Jun
11
Washington State University researchers have made a key advance in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that could make the highly energy-efficient and low-polluting technology a more viable alternative to gasoline combustion engines for powering cars. Led by PhD graduate Qusay Bkour and Professor Su Ha in the Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering […]
Nov
26
Two Steps From Wood to Gasoline
November 26, 2014 | 2 Comments
Researchers at the Netherland’s KU Leuven’s Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis have successfully converted sawdust into building blocks for gasoline. With the invention of a new chemical process, they were able to convert the cellulose of wood sawdust into hydrocarbon chains. These hydrocarbons can be used as an additive in gasoline, or as a […]
Nov
6
Bacteria Boosted to Produce More Isopentenol for Gasoline
November 6, 2014 | Leave a Comment
An international team of bioengineers has boosted the ability of bacteria to produce isopentenol, a compound with desirable gasoline properties. Isopentenol is a five-carbon alcohol that is a highly promising candidate for biogasoline, but, like other short-chained alcohols, is toxic to E.coli at commercial levels of fuel production. The finding, published in mBio®, the online […]
Jul
16
A New Hybrid Fuel Engine Design
July 16, 2014 | Leave a Comment
A University of Wisconsin team led by Professor Rolf Reitz has designed a hybrid fueled engine using both diesel fuel and gasoline that is 59.5% efficient. Chemical efficiency at 59.5% is far better than gasoline engines and 10 to 15% better than the 52% maximum in modern diesel truck engines. Professor Reitz is one to […]
Jun
17
A Fuel Cell Directly Fueled With Jet Fuel or Gasoline
June 17, 2014 | 4 Comments
Washington State University (WSU) researchers have developed the first fuel cell that can directly convert jet fuel or gasoline to electricity. If the fuel cell will scale up economically that could take the 30 mpg automobile beyond 100 mpg. Its a dramatically more energy efficient way to create electric power for planes or cars. The […]