Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels means turning to plant-derived biofuels and chemicals. But producing them cost-effectively from plants and other organic matter – collectively referred... Read more
Sandia researchers decode metabolic pathway of soil bacterium that thrives on lignin Abundant, chock full of energy and bound so tightly that the only way to release its energy is through co... Read more
When Orlando Rios first started analyzing samples of carbon fibers made from a woody plant polymer known as lignin, he noticed something unusual. The material’s microstructure — a mixt... Read more
Biodegradable plastics from a plentiful natural resource Wolfgang Glasser says he was hesitant at first when a start-up company asked him to be their chief scientific officer. But then the... Read more
In the future, genetically modified trees could be planted like an agricultural crop Researchers have genetically engineered trees that will be easier to break down to produce paper and biof... Read more
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a simple, effective and relatively inexpensive technique for removing lignin from the plant material used to make biofuels, whic... Read more
Limited availability of fossil fuels stimulates the search for different energy resources. The use of biofuels is one of the alternatives. Sugars derived from the grain of agricultural crops... Read more
Crude oil is getting scarce. This is why researchers are seeking to substitute petroleum-based products – like plastics – with sustainable raw materials. Waste wood, divided into lignin and... Read more