Researchers' drive: Make biofuels thrive

Chicago Tribune
By Janis Mara | McClatchy/Tribune News
July 29, 2009

BERKELEY, Calif. - -- Within the next decade, drivers around the country may get around powered by fuel made from pecan shells, switch grass or poplar trees, thanks to research at universities funded by more than $700 million in grants.

"The problem with cellulosic ethanol made from plants is that it's made of sugar, but it's not accessible. Finding the technologies to do it has been expensive," said Todd Taylor, biofuels group leader at the law firm Fredrikson & Byron in Minneapolis.

Huge grants, mostly from major oil companies, may well do the trick.

Read the full story