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DOE awards Donald Danforth Plant Science Center $16M to enhance energy sorghum

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Building on earlier research using the model grass, green foxtail ( Setaria viridis ), this project will identify new genes and pathways that contribute to photosynthesis and enhanced water use efficiency. It is among the most efficient crops in conversion of solar energy and use of water, making it an ideal crop to target for improvement.

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Study Finds Regional Variations in Irrigation Practices Can Push Corn Ethanol Water Requirements 3x Higher Than Earlier Estimates; Need to Account for Regional Specifics in Mandates

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The foreground bar height indicates the EWe of each state, with the portion of ground and surface water indicated by color. Researchers at the University of Minnesota have estimated state-level field-to-pump water requirements of corn ethanol production across the US. Credit: ACS. Click to enlarge. Chiu et al.

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The Effect of Landscape Position on Biomass Crop Yield

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A study by researchers at the University of Minnesota has found that hillslope processes influence biomass productivity. Landscape processes, such as hill slope length and gradient, water retention and flow patterns, and soil properties have been shown to influence crop yield.

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DOE awards $35M to 12 ARPA-E projects to reduce methane emissions; 5 on natural gas engines

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The proposed MOC will use a hydrothermally stable formulation to promote high conversion efficiencies in low-temperature and high-water concentration environments.(Selection University of Minnesota will use plasma-assisted combustion to enhance flare methane destruction efficiency. Selection amount: $3,257,089).

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$112.5M awarded to research consortia studying effects of Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Gulf of Mexico

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These teams will investigate the fate of petroleum in the environment; the impacts of the spill; and the development of new tools and technology for responding to future spills and improving mitigation and restoration. Project Title: Consortium for Advanced Research of Hydrocarbon Transport in the Environment (CARTHE).

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DOE, USDA awarding $12.6M to 10 biomass genomics research projects for improved biofuels

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Michael Marks, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. Genomics of Energy’s Water Use Efficiency / Drought Resilience Goal: Increase the water use efficiency, drought resilience, and yield of high biomass energy Sorghum and other C4 bioenergy grasses. 2014 Biomass Genomics Resarch projects. DOE-BER funded. 1,230,600.

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US Maritime Administration to fund projects on reducing emissions from marine vessels, study on LNG bunkering

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MARAD recently completed a study—reported in the February 2013 “ Status of the US-Flag Great Lakes Water Transportation Industry ”—that focused on the feasibility of using natural gas on the Great Lakes as well as converting existing steamships. (In Identify similar regulations for in-water bunkering. Bunkering and Safety.

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