Biotechnology: GLRPPR Sector Resources

News: Sapphire's algae-to-oil farm begins to take shape

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 21:51:06 GMT

It's been a long slog, but Sapphire Energy's algae-to-oil project is beginning to take shape. The company announced this week the first phase of its so-called green crude farm -- a facility in Luna County, New Mexico that produces oil from algae -- is now operational and has successfully harvested at a large scale. Sapphire Energy said the first crop was harvested in June without any difficulties, confirming the system at the farm works as designed.

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News: NYSERDA Assists American Biogas Conditioning with Launch of Biogas-to-Power Equipment

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:09:27 GMT

Syracuse-based American Biogas Conditioning has launched a demonstration project at a dairy farm in Skaneateles, setting out to prove its technology can reduce the cost of generating electricity through anaerobic digestion. Anaerobic digestion is a clean-energy process that can be used to generate electricity. Farm or other organic waste is placed in a sealed container and broken down by bacteria into a biogas predominately comprised of methane. The biogas is subsequently burned in an engine to produce electricity.American Biogas makes equipment that removes hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from the biogas. If the H2S was not removed, the biogas would corrode engine gaskets and seals thereby reducing equipment life. American Biogas removes the H2S using bacteria, a new approach that costs about a tenth of current removal methods.

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News: New biofuel process dramatically improves energy recovery

Wed, 11 Jul 2012 19:03:20 GMT

A new biofuel production process created by Michigan State University researchers produces 20 times more energy than existing methods. The results, published in the current issue of Environmental Science and Technology, showcase a novel way to use microbes to produce biofuel and hydrogen, all while consuming agricultural wastes. Gemma Reguera, MSU microbiologist, has developed bioelectrochemical systems known as microbial electrolysis cells, or MECs, using bacteria to breakdown and ferment agricultural waste into ethanol. Reguera's platform is unique because it employs a second bacterium, which, when added to the mix, removes all the waste fermentation byproducts or nonethanol materials while generating electricity. Similar microbial fuel cells have been investigated before. However, maximum energy recoveries from corn stover, a common feedstock for biofuels, hover around 3.5 percent. Reguera's platform, despite the energy invested in chemical pretreatment of the corn stover, averaged 35 to 40 percent energy recovery just from the fermentation process, said Reguera, an AgBioResearch scientist who co-authored the paper with Allison Spears, MSU graduate student.

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News: Coke, Ford join forces to juice supply of plant-based plastic

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 22:02:48 GMT

Three words explain why the 100 percent bioplastic bottle isn't ubiquitous yet: Supply, supply, supply. Coca-Cola, Pepsi and several other Fortune 500 companies are working to address that. The beverage makers earlier this month announced they're teaming up with Nike, Ford, Procter & Gamble and Heinz to accelerate the development of 100-percent plant-based PET via a new initiative called the PET Plant Technology Collaborative.

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News: Ecosystem Effects of Biodiversity Loss Could Rival Impacts of Climate Change and Pollution

Thu, 10 May 2012 19:54:25 GMT

Loss of biodiversity appears to impact ecosystems as much as climate change, pollution and other major forms of environmental stress, according to a new study from an international research team.

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News: Firm seeks to add sewage sludge to composting mix

Thu, 10 May 2012 19:19:31 GMT

For the first time in Minnesota, treated "bio-solids" would be blended with yard and food waste to create nutrient-rich black dirt.

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News: ISTC Researcher Converts Plastic to Oil

Thu, 03 May 2012 21:31:53 GMT

B.K. Sharma of the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center (ISTC) on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign talks about the conversion of waste plastics (such as plastic bags and bottle caps) to oil.

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News: MI: DEQ Opens Nominations for Michigan Green Chemistry Governor's Awards

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 16:11:42 GMT

The DEQ has announced open nominations for the fourth annual Michigan Green Chemistry Governor's Awards. The Governor's Awards recognize advances that incorporate the principles of green chemistry into chemical design, manufacture, or use, or that promote activities which support or implement those technologies and efforts. The awards acknowledge efforts to design and implement safer and more sustainable chemicals, processes, and products. Awards are open to individuals, groups, and organizations, both non-profit and for profit. The program was established by the Michigan Green Chemistry Roundtable, and it celebrates innovations using green chemistry in Michigan. Eleven awards have been presented in the first three years of the program. Entries must be sent no later than July 20.

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News: NSF International to help certify product compostability

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:58:29 GMT

Certifying that products, resins and packaging can use the compostable logo from the Biodegradable Products Institute will now by done by NSF International under an agreement reached by the two organizations.

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News: An Enzyme in Fish Can Demonstrate Environmental Toxins

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:30:47 GMT

The level of the enzyme carbonyl reductase (CBR) is elevated in the livers of fish that have been exposed to cleaned wastewater. Scientists at the University of Gothenburg can show that CBR has properties that may make it suitable to be used as a biomarker, an early warning signal of environmental toxins. The aim of the project is to achieve better environmental monitoring.

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