In the UK, the Falkirk Herald reports Celtic Renewables has been granted permission by the Falkirk Council to continue building its whiskey byproduct-based biobutanol demonstration facility after several minor design changes in forced a second application. All of the changes had to do with building design and nothing to do with the chemical operations of […]
In New Jersey, in a study published in the journal Cell Systems, researchers from Princeton University revealed a fundamental mechanism of isobutanol’s toxic effect. They found that in the presence of isobutanol, yeast behave like they are starving, even though they are in rich nutritious broth, causing them to slow their growth and metabolism. The […]
In New Jersey, yeast only creates a tiny amount of isobutanol. Now researchers at Princeton University have discovered a genetic switch that significantly ramps up production. The findings, published Nov. 13 in the journal Cell Systems, showed that the researchers were able to increase isobutanol production by roughly five times over that of standard yeast […]
In Colorado, Gevo, Inc. announced the successful completion of the City of Seattle’s Phase I trial pilot of fleet vehicles utilizing Gevo’s low carbon, renewable drop-in isobutanol blended gasoline to reduce greenhouse gas emissions form its fleet of vehicles. The City confirmed they saw 18 metric tons of carbon reduction during the Phase I pilot […]
In Massachusetts, taking a step closer to a “green” replacement for fossil fuels, a research team that includes a chemical engineer at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has developed a novel process using an unusual solvent and an exotic microorganism that may make it possible to manufacture isobutanol and other biofuels more economically. In a paper […]
In Wisconsin, a compound that has scientists seeing red may hold the key to engineering yeasts that produce better biofuels. A red pigment called pulcherrimin, naturally produced by several strains of wild yeasts, is synthesized in part through the same biochemical pathway that researchers hope to use to improve production of isobutanol, a promising biofuel […]
In Wisconsin, a team based at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center found clues in red-hued yeasts that could help harness the synthesis pathway for large-scale production of isobutanol as a biofuel. A red pigment called pulcherrimin, naturally produced by several strains of wild yeasts, is synthesized in part through […]
In Washington, earlier this week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt approved the registration of bio-isobutanol as a fuel additive. May’s American Boating Congress featured a special question-and-answer session with NMMA President Thom Dammrich and Pruitt. “We applaud Administrator Pruitt’s approval of bio-isobutanol as a biofuel additive, which will provide consumers a safe, efficient, […]
In Washington, the Environmental Protection Agency is seeking public comment on any aspect of the use of isobutanol in gasoline. Butamax Advanced Biofuels, has submitted an application pursuant to the regulations titled “Registration of Fuels and Fuel Additives” for the registration of isobutanol as a gasoline additive at up to 16 volume percent. Butamax has […]
In New Jersey, Princeton University researchers used light to control genetically modified yeast and increase its output of commercially valuable chemicals. The team used light to enhance the production of biofuels, drugs and commercial chemicals in bioreactors, which contain microorganisms such as yeast that have been metabolically engineered to make biological products. The team uses […]
