Electrolyte systems are ubiquitous, and their presence plays critical roles in many aspects of industrial and natural processes. Process simulation, a key enabling technology for smart manufacturing, can proceed with electrolyte systems only when accurate and comprehensive thermodynamic models...

For the biofuels industry, 2014 has proven to be a breakthrough year. Three new, commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plants started production in the United States.  In addition two global facilities in Brazil and Italy came online along with many other plants in the planning stages in...

The carboxylate platform capitalizes on fermentations that are thermodynamically driven, and hence does not require sterile operating conditions or genetic engineering. Without the need for externally added enzymes, these fermentations depolymerize biomass components (e.g., cellulose)...

Simple sugars (mono and disaccharides) are reactive molecules that can be converted biologically or chemically into fuels, chemicals, food, and animal feed.  Significant quantities of simple sugars occur in sugarcane, sugar beets, sweet sorghum, and a few other plants. In nature, these...

Biomass resources (e.g., wood, grasses, agricultural residues, and municipal wastes) can contribute significantly to US fuel and electrical power requirements.  One possible pathway to use biomass is thermochemical conversion. This process uses heat — with or without a...

We take the modern, developed world for granted. This is a mistake. The amenities (e.g., wealth, education, health care, mobility, etc.) enjoyed in developed nations depend on consuming abundant energy, about 85% of which is derived from fossil resources (oil, coal, and natural gas)....