fuels

Improved reaction data heat up the biofuels harvest

harminka — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 12:49:28 -0500

High food prices, concern over dwindling supplies of fossil fuels and the desire for clean, renewable energy have led many to seek ways to make ethanol out of cellulosic sources such as wood, hay and switchgrass. But today's processes are notoriously inefficient.

Methane from microbes, fuel for the future

harminka — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 02:55:47 -0600

Microbes could provide a clean, renewable energy source and use up carbon dioxide in the process, suggested Dr James Chong at a Science Media Centre press briefing.

Investigating failure mechanisms of fuel cells will improve their durability

harminka — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:04:56 -0600

Fuel cells can be expensive and they typically don’t last as long as their internal combustion counterparts.

Race for biofuels driving alternative sources of biomass

harminka — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 05:47:57 -0500

Researchers have been studying fuels from biomass for years. Now, with growing dependency on foreign oils and an energy-conscious society emerging, biofuels are fast becoming part of a fuel revolution that could reach pumps all across America.

Biofuels research goes down on farm

harminka — Wed, 29 Aug 2007 09:21:59 -0500

Oklahoma State University’s sorghum-related biofuels research is taking a localized approach, with the aim of making possible the effective production of ethanol in the farmer’s own field.

VeraSun-Branded VE85TM Ethanol Will Fill Kroger Pumps

harminka — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 12:03:55 -0500

The Kroger Co., VeraSun Energy Corp. and Enterprise Rent-A-Car announced several moves Tuesday to make VeraSun-branded VE85TM ethanol an easier choice for rental customers.

General Motors to introduce 14 new powertrains in 2008 model year

harminka — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 07:50:30 -0500

General Motors Corp. will introduce 14 new or significantly revised powertrains in the 2008 model year – including five 1.0L to 2.0L small-displacement engine variants – with a focus on saving fuel and improving performance in GM’s cars and trucks.

An Affordable Alternative for Fuel Cells

harminka — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 05:17:36 -0500

Platinum is the most efficient metal electrocatalyst for accelerating chemical reactions in fuel cells. However, the reactions caused by the expensive metal are slow, and undesired side reactions often degrade the electrode.

A Different Way to Turn Water into Fuel

harminka — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 05:16:02 -0500

Brookhaven chemist James Muckerman works with a team of researchers to design catalysts inspired by photosynthesis, the natural process by which green plants convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into oxygen and carbohydrates.

Coal-based fuels and products hit refinery

harminka — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 12:01:48 -0500

A variety of end products including jet fuel, gasoline, carbon anodes and heating oil may be possible using existing refineries and combinations of coal and refinery by-products, according to a team of Penn State researchers.

Net energy is useless, dangerous metric

harminka — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:43:59 -0500

As oil becomes scarce, the world needs new transportation fuels. As new fuel options develop we need means of assessing which are most effective at replacing petroleum. So far many scientists have used a measure called ‘net energy’.

Details announced of new vehicle-fuel standard

harminka — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 07:51:01 -0500

University of California experts released their much-anticipated blueprint for fighting global warming by reducing the amount of carbon emitted when transportation fuels are used in California.