? Solar, wind, and other alternative energy sources have incredible potential to reduce…
A Q&A with Berkeley Lab scientist Eric Sundstrom on a technology to turn electrons to…
Researchers have decoded the mechanism of FAP, a light-activated enzyme in microalgae that converts fatty…
Researchers at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) are developing innovative technologies to convert food…