Study may lead to new biomass processing
Los Alamos, N.M., April 23, 2009 U.S. scientists say they've determined what makes the cell walls of some inedible plants so tough -- a finding that might lead to better biomass processing. The researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory said they have identified potential weaknesses among sheets of cellulose molecules comprising lignocellulosic biomass-- a material that might be an abundant source of sugar that can be used to produce methanol or butanol. They say that insight ultimately could lead to a cost-effective and energy-efficient strategy for turning biomass into alternative fuels. The study led by Paul Langan at Los Alamos appears in separate papers published in the current issue of the Biophysical Journal and recently in an issue of Biomacromolecules. Share This Article With Planet Earth
Related Links Bio Fuel Technology and Application News
Camelina-Based Renewable Jet Fuel Shows 84 Percent CO2 Emissions Reduction Bozeman MT (SPX) May 01, 2009 Renewable fuels company Sustainable Oils has announced the results of a life cycle analysis (LCA) of jet fuel created from camelina seeds developed by the company, which shows that the renewable fuel reduces carbon emissions by 84 percent compared to petroleum jet fuel. |
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2007 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA Portal Reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |