News & Updates

Contribution of double-cropped maize ethanol in Brazil to sustainable development

Abstract: We evaluate thefast-expanding food-energy system of double-cropped corn ethanol in theBrazilian Center-West region using a novel combination of environmental andsocio-economic models. Based on this comprehensive approach, we find that thissystem provides renewable and affordable energy (5 billion liters of ethanol,600 MWh of electrical power) and feed (4 thousand tonnes of distillers driedgrains), reduces greenhouse gas emissions (9.3 million to 13.2 million tons ofCO2e), saves land (160 thousand hectares), boosts regional income growth andconsumption (0.05% to 0.6% increase in household income), improves foodsecurity, and benefits ecosystems and human health.

Soil application ofhigh-lignin fermentation byproduct to increase the sustainability of liquidbiofuel production from crop residues

Abstract: When digestates fromanaerobic digestion of crop residues are added to soil, a considerable body ofinformation indicates that soil organic carbon (SOC) levels are comparable tothose when crop residues are left in the field. This occurs although the amountof digestate added to soil is diminished by digestion and implies thatdigestion increases the proportion of carbon inputs stabilized as SOC. Here weexamine the likelihood and implications of these features being manifested forsoil application of high lignin-fermentation byproduct (HLFB) from liquidbiofuel production.

Business Wire: "Terragia Secures $6M to Develop Cost-Competitive, Low-Carbon Biofuel Technology"

The startup expanded its leadership team with climate tech veteran Kristin Brief joining as CEO, Lee Lynd transitions to CTO; Terragia Biofuel, a technology startup aiming to drive the next generation of biofuels, today announced it has raised a $6 million seed round led by Engine Ventures and Energy Impact Partners (EIP). The company will use the capital to commercialize its novel biology-based approach to converting cellulosic biomass into ethanol and other products, expand its employee headcount and initiate partnerships with major biofuel producers.

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Carboncapture from corn stover ethanol production via mature consolidatedbioprocessing enables large negative biorefinery GHG emissions and fossilfuel-competitive economics

Abstract: Process simulation and technoeconomic analysiswas used to evaluate corn stover conversion to ethanol via mature consolidatedbioprocessing and cotreatment (C-CBP) technology with carbon capture andstorage (CCS). Process design was explored pursuant to increasing energyefficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions for a 60 million gallonper year facility featuring coproduction of fuel pellets, electricity, CO2, andrenewable natural gas (RNG) in  variouscombinations. After performing heat integration for C-CBP, process heat wasable to be met entirely from onsite biogas production and without any solidprocess residue combustion.

MS graduate Galen Moynihan is at Yali Bio working as a bioprocess engineer: "I've run about 30 fermentations since I started so it has been, and is, very busy. I took some time away from fermentation after I graduated, but I'm happy to be using the skills I learned in your lab again."

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Metaproteomics reveals enzymatic strategies deployed byanaerobic microbiomes to maintain lignocellulose deconstruction at high solids

Abstract: Economicallyviable production of cellulosic biofuels requires operation at high solidsloadings —on the order of 15wt%. To this end we characterize Nature’s abilityto deconstruct and utilize mid-season switchgrass at increasing solid loadingsusing an anaerobic methanogenic microbiome.

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Toward low-cost biological and hybrid biological/catalytic conversion of cellulosic biomass to fuels

Abstract: Developing economically viable, scalable, and sustainable technologies for the conversion of lignocellulosic polysaccharides to liquid fuels is widely seen as a centerpiece of the global bioeconomy, and a key part of a multi-pronged approach to achieve carbon neutrality. Here we identify technology challenges and opportunities to achieve this promise.

Andrew Allee is now senior associate with RMI's Africa Energy Program (originally called the "Rocky Mountain Institute").

Sanchari Ghosh is a process design engineer at Genomatica in San Diego, CA.

Congratulations!

Robust paths to net greenhouse gas mitigation and negative emissions via advanced biofuels

Abstract: Biofuel and bioenergy systems are integral to most climate stabilization scenarios for displacement of transport sector fossil fuel use and for producing negative emissions via carbon capture and storage (CCS). However, the net greenhouse gas mitigation benefit of such pathways is controversial due to concerns around ecosystem carbon losses from land use change and foregone sequestration benefits from alternative land uses. Here, we couple bottom-up ecosystem simulation with models of cellulosic biofuel production and CCS in order to track ecosystem and supply chain carbon flows for current and future biofuel systems, with comparison to competing land-based biological mitigation schemes.

PhD graduate Mikayla Balch (pictured)—who studied cotreatment of lignocellulose to enhance solubilization in lieu of thermochemical pretreatment—is now a Research Scientist at KnipBio.

PhD graduate Dhananjay ("Jay") Beri (pictured)—who focused on enzyme discovery and fermentation optimization for the conversion of corn fiber to ethanol using a thermophilic coculture—is now a scientist with Visolis Inc. in Hayward, CA.

Jingxuan (Lexie) Cui, former graduate student in the Molecular and Cellular Biology Program working on metabolic engineering of cellulolytic microbes for production of biofuels, is now an Organism Engineer at Ginkgo Bioworks.

Congratulations!