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Biofuels

Biofuels

The microbial conversion of organic matter into biofuels holds potential as a renewable energy source. Among biofuel sources, microalgae are recognized as a highly efficient and adaptable feedstock for biodiesel production, owing to their rapid biomass accumulation, elevated lipid productivity, and capacity to proliferate in diverse aquatic systems, including freshwater, marine, and wastewater habitats. Unlike terrestrial crops, microalgae do not compete for land and can achieve significantly...

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...

Bioplastics

Bioplastics

Bioplastics derived from microbial processes present a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics. Among these, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), particularly polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), have emerged as prominent candidates due to their biodegradability and biocompatibility. These polymers are synthesized by a variety of bacteria, such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida, which naturally accumulate PHAs as intracellular carbon and energy reserves, especially under...

Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development

As the human population continues to grow and use resources, we must be mindful of our planet’s natural limits. Sustainable development provides a pathway to maintain and improve human life now while also ensuring that future generations will have the resources that they need. The long-term success of sustainability efforts rests on understanding the interplay between human actions and ecological systems.

Bioremediation

Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.

Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial Fuel Cells

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are bioelectrochemical devices that generate electricity by exploiting the metabolic processes of electrogenic bacteria. These systems provide a renewable energy source and serve as an innovative method for treating organic waste, such as wastewater.A typical MFC consists of two chambers: an anoxic (oxygen-free) compartment that houses the bacteria and an oxic (oxygen-rich) compartment that contains oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor. Many MFCs use proton...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Biomass Conversion to Produce Hydrocarbon Liquid Fuel Via Hot-vapor Filtered Fast Pyrolysis and Catalytic Hydrotreating

Biomass Conversion to Produce Hydrocarbon Liquid Fuel Via Hot-vapor Filtered Fast Pyrolysis and Catalytic Hydrotreating

Published on: December 25, 2016

Biofuels and sustainability.

Barry D Solomon¹

¹Environmental Policy Program, Department of Social Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan 49931-1295, USA. bdsolomo@mtu.edu

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences

|February 12, 2010

Summary

Liquid biofuels offer an alternative to petroleum, but sustainability concerns are key. Developing criteria for ecological economics and sustainability science can guide a shift toward more responsible biofuel production and use.

Area of Science:

Ecological economics
Sustainability science
Biofuel production and use

Background:

Global interest in liquid biofuels is driven by petroleum scarcity and climate change mitigation goals.
Current markets are dominated by corn ethanol (US), sugarcane ethanol (Brazil), and rapeseed biodiesel (Europe).
Emerging alternatives include cellulosic ethanol from agricultural/forestry residues and perennial grasses.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current liquid biofuels production and use efforts.
To analyze these efforts within the frameworks of ecological economics and sustainability science.
To discuss common dimensions for sustainable biofuels.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent studies on biofuels.
Analysis of biofuels through the lens of ecological economics and sustainability science.

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Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Biomass Conversion to Produce Hydrocarbon Liquid Fuel Via Hot-vapor Filtered Fast Pyrolysis and Catalytic Hydrotreating

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Published on: December 25, 2016

Laboratory Production of Biofuels and Biochemicals from a Rapeseed Oil through Catalytic Cracking Conversion

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Published on: September 2, 2016

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Published on: August 10, 2016

Discussion of key sustainability dimensions: scale, efficiency, equity, socio-economic issues, and environmental effects.

Main Results:

Several dimensions are critical for assessing biofuel sustainability, including resource scale, economic and energy efficiency, equity, and environmental impacts.
Existing biofuels face challenges related to land use, the food versus fuel debate, and socio-economic factors.
Developing clear sustainability criteria is crucial for guiding the industry.

Conclusions:

Sustainable biofuels require careful consideration of feedstock, production practices, and broader socio-economic and environmental impacts.
Established criteria, like those from Sweden and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels, show promise in shifting away from unsustainable grain-based biofuels.
Future efforts should focus on sustainable feedstocks and production methods to meet diverse sustainability criteria.