Breakthrough in Biofuels? Maybe.

Forbes.com
Mar. 8 2011 - 11:57 am
By WILLIAM PENTLAND

Scientists have pioneered a process for producing isobutanol directly from cellulose, according to research published in the online journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

“Unlike ethanol, isobutanol can be blended at any ratio with gasoline and should eliminate the need for dedicated infrastructure in tanks or vehicles,” said James Liao, professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science. “Plus, it may be possible to use isobutanol directly in current engines without modification.”

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