Clemson, U of Queensland form biofuels research partnership

In South Carolina, Clemson University is teaming with the University of Queensland to exchange research and create a framework for a biofuels development program.

The research scope includes:

• Switchgrass and sweet sorghum to ethanol: Clemson will provide comprehensive access to information developed for conversion of sugar cane bagasse (the fibrous byproduct of sugar extraction) to ethanol.

• Ethanol pilot-scale demonstration funding: Clemson and Queensland will develop and pilot a sugar cane-to-ethanol process in Queensland using residual sugar cane bagasse.

• Cellulosic monomer conversion to biodiesel technology: The universities will develop algal and cellulosic technologies for the production of biodiesel. This process, in early developmental phases, has the potential to convert cellulose from multiple feedstock sources to a ready biodiesel for military, mining, industrial and personal transportation applications.