Recycled paper may fuel automobiles

 

NEW ORLEANS (UPI) -- Scientists in Louisiana say they've foundbacteria that can use recycled paper or any cellulose to producebutanol, a biofuel substitute for gasoline.

The new bacterium, dubbed "TU-103," is the first bacterial strain fromnature that can produce butanol directly from cellulose, a TulaneUniversity release said Thursday.

"Cellulose is found in all green plants, and is the most abundantorganic material on earth, and converting it into butanol is the dreamof many," said Tulane researcher Harshad Velankar.

"In the United States alone, at least 323 million tons of cellulosicmaterials that could be used to produce butanol are thrown out eachyear," he said.

As a biofuel, butanol has advantages over ethanol, the researcherssaid, because it can fuel existing motor vehicles without any enginemodifications and can be transported through existing fuel pipelines.

It is also less corrosive and can produce more energy than ethanol,they said.

"In addition to possible savings on the price per gallon, as a fuel,bio-butanol produced from cellulose would dramatically reduce carbondioxide and smog emissions in comparison to gasoline, and have apositive impact on landfill waste," research leader David Mullin said.

 

Copyright 2011 by United Press International

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc  -"Turnaround Consultants"  .

Sunridge Lodge   "Back to Eden"  Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford  backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -
 
Brant Positive Action Group  "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations 

solar development

Paper-thin solar panels made -- on paper

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (UPI) -- U.S. researchers say they've developed aflexible and extremely thin solar technology that can be printed onpaper to create a working solar cell.

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology say thetechnology could allow the solar industry to transition away fromlarge, expensive installations and toward the possibility of easilygenerated renewable electricity almost anywhere, the Los Angeles Timesreported Thursday.

The MIT researchers say vaporous inks made from common elements ratherthan pricey, toxic components like tellurium normally utilized insolar cells can create cells on plain, untreated paper, includingtissue, tracing paper and even newsprint.

The paper can be shaped and folded and still generate electricity whenunfolded, and the cells have proven to be long lasting, theresearchers said.

Current commercial solar options require glass and heavy supportstructures, whereas paper cells could be taped to a wall, attached tolaptops or made into window shades or clothing and even laminated towithstand harsh weather, the researchers said.

 

Copyright 2011 by United Press International

--
Hollecrest & Associates Inc  -"Turnaround Consultants"  .

Sunridge Lodge   "Back to Eden"  Quality 24/7 care
261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford  backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -
 
Brant Positive Action Group  "a positive community affirmative action group"

promoting goodwill and timely cost effective creative solutions to enhance the competitive well being of Brant, Brantford and Six Nations