Louisiana Tech University researchers are working to capitalize on the environmental and financial benefits of biofuels by using nanotechnology to further improve the cellulosic ethanol processes, Research and Development magazine reported. The nanotechnology processes developed by the scientists can immobilize the expensive enzymes used to convert cellulose to sugars and allows them to be reused several time, thereby significantly reducing the process cost. The researchers estimated a savings ranging from approximately $32 million for each cellulosic ethanol plant to a total of $7.5 billion if federal cellulosic goals are achieved. The new process can be easily applied for large-scale cellulosic production.

(Research and Development, October 9, 20090

(http://www.rdmag.com/…)