Biofuels

Analysis and Comment (14)

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Algae synthesisers – a new crop for biofuels, without the need for land. Kirsten Heimann

Explainer: what are algal biofuels?

By Kirsten Heimann, James Cook University

The problem we face with fossil fuels being ultimately a finite resource has exposed our need for renewable fuels. But research is underway on new and more environmentally-savvy ways to fuel our growing…
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Canola is harvested on a property near Wallendbeen NSW. AAP Image/Alan Porritt

Explainer: what are biofuels?

By Daniel Tan

Since the beginning of civilisation, humans have depended on organic materials – or “biomass” – for cooking and heat. Many developing countries in Asia and Africa still do. Biofuel or bioenergy is the…
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Sunlight falls equally on leaves and solar panels, but which does the best job of turning it into useful renewable energy? kincuri/Flickr

For efficient energy, do you want solar panels or biofuels?

By Daniel Tan

About 80% of the world’s total energy consumption is derived from fossil fuels, with only 12.5% from renewable resources. Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources derived from sunlight – such…
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Malaysia’s biofuel policies — which will be delivered by large multinational corporations — are contributing to a global food crisis. Rainforest Action Network/Flikr

Malaysia’s sustainability agenda reignites debate over food versus fuel

By Kenneth McPhail, La Trobe University

According to their 2005 Energy Policy Act, the US was supposed to have reached a 7.5% target for renewable fuel by 2012. While this may be good for the environment, there is growing concern that national…
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The rains came too late for these Texas wheat crops, which are stunted and thin. But there’s more to rising food prices than bad weather. Flickr/agrilifetoday

Crops hit by drought and biofuel policy: another food price crisis?

By Brigit Busicchia

Not so long ago, things were looking good. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) had announced on the 5th of July that the FAO food price index had been falling for the third consecutive month…
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Driving away from fossil fuels: fields of rapeseed which is used in biofuels, many of which are under development in Australia and abroad. Flickr/roger g1

Growing the grunt: developing green biofuels for Australia

By Daniel Tan

In 300 BC, the Syrian city of Antioch had public street lighting fuelled by olive oil. At the 1900 Paris World Fair, German inventor Rudolph Diesel demonstrated his engine powered by peanut oil. Biofuels…
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There are dark days ahead for Australian forests if renewable energy plan gets the nod. jwbenwell/Flickr

Oakeshott’s call for wood-powered electricity means more logging

By Judith Ajani

We are poised at a pivotal moment for native forests, the wood products industry and climate change. Australia is moving away from a damaging native forestry industry – and a damaging conflict over its…
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India’s power needs are growing at a staggering rate and coal won’t do the job. NASA

How do you power a billion lives?

By Roger Dargaville, University of Melbourne

As the Australian Labor Party changes its stance on trading uranium with India, a pertinent question arises: why is India so keen to buy this controversial fuel? And what do India’s energy resources look…
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Microbial fuel cells: a bit of mud or sewage, a few bacteria and, bingo: electricity. engineering for change

Mud power: how bacteria can turn waste into electricity

By Ashley Franks, La Trobe University

When you read the word “bacteria” you probably think about illness, advertisements for “probiotic” food supplements, and maybe about brushing your teeth. Chances are, you probably don’t think about electricity…
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Future fuels will be made from a range of raw materials, including algae. SandiaLabs

Explainer: the evolution of biofuels

By Ian O'Hara, Queensland University of Technology

It’s one of the key challenges of our generation: transforming our global energy use from emissions-intensive, non-renewable fossil fuels to low-carbon, sustainable energy technologies. The challenge…

Research and News (3)

Research Briefs (21)

Plant-eating algae a hope for biofuel

Bielefeld University

Algae can get energy from other plants, researchers from Bielefeld University have found. Conventional wisdom held that plants…

Ethanol too costly for American consumers

Michigan State University

Not enough people are willing to purchase ethanol to justify a US government mandate, making it a costly way to reduce government…

Bubbles build better biofuels

University of Sheffield

Thanks to microbubble technology, harvesting algae for use as a biofuel could become easier and more affordable. The technique…

Fill ‘er up, with microalgae

Technische Universitaet Muenchen

Microalgae are an interesting alternative to other biofuel crops such as corn or soy. Microalgae are individual cells or…

Does turning cow poo to power pay?

University of Vermont

Studies have estimated that converting manure from the 95 million animal units in the United States would produce renewable…

Artificial leaves turn water into fuel

University of Illinois & Massachusets Institute of Technology

Channeling inspiration from leaves and the process of photosynthesis, two research teams have developed improved techniques…

Biofuel’s new secret weapon: panda poop

American Chemical Society

Panda poop is particularly effective in breaking down plant material so it can be used for biofuel. The bacteria from the…

Forget horsepower, try alligators

Industrial & Energy Chemistry Research

Alligator fat could be a key component in future biofuel production due to its high lipid content. The alligator meat processing…

A new catalyst for ethanol

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

A new catalyst material that could replace chemicals currently derived from petroleum has been developed. The catalyst will…

Participants (53)