High-Speed Pipeline Revs Up Biomass Analysis

PhysOrg.com
March 9, 2010 by Bill Scanlon Enlarge

(PhysOrg.com) -- High throughput system can analyze enzymes, poplars, switch grass, thousands at a time to help determine which plants are best suited for biofuels.

A new pipeline at the National Renewable Energy Lab is analyzing 1,000 samples of biomass at a time, finding which one, combined with the right enzyme, most eagerly gives up its sugars to be converted into biofuel.

The deadline is just 12 years away to turn switch grass, poplar trees or other renewable biomass into 36 billion gallons of fuel for cars and trucks.

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