http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/petroleum/ Petroleum Engineering. From coal-based jet fuel to undiscovered petroleum resources, read all the petroleum industry news here. en-us Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:05:02 EST Thu, 16 Feb 2012 01:05:02 EST 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/petroleum/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120215143112.htm With expanded production of nanomaterials fast approaching, scientists are reporting indications that dust generated during processing may explode more easily than dust from other common dust explosion hazards. Their article indicates that nanomaterial dust could explode from a spark with only 1/30th the energy needed to ignite sugar dust — cause of the 2008 Portwentworth, Georgia, explosion that killed 13 people, injured 42 people and destroyed a factory. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:31:31 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120215143112.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209172926.htm Those who have ventured to turn a vacant barn or garage into an aquaculture business have too often been defeated by high energy and feed costs, building-related woes and serious environmental problems. Now researchers are melding building design, fish ecology and aquaculture engineering techniques into a first-of-its-kind "building-integrated aquaculture" (BIAq) model to offer an affordable, more holistic and sustainable approach to indoor fish production located close to markets and able to succeed even in cold climates. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:29:29 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209172926.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209152810.htm A technique for creating a new molecule that structurally and chemically replicates the active part of the molybdenite catalyst paves the way for developing catalytic materials that can serve as effective low-cost alternatives to platinum for generating hydrogen gas from water. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 15:28:28 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209152810.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209135838.htm Scientists have found that a new type of battery has the potential to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of solar power. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:58:58 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209135838.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209135836.htm Mushy tomatoes, brown bananas and overripe cherries -- to date, waste from wholesale markets has ended up on the compost heap at best. In future it will be put to better use: Researchers have developed a new facility that ferments this waste to make methane, which can be used to power vehicles. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:58:58 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120209135836.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208132844.htm Scientists have gathered new insight into the performance of a material called a zeolite that may filter carbon dioxide far more efficiently than current industrial "scrubbers" do. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:28:28 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208132844.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208102737.htm In research to develop a novel, eco-friendly filter to remove toxic gases from the air, scientists found that a material made from used coffee grounds can sop up hydrogen sulfide gas, the chemical that makes raw sewage stinky. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:27:27 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120208102737.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206144127.htm In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama praised the potential of the country's tremendous supply of natural gas buried in shale. But the "Halliburton exclusion" passed by Congress says gas companies don't have to disclose the chemicals used in fracturing fluids. That was a real mistake because it makes the public needlessly paranoid, says a geophysicist. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:41:41 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/02/120206144127.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126223609.htm The economic pain of a flattening oil supply will trump the environment as a reason to curb the use of fossil fuels, say scientists. Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:36:36 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120126223609.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124140319.htm Research by chemists could impact worldwide efforts to produce clean, safe nuclear energy and reduce radioactive waste. They have used metal-organic frameworks to capture and remove volatile radioactive gas from spent nuclear fuel. Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:03:03 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120124140319.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118173240.htm For some time, researchers have explored flammable ice for low-carbon or alternative fuel or as a place to store carbon dioxide. Now, a computer analysis of the ice and gas compound, known as a gas hydrate, reveals key details of its structure. The results show that hydrates can hold hydrogen at an optimal capacity of 5 weight-percent, a value that meets the goal of a U.S. Department of Energy standard and makes gas hydrates practical and affordable. Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:32:32 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120118173240.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112095853.htm No less than one-third of a car's fuel consumption is spent in overcoming friction, and this friction loss has a direct impact on both fuel consumption and emissions. However, new technology can reduce friction by anything from 10 to 80 percent in various components of a car, according to a new study. Thu, 12 Jan 2012 09:58:58 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120112095853.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110151710.htm The available amount of fossil fuels is limited and their combustion in vehicle motors increases atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The generation of fuels from biomass as an alternative is on the rise. Scientists have now introduced a new catalytic process that allows the effective conversion of biopetroleum from microalgae into diesel fuels. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 15:17:17 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110151710.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110140227.htm Researchers have determined the three-dimensional crystal structure of a protein that is key to boosting the microbial-based production of bisabolane as a clean, green and renewable biosynthetic alternative to D2 diesel fuel. Tue, 10 Jan 2012 14:02:02 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110140227.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109155712.htm By combining detailed chemical measurements in the deep ocean, in the oil slick, and in the air, NOAA scientists and academic colleagues have independently estimated how fast gases and oil were leaking during the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The new chemistry-based spill rate estimate, an average of 11,130 tons of gas and oil compounds per day, is close to the official average leak rate estimate of about 11,350 tons. Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:57:57 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120109155712.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111223091335.htm If all the UK's discarded wrapping paper and Christmas cards were collected and fermented, they could make enough biofuel to run a double-decker bus to the moon and back more than 20 times, according to the researchers behind a new scientific study. Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:13:13 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111223091335.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111220133709.htm Researchers have developed a new and significantly cheaper method of manufacturing fuel cells. A noble metal nanoparticle catalyst for fuel cells is prepared using atomic layer deposition. Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:37:37 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111220133709.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213190154.htm A new study concludes that small modular reactors may hold the key to the future of U.S. nuclear power generation. Tue, 13 Dec 2011 19:01:01 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111213190154.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111211134002.htm What would be a case for the repair shop for a car engine is completely normal for a micro engine. If it sputters, this is caused by the thermal motions of the smallest particles, which interfere with its running. Researchers have now observed this with a heat engine on the micrometer scale. They have also determined that the machine does actually perform work, all things considered. Although this cannot be used as yet, the experiment shows that an engine does basically work, even if it is on the microscale. This means that there is nothing, in principle, to prevent the construction of highly efficient, small heat engines. Sun, 11 Dec 2011 13:40:40 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111211134002.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208173716.htm Shifting a fraction of truck-borne freight onto trains would have an outsized impact on air quality in the Midwest, according to researchers. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:37:37 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208173716.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208121024.htm The concept of the hydrogen economy (HE), in which hydrogen would replace the carbon-based fossil fuels of the twentieth century was first mooted in the 1970s. Today, HE is seen as a potential solution to the dual global crises of climate change and dwindling oil reserves. A research article suggests that HE is wrong and SHE has the answer in the sustainable hydrogen economy. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:10:10 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208121024.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208121022.htm The current Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards create a financial incentive for auto companies to make bigger vehicles that are allowed to meet lower targets, according to a new study. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:10:10 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208121022.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208121020.htm Graphene's star is rising as a material that could become essential to efficient, environmentally sound oil production. Researchers are taking advantage of graphene's outstanding strength, light weight and solubility to enhance fluids used to drill oil wells. Thu, 08 Dec 2011 12:10:10 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111208121020.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206102527.htm Global carbon dioxide emissions increased by a record 5.9 per cent in 2010 following the dampening effect of the 2008-2009 Global Financial Crisis, according to scientists working with the Global Carbon Project. Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111206102527.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111205140613.htm The sharp decrease in global carbon dioxide emissions attributed to the worldwide financial crisis in 2009 quickly rebounded in 2010, according to researchers. Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:06:06 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111205140613.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201163608.htm A team of scientists have used the Ozone Monitoring Instrument on NASA's Aura satellite to confirm major reductions in the levels of a key air pollutant generated by coal power plants in the eastern United States. The pollutant, sulfur dioxide, contributes to the formation of acid rain and can cause serious health problems. Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:36:36 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201163608.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201132521.htm Despite aggressive demand-management policies announced in recent years, China's oil use could easily reach levels comparable to today's US levels by 2040, according to a new energy study. Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:25:25 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201132521.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201112651.htm Clean energy can help meet growing electricity demand and minimize pollution in the Southern United States, but progress to adopt renewable energy strategies has been hindered by a number of myths, according to a new study. Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:26:26 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/12/111201112651.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130100013.htm The assumption that high jet steam wind speeds in the upper atmosphere correspond to high wind power has now been challenged by new research. Taking into account that the high wind speeds result from the near absence of friction and not from a strong power source, scientists found that the maximum extractable energy from jet streams is approximately 200 times less than reported previously. Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111130100013.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129185929.htm Solving the mystery of prematurely dead cell phone and laptop batteries may prove to be a vital step toward creating a sustainable energy grid according to researchers. Scientists now call for a new, standardized gauge of performance measurement for energy storage devices. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:59:59 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129185929.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129123307.htm Strains of E. coli bacteria were engineered to digest switchgrass biomass and synthesize its sugars into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. The switchgrass, which is among the most highly touted of the potential feedstocks for advanced biofuels, was pre-treated with ionic liquid, a key to the success of this study. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:33:33 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129123307.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129123255.htm A new study questions the cost-effectiveness of biofuels and says they would barely reduce fossil fuel use and would likely increase greenhouse gas emissions. Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:32:32 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111129123255.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111122143356.htm A new study is first to focus on the extra carbon savings that can be squeezed from trees when wood not suitable for long-term building materials is used for bioenergy: Depending on the process used, ethanol from woody biomass emits less greenhouse gas than an equivalent amount of gasoline, between 70 percent and a little over 100 percent less. In contrast, corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions 22 percent on average. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 14:33:33 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111122143356.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111118151414.htm Introducing a special corn gene into switchgrass was found to significantly boost the viability of the switchgrass biomass as a feedstock crop for advanced biofuels. The gene, a variant of the Corngrass1 gene, holds the switchgrass in a perpetual juvenile state, more than doubling its starch content and making it easier to convert its polysaccharides into fermentable sugars. Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:14:14 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111118151414.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111117141157.htm Recent studies have demonstrated that nanoparticles of cerium oxide -- common diesel fuel additives used to increase the fuel efficiency of automobile engines -- can travel from the lungs to the liver and that this process is associated with liver damage. Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:11:11 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111117141157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115180311.htm U.S. Marines are testing a high-tech trash disposal system that can reduce a standard 50-gallon bag of waste to a half-pint jar of harmless ash. Called the Micro Auto Gasification System, the unit is currently undergoing evaluation by US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific as a possible solution to help Marines win their daily battle against the increasing trash at remote forward operating bases. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:03:03 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115180311.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115175352.htm When biomass is combusted the carbon that once was bound in the growing tree is released into the atmosphere. For this reason, bioenergy is often considered carbon dioxide neutral. Research from Sweden, however, shows that this is a simplification. The use of bioenergy may affect ecosystem carbon stocks, and it can take anything from 2 to 100 years for different biofuels to achieve carbon dioxide neutrality. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 17:53:53 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115175352.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115132855.htm Combustible gases generated by organic matter in landfill sites or from biomass are commonly burned to generate electricity. However, Finnish researchers suggest that such biogas might be more usefully used as an alternative feedstock for the chemical industry. They explain that using biogas in this way would reduce our dependency on oil and gas-derived products and is commercially and technically viable. Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:28:28 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111115132855.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111110125635.htm Scientists report that five metals, essential for manufacturing low-carbon technologies, show a high risk of shortage. Reasons for this lie in Europe's dependency on imports, increasing global demand, supply concentration and geopolitical issues. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:56:56 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111110125635.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111109143017.htm American energy use went back up in 2010 compared to 2009, when consumption was at a 12-year low. The United States used more fossil fuels in 2010 than in 2009, while renewable electricity remained approximately constant, with an increase in wind power offset by a modest decline in hydroelectricity. There also was a significant increase in biomass consumption, according to the most recent energy flow charts. Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:30:30 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111109143017.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111108133045.htm Fuel made from wood could become a competitive commercial alternative to fuel made from corn by 2020 if the wood biofuel industry is supported, according to a new study. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:30:30 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111108133045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111106151009.htm A research team has developed a computational method that can save scientists and engineers valuable time in the discovery process. The new algorithm automatically generates and tests hypothetical metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), zeroing in on the most promising structures. These MOFs then can be synthesized and tested in the lab. The researchers quickly identified more than 300 different MOFs that are predicted to be better than any known material for methane storage. Sun, 06 Nov 2011 15:10:10 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111106151009.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103212157.htm New research into greenhouse gas emissions from oil palm plantations provides robust measures now being used to inform international policies on greenhouse gas emissions. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:21:21 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103212157.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103120448.htm Researchers have developed a technology that combines the conventional fuel used in today's power plants with the lower pressures and temperatures of steam produced by solar power. His new "hybrid" power plant is a potentially cost-effective and realistic way to integrate solar technology into existing power plants. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:04:04 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/11/111103120448.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111026143721.htm Researchers from Hong Kong report that organic compounds of unexpected complexity exist throughout the Universe. They indicate that an organic substance commonly found throughout the Universe contains a mixture of aromatic and aliphatic components. The results suggest that complex organic compounds are not the sole domain of life but can be made naturally by stars. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:37:37 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111026143721.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111025135936.htm New research documents significant geothermal resources across the United States capable of producing more than three million megawatts of green power -- 10 times the installed capacity of coal power plants today. Tue, 25 Oct 2011 13:59:59 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111025135936.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111023135657.htm The largest and most comprehensive study yet done on the effect of biofuel production from West Coast forests has concluded that an emphasis on bioenergy would increase carbon dioxide emissions from these forests at least 14 percent. The findings are contrary to assumptions and some previous studies that suggest biofuels from this source would be carbon-neutral or even reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this research, that wasn't true in any scenario. Sun, 23 Oct 2011 13:56:56 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111023135657.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111018154525.htm Natural gas mining has drawn fire recently after claims that hydraulic fracturing, an increasingly popular technique for tapping hard-to-reach reservoirs, contaminates groundwater. Surface lakes, rivers and streams may also be at risk. In a new paper, researchers estimate the average proximity of drill platforms to surface lakes and streams for two large shale basins underlying much of the eastern United States. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 15:45:45 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111018154525.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111018084402.htm Researchers in Finland have achieved good results in using waste and other excess products from industry to develop new and innovative fuels for transport. The researchers have studied the processing of both biobutanol and biogas into transport fuels. Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:44:44 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111018084402.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111016212021.htm Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a thermoplastic polyester which occurs naturally in bacteria as Ralstonia eutropha and Bacillus megaterium. Even though PHB is biodegradable and is not dependent on fossil resources, this bioplastic has been traditionally too expensive to produce to replace petroleum-based plastics. New research describes an alternative method of producing PHB in microalgae. Sun, 16 Oct 2011 21:20:20 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111016212021.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111014080045.htm Today there is a wide variety of energy storage technologies at very different stages of development. Among them, the Redox Flow Battery (RFB) is an innovative solution based on the use of liquid electrolytes stored in tanks and pumped through a reactor to produce energy. Researchers are currently working in the development of high performance RFBs. Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111014080045.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013111130.htm Researchers in Vermont confirm that it is technically feasible to convert cow manure to electricity on farms, but the economic returns depend highly on the base electricity price; the premium paid for converted energy; financial supports from government and other agencies; and the ability to sell byproducts of the methane generation. Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111013111130.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111012132709.htm Researchers have overcome a major hurdle in the quest to design a specialized type of molecular sieve that could make the production of gasoline, plastics and various chemicals more cost effective and energy efficient. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 13:27:27 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111012132709.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111012083623.htm A new ultra-sensitive technology which can monitor leaks from underwater gas pipelines has been developed by scientists in the UK. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:36:36 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111012083623.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111007073153.htm Scientists are investigating a possible link between tiny particles of pollution found in diesel fumes and the global collapse of honey bee colonies. Fri, 07 Oct 2011 07:31:31 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111007073153.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111006162537.htm Scientists have overcome one major obstacle to artificial photosynthesis, a promising technology that simultaneously reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide and produces fuel. They have now used an ionic liquid to catalyze the conversion of CO₂ to CO, the first step in making fuel, greatly reducing the energy required to drive the process. Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:25:25 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111006162537.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004221121.htm Constructing buildings, power plants and roads has driven a substantial increase in China's carbon dioxide emission growth, according to a new study. Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:11:11 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004221121.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004121301.htm It is unlikely the United States will meet some specific biofuel mandates under the current Renewable Fuel Standard by 2022 unless innovative technologies are developed or policies change. Tue, 04 Oct 2011 12:13:13 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111004121301.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110929122852.htm Researchers have demonstrated that the size of a metal alloy nanoparticle influences the speed with which hydrogen gas is released when stored in a metal hydride. The smaller the size of the nanoparticle, the greater the speed at which the hydrogen gas makes its way to the fuel cell. Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:28:28 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110929122852.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110927134254.htm Researchers have identified a terpene called bisabolane as a potential biofuel for replacing diesel fuel. The researchers have also engineered two strains of microbes -- a bacteria and a yeast -- that can be used in the biosynthetic production of this clean, green, renewable and domestic alternative to diesel fuel. Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:42:42 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/09/110927134254.htm