Microbeworld Video

Plugging Microbial Activities and Genomes into the Energy Grid

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Created on Friday, 22 May 2009 15:29

Written by ccondayan

The answer to the looming fuel crisis in the 21st century may be found by thinking small, microscopic in fact.  Microscopic organisms from bacteria and cyanobacteria, to fungi to microalgae, are biological factories that are proving to be efficient sources of inexpensive, environmentally friendly biofuels that can serve as alternatives to oil.  The problem is right now most alternative biofuels use corn as a feedstock, forcing a choice between food and fuel.   Participants will present the latest findings in research funded by the Department of Energy on strategies for breaking down non-food biomass and converting it into biofuels including ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen and electricity.

Speakers Include:

Martin Keller, Oakridge Natl. Lab., Oakridge Tennesee

James Liao, Univ. of California, Los Angeles

Timothy Donohue, Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison

Andreas Schirmer, LS9, Inc, South San Francisco, California