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Related Concept Videos

Biofuels01:25

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...
Fates of Pyruvate01:20

Fates of Pyruvate

Pyruvate is the end product of glycolysis, where glucose is oxidized to pyruvate, simultaneously reducing NAD+ to NADH. Two molecules of ATP are also produced by substrate-level phosphorylation.
In aerobic organisms, pyruvate is metabolized via the citric acid cycle to produce reduced coenzymes NADH and FADH2. These coenzymes are then oxidized in the electron transport chain to produce ATP and, in the process, regenerate the NAD+ and FAD. As seen in some cell types and organisms, fermentation...
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

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...
Bioplastics01:27

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...
First Law of Thermodynamics00:37

First Law of Thermodynamics

The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. This can be demonstrated within a classic food web where light energy from the sun is harnessed as radiant energy by plants, converted into chemical energy, and stored as complex carbohydrates. The vegetation is then consumed by animals and during the digestion process, the sugars release energy as heat. The sugars also produce chemical energy that either gets used up doing work, stored in...
What is Photosynthesis?00:39

What is Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is a multipart, biochemical process that occurs in plants as well as in some bacteria. It captures carbon dioxide and solar energy to produce glucose. Glucose stores chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates. The overall biochemical formula of photosynthesis is 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + Light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2. Photosynthesis releases oxygen into the atmosphere and is largely responsible for maintaining the Earth’s atmospheric oxygen content.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Biomass Conversion to Produce Hydrocarbon Liquid Fuel Via Hot-vapor Filtered Fast Pyrolysis and Catalytic Hydrotreating
11:28

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

Published on: December 25, 2016

Solar energy to biofuels.

Rakesh Agrawal1, Navneet R Singh

  • 1School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. agrawalr@purdue.edu

Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
|March 22, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Biomass can be a sustainable fuel source, but solar energy can significantly boost liquid fuel production. New technologies are needed for an efficient, integrated energy transport infrastructure.

Area of Science:

  • Sustainable energy technologies
  • Chemical engineering
  • Transportation infrastructure

Background:

  • Biomass is a potential nonfossil source for high-energy-density transportation fuels.
  • Current biomass limitations necessitate supplementary energy sources for liquid fuel production.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review biomass-to-liquid (BTL) fuel conversion processes.
  • To explore the use of solar energy to enhance liquid fuel yields.
  • To present a template for a future sustainable transport infrastructure.

Main Methods:

  • Review of biomass-to-liquid fuel conversion technologies.
  • Analysis of solar energy integration for increased fuel production efficiency.
  • Development of a conceptual framework for a synergistic transport energy system.

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Laboratory Production of Biofuels and Biochemicals from a Rapeseed Oil through Catalytic Cracking Conversion
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Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry
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Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

Published on: March 6, 2016

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Last Updated: May 23, 2026

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

Published on: December 25, 2016

Laboratory Production of Biofuels and Biochemicals from a Rapeseed Oil through Catalytic Cracking Conversion
11:33

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

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Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry
11:44

Qualitative Characterization of the Aqueous Fraction from Hydrothermal Liquefaction of Algae Using 2D Gas Chromatography with Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

Published on: March 6, 2016

Main Results:

  • Solar energy can significantly enhance liquid fuel production from biomass by treating biomass as a carbon source.
  • Integrated energy systems utilizing electricity, hydrogen (H2), and heat offer higher efficiencies.
  • A proposed transport infrastructure template reduces land area requirements.

Conclusions:

  • Supplementary solar energy is crucial for maximizing liquid fuel from biomass.
  • A synergistic, multi-energy transport infrastructure is essential for sustainability.
  • Transition strategies involving biomass and fossil fuels can aid in the shift.