Louisiana Tech researchers are exploring ways of using nanotechnology to improve the cellulosic ethanol processes.

"Louisiana Tech Professors James Palmer, Yuri Lvov, Dale Snow and Hisham Hegab say biofuels will play an important part in sustainable fuel and energy production solutions for the future," according to UPI. "But the professors say the nation's appetite for fuel cannot be satisfied with just traditional crops, such as sugar cane or corn... they note emerging technologies are allowing cellulosic biomass (wood, grass, stalks, etc.) to also be converted into ethanol."

"The nanotechnology processes developed at Louisiana Tech University can immobilize the expensive enzymes used to convert cellulose to sugars, allowing them to be reused several times over and, thus significantly reducing the overall cost of the process," according to a university press release. "Savings estimates range from approximately $32 million for each cellulosic ethanol plant to a total of $7.5 billion if a federally-established goal of 16 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol is achieved."

More here from tce today ... and the press release is here.