Tag: fungus

Biopolymers for smartphones, Romanian hoof fungus furniture, Clariant’s biobased surfactants, and more: The Digest’s Top 8 Innovations for the week of February 11th

February 10, 2022 | Helena Tavares Kennedy

We know smartphones and electronics are huge resource sucks that utilize rare minerals, fossil fuels, and precious resources, so cheers to a China-based smartphone maker that is now using a biobased polycarbonate copolymer produced by Saudi Arabia’s SABIC. And in Japan, Kaneka is investing $130 million to triple production capacity for its biopolymer brand Green […]

PNNL researchers study plant material that offers clues for making sustainable bioproducts

August 1, 2021 | Helena Tavares Kennedy

In Washington, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory researchers are forming a clearer picture of how plant matter is transformed in the microbial gardens the ants create. This detailed understanding of how fungus degrades biomass could one day help scientists develop microbial systems for sustainable bioproduct production, such as biofuels or renewable chemicals. In the latest of […]

Fungus among us: Mushrooms finding use in multiple end markets

February 22, 2021 | Rebecca Coons

E&T Magazine has done a deep dive on the recent efforts to produce sustainable materials from mushrooms, with end markets including packaging, water capture, textiles, and home furnishings. According to E&T, New York-based Ecovative is developing a range of products, including animal-free leather, a replacement for polystyrene foam and even foam buoys and rafts. Designer […]

Michigan State researchers boost biofuel production from algae and fungus

September 13, 2018 | Meghan Sapp

In Michigan, Michigan State University scientists have found a solution to enhance oil production and harvest using what many consider sea sludge. The new proof of concept, published in Biotechnology for Biofuels, is a biofuel production platform that uses two species of marine algae and soil fungi. It lowers cultivation and harvesting costs and increases productivity, […]

Genetically engineered fungus boosts biofuel production

February 3, 2018 | Helena Tavares Kennedy

In India, researchers at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology genetically modified a fungus in order to increase the production of enzymes helpful in converting cellulose into simple fermentable sugars. ICGEB’s research could help produce double the amount of biofuel from agricultural waste materials. The genetically engineered fungus could be a valuable alternative […]

UK researchers add fungus to cellulosic ethanol production cutting costs and time

January 23, 2017 | Meghan Sapp

In the UK, researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a new method for breaking down cellulose into sugars that they claim is significantly cheaper and faster through the use of a certain fungus in conjunction with enzymes to help jumpstart the process. The method eliminates the need for expensive and time-consuming chemical pre-treatment […]

The 41 Weirdest Things Ever Used to Make Biofuels

December 30, 2014 | Jim Lane

Bunnies, liposuction fat, Prince Charles’ leftover wine, day-old whale, the human poo bus, fire ants dipped in hexane, old beer, raging fireballs, vibrating blobs, dope, and even the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Take your pick and, yep, it’s all true, as the Digest discovers. IF YOU’RE ONLY AN OCCASIONAL READER in the world of biofuels, corn, sugarcane and […]

“Something big is about to happen in cellulosics & advanced biofuels.”

August 21, 2013 | Jim Lane

Today on Twitter: gedankenstuecke Fungus and bacteria play game theory to make biofuels StuartStaehle @winknews Has anyone followed up on Lee County $10million investment in Algenol Biofuels scam? How many jobs? GrowthEnergy: MT @FuelsAmerica Something big is about to happen in cellulosics & advanced biofuels

Turkey tail fungus studied in Germany

July 8, 2013 | Isabel Lane

In Germany, the turkey tail fungus Trametes versicolor is subject of research being performed at the University of Freiburg in an attempt to source a catalyst for the conversion process. The fungus releases an enzyme called laccasse, allowing electrochemical conversion of oxygen within the biofuel power cell. The findings were recently published in ChemSusChem. More […]

UW-M researcher finds enzyme breakthrough in ant fungus

June 24, 2013 | Meghan Sapp

In Wisconsin, a researcher from the University of Wisconsin-Madison has discovered that the enzyme found in a fungus used by the South American leafcutter ant to digest leaves for it could be the next key to efficient second generation biofuels production. It’s the ants themselves who cultivate the fungus, and a team of researchers brought […]