From Then To Now: University of Georgia Looks At Biomass Technology

In 2008, Science Daily documented researchers from The University of Georgia who were using what they saw as the latest advancements in science in order to create a new biomass technology that would dramatically increase the yield of ethanol from different types of non-food crops. Some of these crops were switch grass, Napier grass, Bermuda grass and different forms of waste. The researchers believed that producing ethanol from renewable biomass sources like grass is a great step forward because they are available in large quantities. Bio-based ethanol production is a very intense process, so it does possess some challenges. Researchers stated that the biggest challenge to this production is the efficiency of converting stalks and leaves into simple sugars. Although it may seem like this process could eventually hurt the environment, the article clearly states that this technology is environmentally friendly so opponents should not be worried about chemicals escaping into the greater environment. Eventually, the team was hoping that biomass technology could help meet local demands for ethanol so that it can serve the greater public. Over the past three to four years there has been continual development in the biomass research and development space as people are looking to move away from liquefied natural gas. However, what most of these researchers don’t know is that a lot of this technology was patented in the late 1980’s-early 1990’s making most of it open source today! Lets check out the Global Innovation Commons Biomass Technology section to learn more!

You can read the 2008 Science Daily Article HERE.