Source: R&D Magazine, 6/17/13.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) chemical engineers have devised a cheaper way to synthesize a key biofuel component, which could make its industrial production much more cost effective.
The compound, known as gamma-valerolactone (GVL), is attractive because of its versatility, says Yuriy Roman, an ass. prof. of chemical engineering and leader of the research team. It has more energy than ethanol and could be used on its own or as an additive to other fuels. GVL could also be useful as a “green” solvent or a building block for creating renewable polymers from sustainable materials.
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