Keyword: Biofuels

Briefs: Power
An experimental plant-based jet fuel could increase engine performance and efficiency, while dispensing with aromatics, the pollution-causing compounds found in conventional fuels.
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5 Ws: Green Design & Manufacturing
As concerns rise about methane, a CU startup is working toward plugging the leaks.
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Briefs: Energy
Scientists have been trying for years to create biofuels and other bioproducts more cheaply.
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Briefs: Power

Researchers have developed electronic skin (e-skin) that is applied directly on top of real skin. Made from soft, flexible rubber, it can be embedded with sensors that...

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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Methanol is sometimes referred to as ethanol's deadly twin. While the latter is the intoxicating ingredient in wine, beer, and liquor, the former is a chemical...

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Briefs: Energy
Pyroelectric energy generates energy from heat that would otherwise be wasted in a catalytic chemical reaction.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
The ALFaLDS detection tool supports oil plants.
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Briefs: Energy
The flexible, washable microgrid uses the human body to sustainably power small electronics.
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Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems
A new catalyst and microchannel reactors improve efficiency and cost of the process.
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Briefs: Materials
A method converts cotton into sugar, which can be turned into spandex, nylon, or ethanol.
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Briefs: Energy
The biofuel cells can power wearable electronics purely by using human sweat.
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Articles: Materials
NASA-developed fire protection, implantable stimulators, and more.
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Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping
Potential applications include lightweight building materials and growing cells for biomedical purposes.
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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition
Recent advances could make it feasible to deploy networks of methane sensors to detect this greenhouse gas at large facilities.
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Briefs: Energy
A new electrocatalyst efficiently converts carbon dioxide into ethanol.
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Briefs: Energy
Biofuels can achieve cost parity with petroleum fuels.
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Briefs: Energy
This fast, flexible tool allows researchers to quickly compare and prioritize strategies for converting biomass to fuels and products.
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Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing
This approach is a cost-effective way to convert carbon dioxide gas into methane.
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Briefs: Test & Measurement

Accurately detecting, locating, and quantifying leaks of methane — the main component of natural gas and a major fuel source worldwide — is critically important for both environmental...

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NASA Spinoff: Power

Methane is everywhere on Earth. It’s the main ingredient in the natural gas that powers heating, cooking, and electricity. It’s also a potent greenhouse gas. The presence of methane is also interesting...

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Briefs: Energy

Methanol is a key feedstock for the production of chemicals, some of which are used to make products such as plastics, plywood, and paints. Methanol also can fuel vehicles or be reformed to...

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Briefs: Energy

Increase in bioethanol production throughout the US has led to an increase in the process coproduct — distiller’s grains with solubles (DGS). DGS can be used to feed...

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Briefs: Energy
Measurement Method for Radioactive Methane

Anew method for measuring radioactive methane is an optical one based on spectroscopy. Previously, radioactive methane has been measured with accelerator mass spectrometry involving expensive machines. Optical measuring could be a cheaper and more agile method.

Articles: Test & Measurement

This column presents technologies that have applications in commercial areas, possibly creating the products of tomorrow. To learn more about each technology, see the contact information provided for that innovation.

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Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

The detection and localization of gas releases, such as methane from leaking natural gas pipelines or nitrogen oxides from failing electrical equipment, require high sensitivity to the target gas and insensitivity...

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Briefs: Photonics/Optics
Configuration Enables RFID Tags to Work as Sensors

The detection and localization of gas releases, such as methane from leaking natural gas pipelines or nitrogen oxides from failing electrical equipment, require high sensitivity to the target gas and insensitivity to non-target gases. Infrared (IR) absorption spectroscopy gives highly specific...

Briefs: Energy

Capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) and converting it to useful chemicals such as methanol could reduce both pollution and U.S. dependence on petroleum products. Catalysts are used to bring...

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Briefs: Test & Measurement
Carbon Dioxide Collection and Pressurization Technology

Mars is the ultimate destination for NASA's human exploration program. In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is a key technology required to enable such missions. The goals of using resources available at the exploration site are to reduce launch and delivered mass, reduce risk and cost,...