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Making biofuel from native Australian microscopic algae

By Maja Bosanac
One Comment26 July 2013

sbrc-pond-measurements-1Collaboration between researchers at the University of Queensland (UQ) with researchers at Germany’s Bielefeld University and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology resulted in identification of a fast-growing microscopic algae that could be used in production of cheaper and more efficient biofuel. Newly tested algae species native to Australia provide real hope for the development of commercially… »

Bionics»

Producing biofuels with novel enzyme from wood-borer

By Maja Bosanac
19 June 2013

limnoria-punctataA group of researchers from the United Kingdom, the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the University of Kentucky have found and structurally characterized a novel cellulose-degrading enzyme from the marine wood borer Limnoria quadripunctata, commonly known as the gribble. This biomass-degrading enzyme could one day be used to create a more competitive… »

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Modifying cyanobacteria for better biofuel production

By Damir Beciri
15 January 2013

anne-ruffing-algae-biofuelMicro-algal fuels might be one way to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels, and they could reduce carbon dioxide emissions since they use photosynthesis.  Sandia National Laboratories researcher has engineered two strains of cyanobacteria to produce free fatty acids, a precursor to liquid fuels, but she has also found that the process cuts the bacteria’s… »

Bionics»

Producing biofuel from bioengineered marine algae

By Damir Beciri
4 December 2012

saltpondsBiologists at UC San Diego have genetically engineered marine algae to produce five different kinds of industrially important enzymes in fresh water, and they claim that the same process could be used to enhance the yield of petroleum-like compounds from algae grown in salt water. This approach would allow biofuel production in the ocean or… »

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Significant biomass increase of genetically altered algae

By Damir Beciri
2 Comments2 December 2011

spalding-algae-biofuelOne of the efforts to become fossil fuel independent is to use biofuel generated by crops, but it stirred a big debate due to lack of food and fertile ground around the world. Using algae as biofuel can be up to 300 times more efficient than conventional crops, and researcher from the Iowa State University… »

Bionics| Tech»

Termite digestive system biomimicry could lead to biofuel production

By Damir Beciri
2 Comments7 July 2011

scharf-termites-1Although termites represent one of the peskiest household pests, they could prove to be beneficial for biofuel production. Enzymes in termite guts are instrumental in the insect’s ability to break down the wood they eat, and a group of researchers from Purdue University have applied their knowledge of termites to develop a cocktail of enzymes… »