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Researchers develop dual cellular-heterogeneous catalyst technology to produce olefins from plant sugar

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These renewable liquids could serve as a more sustainable replacement for today’s fossil fuels used to make everyday products such as plastic containers and bags, automobile parts, lubricants, and soaps. Wang et al. The biorenewable molecules that Professor Chang’s group made were perfect raw materials for catalytic refining. Koleski, E.J.

Minnesota 221
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ZAP, Zhejiang Jonway Partner to Target China and Export EV Markets

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US-based electric vehicle provider ZAP and China auto manufacturer Zhejiang Jonway Automobile Co. Jonway currently manufactures several thousand units per month of its A380 compact SUV in 3- and 5-door models and is expanding its product line with new model sedans and other automobiles. The Jonway A380. Click to enlarge. ZAP Hangzhou.

China 186
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Gevo Biobutanol Retrofit Plant Starts Up; Gevo Launches Development Company to Retrofit Ethanol Plants

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Standard automobile and small engines can run on biobutanol blended into gasoline at any ratio, according to Gevo. This successful retrofit also represents the first step along the route to produce cellulosic biobutanol which will be possible once biomass conversion technology becomes commercially available. Earlier post.).

Companies 246
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U Minn seeking to license new process to produce isoprene from biomass at high yield; green tires

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Although processes exist for the production of isoprene from biomass, these processes suffer from low overall yields or low conversion rates, preventing them from being economically feasible. Initiated in 2009, the CSP has focused on transforming how plastics are made and unmade through innovative research.

Minnesota 150
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Honeywell and DuPont Form JV To Manufacture Low GWP Refrigerant HFO-1234yf for Mobile AC

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The product meets European Union regulatory requirements for lower GWP refrigerants for automobile air conditioning systems. The refrigerant costs more to make and reportedly requires new plants, rather than conversion of a existing facilities. DuPont and Honeywell developed the product jointly but will market and sell it separately.

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BMW provides an update on waste heat recovery projects; Turbosteamer and the Thermoelectric Generator

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There is great potential for considerable fuel savings if the electrical energy required by all of the systems in an automobile can be produced using waste heat rather than relying solely on the vehicle’s generator, the company notes. Then in 2009, the BMW Group unveiled an alternative development in this project.

Waste 376
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GM Releases New Viability Plan, Launches Bond Exchange; Phasing Out Pontiac

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As part of the new plan, GM will accelerate the wind-down or sale of HUMMER, Saturn and Saab to the end of 2009, and phase out Pontiac by the end of 2010. In total, the US Treasury debt conversion, VEBA modification and bond exchange could result in at least $44 billion in debt reduction. Fritz Henderson. The plan assumes a 19.5%

GM 150