http://www.biofueldaily.com/index.html Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST en-us Miscanthus grasses are used in gardens, burned for heat and energy, and converted into liquid fuels. They also belong to a prominent grass family that includes corn, sorghum and sugarcane. Two new, independently produced chromosome maps of Miscanthus sinensis (an ornamental that likely is a parent of Miscanthus giganteus, a biofuels crop) are a first step toward sequencing the M. sinensis genome]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST Research groups from Iowa State University and the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have uncovered the function of three plant proteins, a discovery that could help plant scientists boost seed oil production in crops, thereby benefitting the production of food, biorenewable chemicals and biofuels. The analysis of gene activity (by the Iowa group) and determination of protein structure]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST In the search for technology by which economically competitive biofuels can be produced from cellulosic biomass, the combination of sugar-fermenting microbes and ionic liquid solvents looks to be a winner save for one major problem: the ionic liquids used to make cellulosic biomass more digestible for microbes can also be toxic to them. A solution to this conundrum, however, may be in the offing]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST Scientists at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Iowa State University discovered a family of plant proteins that play a role in the production of seed oils, substances important for animal and human nutrition, biorenewable chemicals and biofuels. Scoring a rare scientific hat trick, the researchers identified three related proteins in thale cress plants (Arabidopsis thaliana) t]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST Arranging DNA fragments into a genome sequence that scientists can interpret is a challenge often compared to assembling a puzzle except you don't have the box and have no idea what the picture is supposed to be. Sometimes clues from other publicly-available DNA sequences of related organisms can be used to guide the assembly process, but its usefulness depends on how closely related any two seq]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST Arranging DNA fragments into a genome sequence that scientists can interpret is a challenge often compared to assembling a puzzle, except there is no box to provide an idea of what the picture is even supposed to be. Sometimes there's guidance in the form of other publicly-available DNA sequences from related organisms that can be used to guide the assembly process, but its usefulness depends on]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST By deciphering the makeup of a bacterium found in the soil of a tropical rain forest, scientists may have a better understanding of how to more efficiently produce biofuels. The production of liquid fuels derived from plant biomass offers a promising technology for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels. While sugars stored within the plant cell wall, known as lig]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST It is widely accepted that one of the causes of detrimental climate change is the emission of greenhouse gasses such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane in to the atmosphere from the burning of fossil fuels. Consequently, in recent years, scientific studies into the development of low-carbon technologies to meet our energy needs have become increasingly popular. Chris R. Somervill]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST An article in F1000 Biology Reports argues that recent advances in knowledge mean that plant-derived biofuels could meet about 30% of the global demand for liquid transportation fuels, drastically reducing the amounts of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere from burning fossil fuels, without having an impact on food production. It is widely accepted that one of the causes of detri]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST Hart Energy's newly released study, U.S. and Brazil Ethanol Outlook to 2022, finds the United States has vaulted over Brazil to lead the world in the export of ethanol, a title it is positioned to retain in 2012 and beyond. The study also dismisses the notion that goals of two programs in the U.S. can be achieved. Biofuels volumes required by the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and C]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST Butamax Advanced Biofuels has announced that two additional ethanol producers have joined their Early Adopters Group and have signed letters of intent to this effect. The Early Adopters Group (EAG) was announced in December 2011 with founding member Highwater Ethanol, an ethanol producer based in Lamberton, Minnesota. Lincolnway Energy of Nevada, Iowa; and Corn, LP of Goldfield, Iowa are t]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST The Arisdyne Systems cavitation process has allowed biodiesel producer HERO BX to reduce catalyst consumption by over 25% and contributed to the reduction of monoglycerides, since its installation at their plant. "HERO BX and Desmet Ballestra worked together with Arisdyne to test Arisdyne's cavitation process. After two months of testing, we proved that the technology demonstrated signific]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern) has announced that its St. Joseph Wind project - the largest wind farm in Manitoba - has reached its first full year of operation. The 138 megawatt (MW) wind power project, located in the southern Manitoba community of St. Joseph, has supplied the area with more than 500,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean and renewable energy, enough to meet the needs of 50,000 l]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST Testifying before the U.S. House Small Business Committee's Subcommittee on Agriculture, Energy and Trade, Michael McAdams, president, Advanced Biofuels Association - ABFA, said he is, "proud to report to this Committee and to this Congress that America's domestic advanced biofuels industry has moved from the beaker to the barrel, all in record time. And like most parts of our nation's economy, ]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST The Andersons announced it has completed the purchase of an ethanol facility in Denison, Iowa, now known as The Andersons Denison Ethanol LLC. The operations consist of an ethanol production facility with an adjacent 2.7 million bushel grain terminal, previously owned by Amaizing Energy Denison LLC and Amaizing Energy Holding Company, LLC, with direct access to two Class 1 railroads in Iow]]> Thu, 17 MAY 2012 14:55:21 AEST