Bio News

Some recent news about putting biology to work in areas I get excited about. Biofuels (specifically biobutanol) and aquaponics (aquaculture + hydroponics).

(Biofuels)
DesMoinesRegister: Ethanol plants may shift to biobutanol

GCC: Study finds biomass-to-liquids fuels could be economically competitive at current price levels

SciAm: First Dedicated Biorefinery Could Wean Hawaii Off Imported Oil

Record-Eagle: Teacher to launch biodiesel fuel plant

(Aquaponics)
UpNorthLive: Grand Traverse Academy Starts Aquaponics

HuffPost: A Tour Of Chicago's Amazing Vertical Farm

The Plant is a fish hatchery, hydroponic garden, commercial kitchen, and brewery for both beer and kombucha tea. Perhaps best of all, the waste from one part of farm serves as raw material for another, making it a net-zero energy system...

 The Plant (official site)

Fuel Out Of CO2 - This Sounds Too Good To Be True

I want to believe it though.

The claim, sunlight + CO2 = fuel

See
NYT: Biotech Company to Patent Fuel-Secreting Bacterium
The organism can grow in bodies of water unfit for drinking or on land that is useless for farming, according to the company, Joule Unlimited

GCC: Joule Awarded Patent on Renewable Diesel Production Directly from Sunlight and CO2Joule’s microorganisms function as biocatalysts that use only sunlight, waste CO2 and non-fresh water to directly and continuously produce diesel-range hydrocarbons, which are chemically distinct from biodiesel and are compatible with existing infrastructure.

FC: Revealed: Bacteria That Turns Sunlight Into Fuel

Biofuel News

Some recent articles:

SciAm: Is Algae Worse than Corn for Biofuels?

RenewableEnergyWorld: Obama Unveils Plans To Boost Biofuel Market

MSNBC: Bacteria Rebuilt To Make Oil

Regarding the Algae biofuel story, the study does not appear to be very well done as it assumes algae would need to be fertilized from a non-renewable resource. However, most research with algae biofuels is in the area of using waste water and other manufacturing effluent such as carbon dioxide as the nutrient sources. In fact, the Algal Biomass Organization released a statement disputing the study. See GCC: Algal Biomass Organization Questions Findings of Recent Algae Life Cycle Study

Volvo Is Going To Do It - A Diesel-Electric Hybrid!

This is what I have been waiting for. For an automaker to manufacture a car that is a four-wheel drive plug-in electric hybrid with a biofuel compliant diesel engine all in a station wagon form.

And here it is, via FC: Volvo Offering a Plug-in Diesel Hybrid in 2012

and GCC: Volvo Car Corporation to Introduce Diesel Plug-in Hybrid in Europe in 2012

I just hope the third-row jumper seats are available. It would then be the one car to rule them all.

I have already contacted Volvo in the U.S. to ask that this car be brought stateside.

Biodiesel Keeps Getting Better

PhysOrg: Study Finds that Styrofoam Increases Biodiesel Power Output

By dissolving polystyrene packing peanuts in biodiesel, scientists have found that they can boost the power output of the fuel while getting rid of garbage at the same time.

Java Juice

Diesel, Made Simply From Coffee Grounds

Analysis showed that even the grounds contained about 10 to 15 percent oil by weight. The researchers then used standard chemistry techniques to extract the oil and convert it to biodiesel. The processes are not particularly energy intensive, Dr. Misra said, and the researchers estimated that biodiesel could be produced for about a dollar a gallon.

Who Mentiond Diesels To The Times?

Out of nowhere, the New York Times posted a bunch of stories about diesel cars.
See:
Fuel From Plants, Not Oil Wells
Diesel Is Showing Its Racy Side
Diesel Automobiles Clean Up for an Encore
Diesel automobiles clean up for U.S. revival

Biofuel Comparison Table

Here's a table that's been making it around the blogosphere...

Source: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/20080503/biofuels_compare.gif

Dreams (of diesel) Can Come True

Exciting diesel news:
First, Subaru's diesel goes on sale in Europe in February and gets an average of 40mpg:
First Drive:Subaru Legacy diesel (2008 onwards model)

Subaru’s First Boxer Diesel Passenger Cars: Legacy Sports Tourer and Outback

the Outback (with fuel consumption of 5.8 L/100km, or 40.6 mpg US) is only slightly behind at 124 mph and 8.8 seconds for the 0-60 mph dash.

And algal biodiesel has been tested successfully and is ready for commercialization:
Solazyme Introduces Its First Algal Biodiesel, Enters Development Agreement With Chevron

Algae To Oil

The NY Times is a little late to the party but reports Algae Emerges as a Potential Fuel Source

Crude oil is simply algae that has undergone diagenesis so commercializing this process seems to have tremendous potential.

The Near Future Of Transportation Is Diesel

Yet another study showing diesel is the most efficient way to power a vehicle - Diesel VS Hybrid VS

Ethanol, which is best?

According to a new study, diesel tops hybrids and ethanol isn't even really in the game.

And a recent report from the Univeristy of Wisoconsin indicates worldwide biodiesel production can increase 20 fold. From my reading of the report it appears that if the United States fully invested in biodiesel production it could provide for 50% of roadway transportation needs. Global potential for biodiesel is "enormous"

Here's the report itself - A Global Comparison of National Biodiesel Production Potentials