Researchers look to grass to make gas

In South Carolina, researchers at Clemson University are studying how to free up the carbohydrates in switchgrass and waste paper. The work involves identifying the right bacteria and fungi and the right enzymes that will break down the carbohydrates and xylans to release plant sugars. The research aims to reduce the expense of making ethanol from biomass, getting costs down to $3 to $4 per gallon making it competitive with gasoline and diesel fuel.