Search Results - biomass

8 Results Sort By:

Trait Gene for Highly Digestible Forage

IntroductionProduction of fuels and value-added chemicals from plant biomass often requires pretreatment of the biomass. Pretreatment increases the capital equipment needs and costs of the final product. Additionally, the use of seeds as a feedstock has been controversial, with some claiming that use of seeds for chemical production is increasing...
Published: 7/9/2013   |   Inventor(s): Federica Brandizzi, Curtis Wilkerson, Sang-Jin Kim, Michael Held, Jonathan Walton, Dina Kruger (jabbour)
Keywords(s): Agriculture Biotechnology, Animal Feed Additives, Biomass, Biomass Ethanol, Plant Biotechnology Category(s): Agriculture, Biotechnology, Chemicals, Energy

Increase Of Cellulose Biosynthesis

IntroductionCellulose is a complex carbohydrate that serves as the basic structural component of plant cell walls. It accounts for roughly one-third of all vegetal matter, making it the most common organic compound on earth. Due to its ubiquitous nature, cellulose and its derivatives are key resources for the agriculture, forestry, textile, and paper...
Published: 11/1/2011   |   Inventor(s): Kyung-Hwan Han, Jae-Heung Ko, Won-Chan Kim, Joo-Yeol Kim
Keywords(s): Biofuels, Biomass, Cellulose, Cellulosic Biomass, Feedstock Category(s): Agriculture, Biotechnology, Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center

Condensed Phase Catalytic Hydrogenation of Lactic Acid to Propylene Glycol

IntroductionPropylene glycol is a nontoxic chemical used in polymers production, as a nontoxic antifreeze, and in food, drink, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical applications. Propylene glycol is currently made commercially by high pressure and high temperature hydrolysis of propylene oxide. Description of TechnologyMichigan State University’s invention...
Published: 9/21/2011   |   Inventor(s): Dennis Miller, Zhigang Zhang, James Jackson
Keywords(s): Biomass, Catalysis, Catalyst, Lactic Acid, Propylene Glycol Category(s): Chemicals, Materials

An Economical and Potent Mixture to Induce Cellulolytic Enzymes Production at High Concentration

IntroductionProducing biofuels from cellulosic materials, such as corn stalks, wood chips, and other biomass, requires the use of enzymes to degrade the cellulosic biomass into its molecular components. The cost to produce these enzymes is high, a factor contributing to the limited production of cellulosic ethanol. Description of TechnologyMichigan...
Published: 4/21/2011   |   Inventor(s): Ming Woei Lau, Bruce Dale, Venkatesh Balan, Shishir Chundawat
Keywords(s): Biodiesel, Biomass, Cellulose, Enzymes Category(s): Biotechnology, Chemicals, Materials

A Novel Extractive Ammonia Fiber Expansion (AFEX) Process

IntroductionIn the continuing push to develop alternative fuels, bioethanol is clearly a viable option. However, if it is to become a truly economical alternative, a more effective and efficient method of processing lignocellulosic biomass must be developed. Description of Technology Michigan State University has developed a novel lignocellulosic biomass...
Published: 4/21/2011   |   Inventor(s): Shishir Chundawat, Leonardo da Costa Sousa, Albert Cheh, Venkatesh Balan, Bruce Dale
Keywords(s): Ammonia, Biomass, Cellulose, Ethanol, Lignocellulose Category(s): Biotechnology, Chemicals

Utility Promoters for Biomass Feedstock Biotechnology

IntroductionGenetic optimization of biomass is necessary to improve the rates and final yields of sugar release from woody biomass. Areas that would benefit from genetic optimization include growth rate, environmental stress tolerance, yields of easily fermentable polysaccharides, total lignin content, lowering biomass recalcitrance to fermentation,...
Published: 4/13/2011   |   Inventor(s): Kyung-Hwan Han, Jae-Heung Ko
Keywords(s): Biofuel, Biomass, Ethanol, Feedstock, Lignocellulose Category(s): Biotechnology, Chemicals, Energy

Continuous Nano-Hybrid Pretreatment of Lignocellulosic Biomass for Biofuels

IntroductionDue to its abundant resources, lignocellulosic biomass is a promising candidate for bioethanol production to reduce the dependence of transportation fuels on petroleum and decrease the greenhouse gas emission. Biomass pretreatment is an essential processing step in the enzymatic hydrolysis of biofuels or pulp from lignocellulosic plants....
Published: 1/21/2011   |   Inventor(s): Ilsoon Lee, Wei Wang, Shaowen Ji
Keywords(s): Biofuels, Biomass, Biomass Ethanol, Cellulose, Ethanol, Lignin Category(s): Biotechnology, Nanotechnology

Down Regulation and Up Regulation of Maize Lignin Biosynthesis Enzymes via RNAi Technology to Reduce Crop Pre-treatment Requirements for Bio-fuel Production, and/or Improve Hardwood Quality

IntroductionCrops and crop residues such as maize stover are considered attractive cellulosic biomass feedstock for the production of bio-fuels, but suffer from the need to chemically pre-treat the material to break-down lignin and release cellulose and hemi-cellulose for fermentation. Crops with reduced pre-treatment would be advantageous. Lignin is...
Published: 10/8/2010   |   Inventor(s): Masomeh (mariam) Sticklen
Keywords(s): Biofuel, Biomass, Feedstock, Lignin, Maize Category(s): Biotechnology, Energy, Agriculture