Bioenergy Systems

The United States is facing critical energy-related challenges in the 21st Century. Shifting our economy away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources (such as bioethanol and biohydrogen) will address our long-term prospects for energy growth, energy security, and climate protection. Researchers at the Center for Environmental Biotechnology are collaborating with the Bioenergy Science Center at the Oak Ridge National Laboratories (http://genomicsgtl.energy.gov/centers/center_ORNL.shtml) on cellulose deconstruction and modeling to better understand efficient routes for bioethanol (or other biofuels) generation. In addition, CEB researchers are exploring multiple routes for biological hydrogen production.

Current research projects include:

• Microbial Fuel Cells for H2 Production
• Algal Systems for H2 Production
• H2 Production via Photosystem II
• Marshlands as a Source of Lignocellulose-degrading Microoganisms.
• Yeast Reporter Systems for Monitoring Cellulose Deconstructing