Newark (NY) and China - Researchers have discovered a tungsten carbide-based catalyst which converts cellulose directly into ethylene glycol, an intermediate product which can be readily converted into different types of fuel.  This discovery uses the cellulose from plants directly, not its fruit or vegetables (basically the waste material like stalks, branches and leaves).  The process does not rely on sugars being fermented.   It is a direct chemical process which takes cellulose and coverts it to alcohols quickly, efficiently and in one step.

Cellulose to intermediate chemicals

Two teams of researchers led by Tao Zhang at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics in China, and Jingguang G. Chen at the University of Delaware (Newark) have developed a catalyst which makes the conversion of plant biowaste material to alcohols work.  Made of tungsten carbide deposited on a carbon support with small amounts of nickel added to improve efficiency, a type of synergetic effect between the nickel and tungsten carbide is created.  It allows for a 100% conversion of cellulose with a 61% yield of polyalcohols.  To put this 61% yield of alcohols into perspective, the most comprehensive fermentation processes used today typically produce only 16% alcohols (32 proof) without distillation.

Currently, the processes being used are not economically feasible as there is a limited supply of tungsten on the Earth and the creation of the catalyst is complex and expensive.  For mass industry uses, alternate materials would have to be created to produce a less costly catalyst.  Still, the idea has now been proven and it's only a matter of time before someone else sees their findings and improves upon the technology.

Similar solutions found this month

Last week we read about two scientists who independently discovered a similar solution earlier this month.  Their discovery also converts the inedible portions of plant biomass.  Theirs creates a layer of fatty acids and oils which float atop a layer of water.  They are esasily extracted and "upgraded" directly into gasoline, diesel fuel and jet fuel identical to those fuels we use in our vehicles today.  The only differene being the source.  In this case it is clean, green, renewable plant materials.

In a separate discovery, MIT recently developed a way to move solar panels toward the sun without electrical motors or servos.  Tracking the sun increases daily power generation efficiency by up to 38%.  And discoveries in recent years, such as plastic solar cells, improvements to solar cell layering which utilizes more of the spectrum of light (now up to 41% efficient), and wind power generators, are being placed all around.

Solutions are coming, and quickly

In the last year I've written and researched articles about several new alternate sources of green energy.  Two of the biggest which leap to mind are bacteria-based and a system which creates burnable fuel (comparable to gasoline or diesel fuel) directly from the oils produced by salt water algae.  Those algae are capable of producing a sustained 19,000 gallons per acre per year.  The salt water algae farms require lots of sunlight and could be constructed in what is otherwise useless land today, i.e. deserts.  The bacteria power solution can be created in holes dug right in the ground and, once created, never require maintenance again (though their power generation is relatively low, such as every 5 gallons produces enough electricity to recharge a cell phone in about six months).

Conclusion

Two separate biomass-to-fuel solutions have been announced within the last month.  Both of these convert the non-edible plant materials directly into a renewable form of energy for fuel.  They would also have the welcomed side effect of reducing the growing worldwide food expenses associated with corn (as that is the primary sugar source for ethanol generation today).

The growing costs of fuel are forcing scientists to explore previously untapped areas of science.  It is only a matter of time before the holy grail of renewable, cheap, clean and green sources of energy is found.  Whether it comes from advancements in solar power, wind power, hydro-electric power, or the conversion of otherwise waste plant material into fuel, it will come ... if we can just wait a short while.