More catalysts for biofuel production

While I am a nuclear energy advocate, I recognize that the transportation sector is likely to be reliant on liquid fuels for a long time. Thus, the news that catalysts for biofuel production from biomass have been identified in panda poop (great headlines come of that) and engineered yeast that digest seaweed much more rapidly qualifies as good news. And I think seaweed production could be ramped up pretty readily; the green muck that keeps hitting the coast of Brittany in recent summers indicates we're already pretty good at it.

Turning seaweed into biofuel in half the time


Panda poop key to biofuel production?

"Based on other studies, [Ashli] Brown estimated that under certain conditions these panda gut bacteria can convert about 95 percent of plant biomass into simple sugars. The bacteria contain enzymes — highly active substances that speed up chemical reactions — so powerful that they can eliminate the need for high heat, harsh acids and high pressures currently used in biofuel production processes, she said. Those processes also tend to be time- and energy-intensive, as well as expensive. Panda bacteria could therefore provide a faster, cleaner and less costly way to make biofuels."